How work has changed in 50 years

[andrewducker]

This was sent round by someone at work, and they gave me permission to share the non-identifying bits:

I started on 20th December 1970. My 51 years is up on the 19th December, the day I retire.

When I first started there were no computers, one telephone between 8 people and only mechanical calculators (such as Brunsviga), or slide rules, or abaci. I had a mechanical device called the Goblin. No idea why.

One of my first jobs was to empty the grate and light the coal fire in the morning. Empty the ashtrays (smoking was compulsory), refill the inkwells and replenish the blotting paper. Although quill pens were virtually gone by then (the new-fangled fountain pen was the writing implement of choice) one old buffer insisted that I sharpen his quill every morning (not an innuendo) and thus I acquired the department penknife. Gradually the biro pen was introduced much to the chagrin of all.

My first major project was decimalisation in February 1971. It went exceptionally well. There was no IT involvement. Things have been getting more complex and difficult to do ever since.

It really is amazing how much things can change in a lifetime. From sharpening quills to everything being on the web!

Comments

[gingicat]

I needed something to make me feel young, thank you :)

(I'm 51 years old, turning 52 in February. Clearly I'm even more Gen X, the bridge generation, than I'd thought previously!)

[cmcmck]

I started work after leaving uni in the seventies. No mobiles, no PC's and using a typewriter.

Still remember things like Gestetner and Roneo machines for printed reproductions.

OHPs were the next big thing!

I could have used a cane on the kids I taught, not that I ever dreamed of doing it.

[agoodwinsmith]

The bit about the ashtrays and compulsory smoking is true. *nods* (Onlookers cannot tell if it is feebleness or actual intent.)

[anef]

When I started work as an accountant (1982) we had calculators but no computers. Spreadsheets were pads of A3 paper, and you drew up a set of accounts by manually entering numbers (in pencil) and adding them up across the page and down (usually over several sheets) until they added up correctly. There was a lot of rubbing out.

Sets of accounts were typed up by the secretaries and then each was read over by a pair of juniors, one reading every word and number aloud to the other. They were then re-checked using a calculator.

Nobody does any of this nowadays! I believe juniors are more usefully employed, but accounts do tend to have more typos in them.