Our weekly explanation of things from last century. 

Slimfast recall? Open letters from Facebook chairmen? Surprised kitties? That is so today, and uninspiring. It's not as innovative as the 20th Century. That century brought us so much: the Internet, the 21st Century, and so much more. This week, we cheer the yesteryear, with these now-pointless innovations.

THE ROTARY DIAL

What is it: Essential element of a landline telephone. Its creation eliminated millions of switchboard operator jobs for women named Sadie. Telephone user simply places digit or thumb in desired numbered hole and dials clockwise until finger aches, then removes finger to register number.

Not affiliated with: Rotary International.

Advantages: None.

Disadvantages: Takes forever to dial 911. Emoticon-unfriendly.

As Seen in the Movies: Telefon (1977), Americathon (1979), Get Smart (2008).

Web 2.0 connection: Like Google or Twitter, the rotary dial became a verb, as in: "Don't dial us, we'll dial you," and "I am drunk dialing you."

Replaced by: buttons, personal assistants.