35 Weird Jobs In The World That No Longer Exist

Due to today’s growing technological landscape, occupations like social media managers or content creators have become very common. These jobs didn’t even exist 15 years ago. Similarly, before technology and machines took over, there were many interesting old jobs that no longer exist today.

These obsolete jobs which existed in the 80’s but no longer relevant now may seem bizarre and surreal to us now. However, they played a crucial role in society in those times. As technology evolved, societal needs evolved as well and these old professions faded away in time. 

Let’s have a look at 35 of the weirdest old jobs that no longer exist. 

35 Old Jobs That No Longer Exist

While some of these jobs may not be completely obsolete, they might have just evolved to fit the current requirements better. Let’s have a look at the most unusual careers from the past. 

1. Human Computer

Before electronic computers, human computers were essential for doing complex calculations. In the 70s, these human computers that were mostly women, would work in teams to solve long and complicated calculations by hand. 

Using graph paper and basic tools, some calculations could take up to a week to complete. 

They provided crucial data for scientific research in various fields such as astronomy, engineering, and finance. They were also hired by NASA and were crucial to the success of many of their early space missions. There is also a movie named Hidden Figures based on these human calculators who worked for NASA. 

Thankfully, this is one of the most popular jobs that are irrelevant now, sparing us from the dreadful task of manual mathematical calculations.

2. Knocker Upper  

Knocker Uppers, also known as knocker-ups, were people hired to be alarm clocks to ensure everyone else wakes up on time.

Before alarms were invented, these knocker uppers used to stay up all night to wake other people up in the morning. 

They would walk the streets with a long stick, tapping on windows, shooting peas and making loud noises to wake people up for work. This profession was especially common in industrial towns in the UK.

Thanks to alarm clocks, this is one of the old jobs that no longer exist.

3. Leech Collector

In the 19th century, leeches were very common for medicinal purposes. Medical practitioners believed that these worms would suck toxic blood and diseases out of the body. 

Leech collectors made their way through marshes and ponds to gather leeches used for medicinal bloodletting. They used to use their own legs to attract the leeches. 

This was a hazardous job, as collectors often suffered infections from leech bites. The profession eventually stopped as more diseases began to spread because of it and technology was already advancing.  

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4. Ice Cutter

Before refrigerators were invented, people had to find creative ways to keep their drinks chilled and food preserved. Ice cutting became a significant business during the winter months. Ice cutters harvested blocks of ice from frozen lakes and rivers, transporting them to homes and businesses.

This ice was stored  and sold throughout the year to keep food cool. The job was dangerous due to extreme weather conditions, in addition to risks of frostbite and falling into freezing waters.

Thankfully, with the invention of refrigerators in the 1930s, ice cutting became obsolete, eliminating the need for this hazardous occupation.

5. Lamplighter 

Before electric street lights, a lamp lighter would manually go around town to burn and extinguish gas-burning street lamps. 

This job was very common till the late 19th century. However, in the 20th century, when gas was replaced by electricity, lamplighters were no longer needed.

This job is still practiced in some parts of the world, just to keep the tradition alive. 

6. Pin Setter

In bowling alleys, pinsetters used to manually reset the pins after each round. This was a labor-intensive job, usually done by young boys. 

The pinsetters used to wait at the end of the lane, reset pins and collect balls after every turn. This was eventually replaced by automated pin-setting machines invented by Gottfried Schmidt in 1936.

Thankfully, this is one of the old jobs that no longer exist. Can you imagine how boring it would have been? 

7. Linotype Operator

Linotype Operators used the linotype machine to manually print newspapers and magazines. These were complex machines that used a hot-metal typesetting in which all letters, numbers and spaces had to be manually arranged to create texts.

They played a crucial role in the publishing industry until the 20th century when digital printing became popular. 

8. Lector

Imagine listening to a podcast, but with the host live in front of you. That’s right! This is what lectors did– provide entertainment to factory employees by reading a newspaper or book aloud. 

These lectors would stand on an elevated platform and read so that the entire factory could hear properly. 

This practice helped improve literacy and provided a cultural education to factory workers. This unusual career was dismissed later as it was getting too distracting to work. 

9. Rat Catcher

In the Victorian era, it was common to employ young boys to chase and capture rats. Rat infestation problem had significantly increased in cities leading to spread of diseases. 

These catchers were responsible for controlling the populations of rats. Once captured, these rats were either sold as house pets, or poisoned in an effort to eradicate them and prevent the spread of any disease. 

10. Resurrectionist

Resurrectionists, also known as body snatchers, had a rather odd task to do– they were responsible for digging out recently buried bodies for doctors and medical colleges. 

As modern medicine grew, the demand for corpses grew as well. However, obtaining a dead body ethically and legally was rather difficult. 

This profession thus arose, due to the scarcity of legal cadavers. Resurrectionists happily dug out freshly buried bodies for a hefty fee making this one of the most weird jobs in the world.

11. Cigarette Girl

In the early 1900s, bars and nightclubs hired young women as salesgirls to sell cigarettes, candy, and other items. 

They wore a pillbox hat and carried a tray around their neck with a selection of goodies. Their eye-catching uniforms and charm made a major part of sales strategy for bars, clubs and restaurants. 

The cigarette girl became a popular cultural icon, and by the 1950s, other events and industries also started to hire them. However, awareness towards smoking grew and people’s attitudes changed, making the career a thing of the past.

12. Aircraft Listener

The invention of radar made a huge impact on air defense. However, before World War II when radar was not invented, the government employed men to detect the sound of aircrafts. 

They used concrete acoustic mirrors and other instruments to detect the sound of approaching enemy aircraft. While this was effective, it often was a very close call as the aircrafts would be too close by the time the sound was detected. 

This early form of air defense became obsolete with the advent of radar technology but some of these acoustic mirrors still stand as popular monuments. 

13. Punch Card Operator

Before things went completely digital, many companies used paper punch to store and track data. 

These punch card operators created and managed punch cards that were used in early computers and data processing machines. The machines would then read the data entered in the punch card. 

This job involved precision and attention to detail to ensure data accuracy. However, due to human errors, the outcome was not always accurate. Although obsolete, the same job requirements still exist in a more state of the art form. 

14. Chimney Sweep

With its peak during the Industrial Revolution, this job has existed for centuries. These door-to-door chimney sweepers were called ‘knellers’. 

They were responsible for cleaning and inspecting chimneys. This was considered a dangerous job for young boys who could fit into narrow flues, as it would often lead to accidents and severe health issues.

15. Clockwinder

In the middle ages, clock keepers maintained and wound large clocks in public buildings and homes. These clocks were responsible for ringing a central alarm bell several times a day that played a huge role for the local community. 

Before the development of self-winding mechanisms, The clock keepers ensured that clocks kept accurate time.

Clockwinders received high salaries as the job required high skills and mathematical knowledge.

16. Lipstick Tester

This has to be one the most weird jobs in the world that has ever existed. Back in the 1950s, lipstick testers were employed by cosmetic companies and laboratories to check the quality, durability and color of the lipsticks. 

These tests often involved a group of volunteer women who participated by kissing one random man. The job of this man was just to get kissed all day by the women.

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17. Town Crier

This job was particularly common in medieval England. These town criers were the primary means of spreading news, announcements, court orders or any important information around the town. 

They would shout announcements in public squares and streets so everyone could hear the news. They would often ring a bell and shout “Oyez” which means ‘hear ye’ to gather attention. After delivering the message, they would post a note on the doors of local bars and restaurants. 

Although this job no longer exists thanks to digital media, unofficial town criers have been found to occasionally announce important news. 

18. Breaker Boy

Breaker boys, usually children between the age of 8 to 10, worked in coal mines to break large chunks of coal into smaller pieces and remove impurities. 

This labor intensive job was extremely hazardous and done in harsh conditions. Despite several attempts against the continuation of the job, it still lasted until the 1920s until child labor laws became stricter. 

19. Herb Strewer

During the 16th and 17th centuries, hygiene and cleanliness was not very common. Many cities did not have a proper sewage system or basic plumbing, leading to unpleasant smells. 

The herd strewer was responsible for scattering fragrant herbs and flowers in the homes and public spaces of the wealthy to mask unpleasant odors. They used plants like basil, chamomile and lavender for this. 

This practice was common before the advent of modern sanitation and the invention of perfume.

20. Midwifery

Midwifery is known as the second oldest profession in the world, dating back to the Paleolithic era (40,000 B.C.) Midwives were the primary providers of maternity care for pregnant women. 

Due to a lack of medical options, pregnant women were often required to give birth in life-threatening conditions. These women provided support during childbirth based on their knowledge and skills they learned from observing their surrounding animals. They had no formal medical training. 

While midwifery still exists, the role has dramatically changed. Today, midwifery is a regulated profession with extensive medical education. It is not only the second oldest profession in the world, but also a very respectable one.

21. Nomenclator

Nomenclators were attendants who assisted politicians by whispering or announcing the names of people approaching, ensuring that their employers could greet them appropriately. 

This job was particularly important in ancient Rome and during the Renaissance. This practice helped politicians appear knowledgeable and approachable.

22. Groom of the Stool

Another one making it to the list is the groom of the stool, one of the world’s craziest jobs to have existed. 

In medieval times, the kings of England hired a high-ranking courtier who assisted them with their toilet needs. Though it sounds like a crappy job, it actually came with a lot of power. It was considered a very intimate and trusted position as the groom of the stool had significant access to the kings. 

This has to be, without a doubt, one of the most strange jobs in the world. 

23. Mudlarks

These items were then resold to the public. However, it became obsolete in the early 1900s as it was viewed as unlawful. In recent times, metal-detectorists who search the foreshore identify themselves as modern mudlarks.

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24. Crossing Sweeper

Crossing Sweeper was a rather odd job that commonly relied on tips. Their job was to sweep dirt ahead of the path people were crossing. 

In the 19th century, rich people often hired them so their long skirts or coats didn’t come in contact with dirt or other debris. During this time, streets were commonly dirty and covered in horse manure. So wealthy citizens would happily tip the crossing sweepers to ensure they could cross the road without soiling their clothes. 

This profession was considered one step above a beggar. As it required no skills or cost to set up, other than the cost of a broom, many people opted for it.

25. Bematist

Before the era of Google Maps, people in ancient Greece used to rely on Bematists to measure distances to their destinations. Betamists were surveyors who calculated distances by counting their steps. 

Their precise measurements were crucial for mapping and building infrastructure in ancient civilizations. They often published their findings in monographs that listed distances between popular points along with other reports.  

As maps and measurement technologies developed, this is one of the old jobs that no longer exists.

26. Phrenologist

A Phrenologist was someone who studied the brain. They believed that the size and shape of a person’s skull could determine their character and mental abilities. They strongly believed that the shape of a head directly related to the person’s intelligence and called Phrenology “the only true science of mind.”

They would observe and examine different bumps and other prominent factors to diagnose people with personality disorders. They could even tell their client’s career path and love interest based on the shape of their head. 

This pseudoscience was popular in the 19th century but has since been discredited.

27. Switchboard Operator

In the early days of telephones, switchboard operators had to manually connect phone calls via a switchboard by plugging and unplugging cables.

This occupation was mostly dominated by female operators because women were considered to be more polite back then. This was a step up for them from the conventional female job roles from that time. 

This job was essential in the early days of telecommunication but vanished by the 1980s as digital telephones advanced. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that 43,830 switchboard operators still existed as of May 2023, but it’s now more of a customer service role to ensure callers reach the right department.

28. Flatulist

A flatulist was a professional farter who performed comedic acts involving flatulence. This unusual form of entertainment was surprisingly popular in medieval courts and at fairs. Their job description was as straightforward as it was unique: to pass gas in a creative, musical or amusing manner. 

These flatulists needed to have remarkable control on their abdomen and should have been able to break wind on command. This odd occupation is one of the most weird jobs in the world.

29. Muffin Man

During the Victorian times in England, hawkers would go and sell freshly baked muffins door-to-door early in the morning. These muffin men would carry a tray of these baked goods on their heads. 

Muffin men were so popular they even had a nursery rhyme, The Muffin Man, written about them. Sadly, the practice discontinued in the 20th century as modern bakeries took over. 

30. Toad Doctors

As odd as it may sound, doctors and medical researchers in the 1600s believed that toads had healing properties. 

Toad doctors used live toads to treat patients for problems like scrofula and warts. They used dried powdered toads to soothe inflammation and relieve headaches and skin conditions.

Thankfully medicine has evolved and advanced since then making this one of the old jobs that no longer exist.

31. Link-Boy

During the Middle Ages in London, link-boys guided people through dark streets at night. They used to carry burning torches to light the way. 

Many of these link-boys were privately employed, while there were some who used to wait on streets to offer their services to walking pedestrians in exchange for a small fee. 

This was not always safe as sometimes link-boys were known to be working with robbers. The link-boys would lead patrons into dark alleys where thieves waited. 

This job became obsolete when street lights became common.

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32. Soda Jerk

Soda jerks operated soda fountains in drugstores, preparing and serving flavored sodas, egg creams, milkshakes, ice cream sodas, and other drinks. 

These soda jerkers were usually young enthusiastic boys who would wear white coats, bowtie, a hat and work their charm on customers. 

This job was popular in the early to mid-20th century but as the dining industry evolved, soda fountains became less popular. However, there are still some soda jerkers in parts of the world to keep the tradition alive.

33. Plague Doctor

During the 14th century, plague doctors treated the victims of the bubonic plague that had rapidly spread. 

They used to wear distinctive beaked masks filled with aromatic substances to protect themselves from miasmas. They also used wooden cane to check the patients so they could avoid touching them. 

Their treatments were rudimentary and often ineffective. Essentially, their key job was to only record casualties and number of people who are sick for record keeping.

34. Telegraphist

A telegraphist, also known as telegraph operator,  was a vital job in the 19th and early 20th centuries before the advent of the telephone. The demand of the job and the salary that came with it was very high during wartime making it a popular choice. 

They played a huge role as they helped in transmitting and receiving messages via telegraph, using Morse code to communicate over long distances. 

A telegraphist was one of the first technological occupations of the modern era. However, as telegraphs became obsolete and morse code became outdated, the need for the role disappeared.

35. Lungs

Between the 14th and 16th centuries, alchemist shops employed people whose sole job was to fan the fires necessary for alchemical experiments and processes.

These people, ironically known as “lungs” were tasked with keeping the flames alive. However, this simple job came with severe health risks. 

The “lungs” were often exposed to toxic material and smoke. Due to this, the worker’s actual lungs eventually blackened and the job eventually faded. 

These 35 old jobs that no longer exist once played an integral role in daily lives. These old professions offer a fascinating glimpse into how quickly the world evolves; people are not even aware of some jobs that existed 50 years ago and some jobs that didn’t exist 10 years ago that are so important in today’s functioning. 

These unusual careers offer a glimpse into the ever-changing landscape of work and society’s changing needs.