#21 Computers Didn't Turn Off By Themselves. You Had To Press The Button To Shut It Down After Seeing This Message
The OpenAI controversy was the very first known case of a group of automated AI agents “acting offensively without authorization.”
OpenAI promised to “centralize and standardize its incident response protocols” and ensure that “employee detection of misaligned behavior is triaged and escalated appropriately.” What’s more, the company said that it will “identify with more specificity which teams must be included in misalignment incident responses, including relevant security and safety personnel and other response functions.”
All of that is tech-bro and corpo-speak for “we messed up and promise to do better.” We’ll have to wait and see for the results.
#22 You Had To Go To A Place To Develop Your Pictures, A Process That Could Take Between 24 Hours And An Entire Week
#23 The Walkman Was Superb, Even Though The Batteries Ran Out Sharpish And Made The Tape Sound Demonic
However, not everyone is worried about the impact of artificial intelligence. For example, CNN reports that hobby stores, musical artists, and sewing shops are generating jobs in a tepid labor market.
Based on recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these categories saw the largest percentage employment gains during the 18 months ending in June 2026.
Specifically, hobby, toy, and game retailers added 35k jobs, which is a 29% spike. Musical groups and artists added 9k jobs, a whopping 25% increase. Meanwhile, sewing, needlework, and piece goods retailers added 7k jobs, or a spike of 24%.
#26 Taping Shows
Even though these 3 categories make up just 0.15% of the US labor force, combined they accounted for 9% of all jobs added to the market during that period.
Hobby, toy, and game store spending rose 27% in July compared to a year ago. And hobby-oriented categories are driving toy industry sales growth.
“People just want things that bring them joy and want a little break; they want to do things that are relaxing,” Kristen McLean, consumer analytics firm Circana’s vice president of client insights, told CNN.
Furthermore, US consumers are also spending more on beauty, self-care, cookbooks, small appliances, as well as home goods. They are, essentially, “investing in their house.”
#30 Blow Cartridges. It's Been Proven That Doing This Didn't Change A Thing, But It Felt Incredible Anyway
Which of these photos from the 1980s did you like the most? What tech and designs do you miss the most? On the other hand, what tech-related inconveniences are you glad the world moved away from in recent decades? What decade do you personally miss the most, and why?
Putting the past aside for a moment, what tech are you most excited about and wary of in 2026?
We want to hear your thoughts and stories! After you’ve upvoted your favorite pics, if you’re feeling social, join the discussion in the comments underneath these pics or at the very bottom of this list.
#36 The First Cellphone.. Motorola’s Dynatac 8000x, A 2-Pounder Priced At $3,995 In 1984
#38 Yamaha Dx7. A Synthesizer So Good, They Still Make New Versions Of It To This Day
