What are some obsolete skills?

Question

I believe remembering telephone numbers are irrelevant because almost everyone owns a cellphone with a phone book that stores more numbers than any 'normal' human can.

Answer 1

I would say a switchboard operator,the caboose crew on freight trains,and spot welders on automotive assembly lines( robotic)

Answer 2

Your question made me think of my years as a Peace Corps Volunteer..

When I was getting ready to come home from the Peace Corps about 20 years ago, I was talking with the mailman/telegraph operator in the village where I was living and he asked me what I was planning on doing after I got back to the USA. I told him that I didn't know and he suggested that I learn Morse code and how to key a telegraph, as "there is always work for a good telegraph operator. He held an important and respected job in the very rural area where I was at the time so I didn't tell him that  that was an obsolete job in the USA

Answer 3

Building Connestoga wagons.

Home delivery of milk bottles

Answer 4

electric motor rewinders

Answer 5

Spelling?

Answer 6

I agree with you on the phone numbers.  I do have some numbers that I know by heart because they are the numbers I call most frequently and have had to call these numbers from other phones that did not have my stored directory.  But thats only like maybe 10 numbers out of the 100 or so that I call on atleast somewhat of a reg basis.  

Back in the day I knew everyones number by heart.