12 Gadgets We Thought Would Last Forever

Some inventions seemed like they’d be here for good. These 12 didn’t stand the test of time.

1. The Segway: A Revolutionary Ride to Nowhere

Remember when the Segway was going to revolutionize personal transportation? Cities would be designed around these futuristic scooters, and walking would become a quaint relic of the past. Fast forward to today, and you’re more likely to see a Segway collecting dust in a storage room than cruising down Main Street. Despite its promise of effortless travel, it turns out most people preferred the classic combination of two legs and a good pair of shoes.

2. The PalmPilot: The Original Smart Pocket Companion

Before smartphones became our digital lifelines, the PalmPilot was the epitome of portable tech. It could store your contacts, manage your calendar, and even run a few apps—assuming you could master the cryptic language of Graffiti. But as phones got smarter, the PalmPilot got left behind, relegated to the tech graveyard alongside pagers and floppy disks.

3. LaserDisc: The Future of Home Entertainment (for a Minute)

LaserDiscs were supposed to be the next big thing in home video, offering superior picture and sound quality to VHS tapes. They were shiny, high-tech, and roughly the size of a manhole cover. But while LaserDisc aficionados swore by them, most consumers weren’t ready to trade in their VCRs for something that required flipping a disc halfway through a movie. DVDs soon arrived on the scene, and the LaserDisc quietly faded into obscurity.

4. The Betamax: A Battle Lost to the VHS

Betamax, Sony’s pride and joy, was technically superior to VHS in almost every way—better picture, better sound, better everything. But in the format wars of the ’80s, VHS won out, mainly because it was cheaper and offered longer recording times. Today, Betamax is a footnote in tech history, a reminder that being the best doesn’t always guarantee success.

5. The Compact Disc: Shiny Discs That Dethroned Vinyl, Briefly

When CDs hit the market, they were hailed as the ultimate in audio fidelity, promising to make scratchy vinyl records a thing of the past. And for a while, they did. But then digital downloads and streaming services came along, and suddenly, those jewel cases started collecting dust. Nowadays, vinyl has made a comeback, while CDs are mostly reserved for nostalgia trips and old car stereos.

6. Google Glass: Augmented Reality That Never Quite Took Off

Google Glass was supposed to be the next evolution in tech—glasses that did more than just correct your vision. They could project information right in front of your eyes, turning you into a walking, talking smartphone. But after a lot of hype and a few awkward social encounters (turns out people don’t like being filmed without permission), Google quietly put Glass on the back burner. It seems not everyone was ready for a world of perpetual augmented reality.

7. The Concorde: Supersonic Speed That Didn’t Last

The Concorde was the epitome of luxury travel, whisking passengers across the Atlantic at twice the speed of sound. It was fast, sleek, and stylish, but also noisy, expensive, and not exactly fuel-efficient. When costs soared and demand dropped, the Concorde was retired, and with it, the dream of supersonic commercial flights. Now, it’s just a memory, parked in aviation museums for tourists to admire.

8. Myspace: The Social Network That Got Left Behind

Before Facebook ruled the social media universe, Myspace was the go-to platform for connecting with friends, sharing music, and showing off your HTML skills. It was a place to express yourself, with customizable profiles and a “Top 8” that could make or break friendships. But as Facebook rose to dominance, Myspace slowly faded away, leaving behind only fond memories and abandoned friend requests.

9. The Polaroid Camera: Instant Gratification That Lost to Digital

Polaroid cameras were the original Instagram—snap a picture, shake it, and voilà, an instant print. They were the life of the party, perfect for capturing those spur-of-the-moment memories. But when digital cameras took over, with their endless storage and ability to delete bad shots, Polaroids were pushed aside. They’ve made a retro comeback recently, but they’re a far cry from the instant photo giants they once were.

10. The Fax Machine: Yesterday’s Email

The fax machine was once the cutting-edge way to send documents quickly, a marvel of 1980s technology. Offices were filled with the sound of paper slowly churning through these noisy machines. But as email became the norm, fax machines became relics of a bygone era, now only seen in dentist offices and government buildings where technology seems to have hit pause.

11. The Beeper: A Buzzing Reminder of the Pre-Cell Phone Era

Before everyone had a cell phone glued to their hand, beepers were the height of convenience. Doctors, businesspeople, and even the occasional teenager could be instantly reachable with a quick “beep.” But as mobile phones became more affordable and accessible, beepers were swiftly forgotten. They now serve as a quirky reminder of a time when a vibrating gadget on your belt meant you were important—or at least pretending to be.

12. The Walkman: Portable Music’s First Love

Sony’s Walkman was a game-changer, allowing people to take their music on the go for the first time. Whether you were jogging, commuting, or just ignoring your parents, the Walkman was your soundtrack. But then came the iPod, and later, smartphones, making the cassette-based Walkman feel like a dinosaur. It might still hold a special place in the hearts of those who grew up in the ’80s, but as for everyone else, it’s just a relic of the past.

13 Nostalgic Toys Every 90s Kid Loved

Growing up in the 90s meant playing with some unforgettable toys. These classics bring back memories of simpler times and endless fun. See which ones you remember best.

13 Nostalgic Toys Every 90s Kid Loved

14 Toys from the 80s That You’d Love to Have Again

The 80s were a decade that gifted the world with big hair, neon everything, and a treasure trove of unforgettable toys. Whether you were a child hoarding your sticker album or begging for one of the hottest action figures, there’s no doubt those retro toys had a unique magic. Let’s take a trip back to some of the iconic playthings that made the 80s one of the most fun, plastic-fantastic decades in history. Here are 14 toys that you’d happily reclaim, if only for that sweet wave of nostalgia.

14 Toys from the 80s That You’d Love to Have Again

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