Back in My Day
This educational device had two reels and played grainy, sometimes terrifying science films.
What is a filmstrip projector?
Before dry erase markers, this was the only acceptable writing tool on the board.
What is chalk?
This "Little House on the Prairie" teacher taught in a one-room schoolhouse.
Who is Laura Ingalls Wilder?
This massive piece of machinery once printed your tests—if it didn’t jam.
What is the ditto machine or mimeograph?
You instantly recognized this smell that marked the start of standardized test week.
What is No. 2 pencil shavings or fresh Scantrons?
Before emails and apps, this book was passed down with scribbled notes and grim warnings from previous teachers.
What is the lesson plan binder or sub folder?
This daily ritual involved opening the windows, clapping erasers, and hoping not to inhale too much dust.
What is cleaning chalkboards?
This fictional teacher from Welcome Back, Kotter came back to teach in his old Brooklyn school.
Who is Mr. Kotter?
You had to feed film into this machine carefully, or face the wrath of a jam mid-lesson.
What is a reel-to-reel projector?
No real teacher ever left the building with one of these still fully intact.
What is a red pen or coffee mug?
You knew you were in trouble when the principal reached for this old-school communication device.
What is the intercom?
Teachers often kept one of these on their desks to make a point—literally.
What is a wooden pointer stick?
This stern but lovable British teacher starred in the 1967 film To Sir, With Love.
Who is Mr. Thackeray?
This overhead tool used transparencies, vis-a-vis markers, and often overheated mid-lecture.
What is an overhead projector?
Before PDFs and email, you had to beg for these precious items from the office to make copies.
What are master sheets or copy forms?
Before photocopiers, this fragrant, purple-inked device made worksheets.
What is a ditto machine or mimeograph?
Students would line up at the board to solve these math drills under pressure.
What are chalkboard races or timed facts?
This teacher inspired students with the phrase “Carpe Diem” in Dead Poets Society.
Who is Mr. Keating?
This computer, introduced to schools in the '80s, made typing class a lot more exciting.
What is the Apple II?
Every teacher had a drawer full of these surprise survival tools: cough drops, mints, and these sweets.
What are hard candies? (e.g., Werther’s Originals)
These once-ubiquitous school tools came with two holes and were often used as percussion instruments by bored kids.
What are metal pencil sharpeners or binder rings?
This classic classroom punishment involved facing the wall and reconsidering life choices.
What is writing lines or standing in the corner?
This cartoon teacher is best known for saying “Wah wah wah” in Charlie Brown.
Who is Miss Othmar?
Teachers carefully stacked cassette tapes in these boxes before pushing “play” on this machine.
What is a tape recorder or cassette player?
Teachers from this era always seemed to have one of these on the desk — more for intimidation than telling time.
What is a giant analog clock or desk bell?