10 Things That DISAPPEARED in Each Year of the '90s
10 Things That Disappeared in Each Year of the 90s
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at things that disappeared from each year of the 1990s.
1990: ARPANET
Introduced in the late 60s against a Cold War backdrop, the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network, or ARPANET, was proposed as a way to exchange resources between computers. If that concept sounds familiar, it’s because ARPANET was essentially the earliest predecessor to the internet. Almost two decades before the World Wide Web became a reality, ARPANET connected four computers from American universities. Although ARPANET would expand its reach across the U.S. and to Europe, it was ultimately a stepping stone to the modern internet, which became the dominant force of cyberspace. The internet was more open to the public than ARPANET, which came with restrictions as a government-funded project. By 1990, ARPANET was decommissioned, being folded into the internet as we know it today.
1991: The Soviet Union
Of all the countries that don’t exist anymore, the Soviet Union perhaps made the loudest noise when it officially dissolved on December 26, 1991. Of course, empires don’t crumble overnight, especially ones as big as this. As powerful as the USSR was at its peak, even rivaling the United States, its strength had been waning with the Chernobyl disaster, the war in Afghanistan, and the Fall of the Berlin Wall, among various other economic and political misfires. Mikhail Gorbachev sought reform, with policies like glasnost expanding freedom of speech. Even this proved to be divisive, though, leading to a coup in August 1991. While the coup was a failure, it signified the end of the Soviet Union, which would collapse four months later.
1992: Atari 2600
Before there were true console wars, Atari stood pretty much unopposed, Intellivision arguably being its strongest competitor. Atari was synonymous with the industry. Unfortunately, that industry’s future was called into question with the video game crash of 1983. Even with that crash and the rise of the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Atari 2600 remained in production until 1992. It even outlived its intended successor, the Atari 5200. That said, Atari’s newer consoles struggled to compete with emerging giants like the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. After a fifteen-year run, the Atari 2600 was retired in 1992 along with the Atari 7800. The Atari Jaguar came out the following year, although it was another sign that Atari had peaked with the 2600.
1993: Women’s Royal Naval Service
With World War I increasing the need for soldiers at sea, the United Kingdom introduced the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Wrens, as they were called, assumed duties like cooking, communications, and meteorology, among others. While few Wrens would see combat, many were involved in codebreaking, radar plotting, and analysing weapons. Although the branch was disbanded following the war, it was revitalized during World War II. Even after the Second World War ended in 1945, Wrens remained a staple of the Royal Navy for almost another five decades. By 1993, it was decided that the Women's Royal Naval Service should no longer be a separate branch. It was merged with the Royal Navy, reflecting a changing landscape that allowed women to serve on ships.
1994: Nirvana
Various bands continued even after losing a key member. With Kurt Cobain’s tragic passing, though, Nirvana died alongside its lead singer. The future of the generation-defining grunge band was already called into question, as Cobain’s history of substance use led to health issues and other conflicts. Nirvana played what would be their final concert in Munich on March 1, 1994. The following month, on the heels of several cancelled performances, Cobain was found dead. His fatal injuries were deemed self-inflicted, although conspiracy theorists questioned whether his wife, Courtney Love, played a role. Drummer Dave Grohl went on to form Foo Fighters, while Krist Novoselic has played with several music acts. Grohl and Novoselic have even performed together since, but without Cobain, there’s no Nirvana.
1995: “Calvin and Hobbes”
A premise so simple yet so smart, funny, and poignant, Bill Watterson’s comic strip chronicled the misadventures of the brutally honest Calvin and a tiger named Hobbes. First published in 1995, Watterson decided to retire his acclaimed comic after a phenomenal ten-year run. The final strip was printed on December 31, 1995, with Calvin saying, “It’s a magical world, Hobbes, ol' buddy... Let’s go exploring!” We live in an age where finality means nothing. Even when something ends, it’s revived. Watterson never wavered from his decision to conclude “Calvin and Hobbes,” however. He’s also prevented it from becoming a corporate-owned franchise. While part of us will always want to see “Calvin and Hobbes” return in some official capacity, endings don’t get more perfect than this.
1996: USA Cartoon Express
In 1982, the USA Network launched the USA Cartoon Express, the first cable block dedicated to animation. Yes, Nickelodeon already existed by this point, but that channel wouldn’t find its footing with the Nicktoons until the early 90s. In many ways, USA Cartoon Express foreshadowed what Nickelodeon would become, almost feeling like a place kids could visit. All you had to do was hop aboard a train, where the Ninja Turtles, Real Ghostbusters, and various Hanna-Barbera characters were waiting. That said, the block lost a significant chunk of its library when the Hanna-Barbera shows moved to Cartoon Network. The block continued to chug along, but by September 1996, the Cartoon Express made its last voyage to pave the way for the USA Action Extreme Team.
1997: F. W. Woolworth Company
When a brand name exists for more than a century, you just assume that it’s going to be around forever. That was certainly the case with Woolworth, which started as a New York-based five-cent store in 1879. It laid the foundation for the F. W. Woolworth Company, which entered the corporate world in 1905. Woolworth continued to expand, although by the 80s, it was struggling to keep up with other retailers. Athletic supplies proved to be a saving grace. Woolworth would officially close in 1997, although its remnants lived on through Foot Locker, which Dick’s Sporting Goods later acquired. While you may find stores outside of the U.S. that bear the Woolworth name, the original remains a fallen titan built on nickels and dimes.
1998: McDonald’s McDLT
Arriving on the menu in 1985, the McDLT, standing for McDonald’s Lettuce and Tomato, is perhaps best remembered for a commercial starring a pre-George Costanza Jason Alexander. Ironically, the McDLT’s lifespan ended the same year that “Seinfeld” aired its finale in 1998. Supposedly, the McDLT was retired due to its polystyrene container, which was designed to keep one side hot and the other cold, but the wrapping wasn’t great for the environment. It’s also probably not a coincidence that a year before the McDLT was discontinued, McDonald’s introduced the Big N' Tasty, which was fairly similar. Regardless, the fact that people still recall the jingle, packaging, and Alexander’s hair decades later is a testament to the McDLT’s staying power.
1999: Talkboy
Every 90s kid wanted to be Kevin McCallister, although owning a Talkboy was perhaps the closest they ever came. Aside from listening to music, this recording device could be used for sound effects and slowing down one’s voice, even if it never worked as well as “Home Alone 2” and the commercials depicted. Despite stemming from a 1992 film, the Talkboy, along with Talkgirl, Talkboy Jr., and other variants, continued to sell for almost seven years. By 1999, though, the “Home Alone” franchise had seen better days. What’s more, cassette tapes were becoming increasingly obsolete, not just because of CDs, but the rise of digital audio. It makes sense that Talkboy went defunct in 1999, the same year that Napster hit the scene.
What things do you miss the most that haven’t been seen since the 90s? Let us know in the comments.
