For those of you who worked in an office in 1960's - 1980's

332 replies

Choccyhobnob · 14/09/2017 11:28

The childhood memories thread reminded me of something I have wondered for years!

I work in an office and have done for the last 12 years. I have never known a time before emails and photocopiers.

My question is this - what did you actually do? I just can't imagine how office life worked back then and I'm really interested!

Thank you for indulging my perhaps naïve questions!

OP posts:

Thread gallery

oldsilver · 14/09/2017 11:46

Lots of internal memos, all with a gazillion carbon copies for each of the recipients. All very carefully typed as rubbing out, Tippex liquid/sheets were a pain.

And lots and lots of filing all the replies would bring.

Not forgetting the joys of paper diaries and trying to set up meetings with attendees from all over the country.

GrockleBocs · 14/09/2017 11:43

Late 80s. Using microfiche to answer invoice queries. Using a PC to type letters. Putting things in envelopes. Using a dial up phone modem to submit orders to head office.

Ta1kinPeece · 14/09/2017 11:42

Banda copier
Telex
Fax
Post
Corded phones
lots of cigarettes

kittydetective · 14/09/2017 11:41

Telex
Fax
Phone calls
Pigeon hole post
Take post round
Tea runs
Mail run around 4 times a day
Switch board was actually plugging switches in

LOVED IT!

crumpet · 14/09/2017 11:40

Then wait for secretary to type up, then spend time correcting/amending by hand, then wait for it to be typed up again

crumpet · 14/09/2017 11:39

Dictaphone

Nakedavenger74 · 14/09/2017 11:36

Emails didn't really start until late 1990s and then it was mainly internal. I tell you what we did, we waited for the post and the fax machine. Use the phone A LOT. The fax machine would run red hot all day and we had a post room of 5 people!

I worked in a govt agency that did investigations.

Unflip

1 2 ··· 9 10 11 12 13 14

Swipe left for the next trending thread