As new inventions are created, other innovations are dying off. The past 10 years have seen the demise or near demise of many articles that one day astonished us.

For an example, look at the record and video store. Records stores that used to have vinyl records were morphed into stores that sold cassettes and CDs. Some of the vinyl records are making a comeback but only if you buy them at a flea market or antique store. Will the 8-track or the cassette tape make a comeback? I think not.

The CD is even changing as you read this. Everything is downloaded from the Internet to an iPod or mp3 player. So the record stores are dying or have already died.

Albums have gone by the wayside also. People buy songs one at a time to their iPod or mp3 player.

VHS tapes have almost disappeared and are replaced with a DVD. Camcorders no longer use tapes and soon the DVD will totally be replace by the memory stick.

Answering machines are being replaced by cellphone messages and the telephone as we once knew it, wired to our house is dying.  Long distance service has also been replaced by calling cards and the cell phone.

Where has all of the film gone? Digital cameras are replacing cameras with film. In fact the Museum has “put away” in storage some disposable cameras for later displays.

Remember the big TV with the round picture tube. Maybe not, but in 2000 TVs were still large and cumbersome. We once had a large TV in a wooden cabinet that was like a piece of furniture in our living room. Now TVs are thin and can hang on the wall.

Information has changed with TV Guide no loner useful because you can get the information on your TV. Looking in a newspaper for stock quotes are too slow when all you have to do is turn on your TV or cell phone. Encyclopedias are gone from the bookshelves and paper maps are no longer needed since you find your destination with a GPS in your car.

Even printed materials are being replaced with a Kindle, the cell phone and the computer. Everything that is printed today is available electronically. Haven’t you noticed how the newspaper is shrinking in size and information?

How do I feel about the death of all of these items? Some I will definitely miss! There is nothing like carrying a book, magazine or newspaper with you to be read in your spare moments. If women’s clothing always has pockets like men’s pants, it would be much easier to find your cell phone. I do appreciate that I can print my own pictures from my camera, but I’m not sure I will ever have an iPod.

All of these items will soon be buried in the past but somehow I think that in the future people will long for the good old useful items that are dying a quick death. The museum is collecting these items so that when its time for a little nostalgia the museum will provide the walk down memory lane.

What will be born in the next 10 years and quickly replaced? Those are all my thoughts for this day!