Top 5 Obscure Input Devices That Deserve a Modern Revival

Forgotten Input Devices: A Fun Look Back at Tech We Used to Love

Remember the floppy disk? Or that weird little ball that sat on your desk and rolled around? No, not your pet hamster — we’re talking tech here!

In today’s world of sleek touchscreens, AI voice assistants, and lightning-fast keyboards, it’s easy to forget the gadgets that once ruled our desks. Get ready to take a stroll down memory lane and explore some really cool — and often hilarious — forgotten input devices. These devices were once high-tech heroes, but now they live in the shadows, waiting for someone to remember their glory days.

What Are Input Devices, Anyway?

Before we dive into the cool old stuff, let’s talk about what an input device actually is. Basically, input devices are tools or gadgets you use to interact with a computer. You’ve probably used a keyboard or a mouse today — both are classic examples of input devices.

But did you know there were tons of other ways people used to talk to their computers before touchscreens took over the world? Grab a snack and get comfy! We’re taking you on a rollercoaster ride through time with the top forgotten input devices that once ruled techdom.

1. The Trackball: The Mouse’s Weird Cousin

Imagine a mouse that’s flipped upside down. That’s kind of what a trackball is. Instead of moving the whole device around your desk, you just spin the ball with your fingers. Easy, right?

Trackballs were super popular in the ’80s and ’90s — especially in design software, arcade games, and weird science labs (we see you, Bill Nye!). But over time, regular mice became more precise and trackballs kind of rolled out of fashion. Literally.

• Pro: Great for tight desk spaces.
• Con: Collected dust like it was a treasure hunter.

Still, there are some hardcore fans who swear trackballs are better than modern mice. To each their own!

2. Joysticks: More Than Just for Video Games

Joysticks were the OG gaming tool. People used them not just for arcade games, but also for flight simulators, driving games, and other serious tasks like controlling military drones (yes, really!).

But as game controllers evolved, the joystick got left behind, like a confused grandpa at a TikTok party.

• Pro: Great for immersive gaming.
• Con: Not very practical for typing an email… unless you’re really into adventure.

Even though today’s gaming setups look like spaceships, some gamers still pull out a joystick for old-school fun or serious flight sims.

3. Light Pens: The Magic Wand You Never Had

A light pen sounds like something out of a wizard movie, right? But in the 1960s and ‘70s, it was cutting-edge tech. You could actually point it at your screen to draw or select objects. It was like touching the screen — but with a pen. Before touchscreens even existed!

The light pen was a pioneer, but sadly, it had one big problem: it only worked with special types of monitors. Plus, try holding your arm up to the screen for more than five minutes. Tired yet?

• Pro: Fun and direct way to draw on the screen.
• Con: Total arm workout. Not recommended after arm day at the gym.

4. Digital Drawing Tablets: Artists’ Best Kept Secret (Until Now)

Before iPads and fancy stylus pens, there were digital drawing tablets. These were flat devices where you’d draw with a pen, and the image would show up on your computer. It was like magic — if magic had a USB port.

Although tablets are still around (hello, Wacom), many early models were clunky and hard to use. But for many digital artists, these gadgets were the gateway to graphic greatness.

• Pro: Super precise control for drawing and editing.
• Con: Took time to learn. Like, a *lot* of time.

Nowadays, digital tablets are more advanced, but we can’t forget the old-school versions that walked so iPads could run.

5. Punch Cards: The Grandparents of Programming

Gather around, kids, for a story from the dawn of computing! A long, long time ago (like, 1940s), computers didn’t have screens or keyboards. People used punch cards — stiff paper cards with tiny square holes — to tell the computer what to do.

Each hole represented a bit of data or an instruction. If that sounds slow and painful… you are correct!

• Pro: It worked. And that’s saying a lot for that time.
• Con: Drop a stack of these and you’ve got 10 hours of sorting ahead of you.

Today, punch cards are mostly found in museums, but we owe a lot to them. They were one giant leap for computer-kind!

6. The Keyboard Overlay: The Ultimate Shortcut Guide

Ever see someone with a weird plastic cover over their keyboard, with tiny pictures or color codes? That was a keyboard overlay, and it was a pretty cool idea. Instead of memorizing 50 shortcuts for some video editing software, you’d slap this overlay on and boom — you’re a pro!

While functional, keyboard overlays didn’t age well. They were software-specific, could wear out, and sometimes got lost during office spring cleaning.

• Pro: Super helpful for fast work in specialized programs.
• Con: Only worked for one program. Not great for multitaskers.

7. The Spaceball: Not a Movie, but Still Out of This World

Okay, this one’s fun. A spaceball was a 3D motion controller — a rubbery-looking ball that let users move objects in 3D software. It’s like a mouse, joystick, and magic 8-ball had a baby.

Used mostly for CAD design and engineering, the spaceball helped people spin, rotate, and zoom into 3D models like a boss.

• Pro: Made navigating 3D space buttery smooth.
• Con: Useless for your Google Docs homework.

Unless you’re building a spaceship in AutoCAD, you probably don’t need one today — but they once had a strong following with designers and engineers.

Why Did These Input Devices Disappear?

There are a few reasons why these once-popular gadgets faded into the digital sunset:

• Technology outgrew them: Newer devices were faster, smaller, and easier to use.
• Cost and convenience: Nobody wants a cluttered desk anymore — minimalism, baby!
• Better design: Touchscreens, wireless connections, and smart sensors changed everything.
• User habits changed: Many people moved to mobile devices and voice-based commands.

Still, we can’t help but feel a little nostalgic for these funky, clever gadgets that helped shape the tech we have today.

Could Some of These Devices Come Back?

It might sound nuts, but yes — some of these forgotten input devices are slowly returning in new forms. For example:

• Trackballs now have sleek wireless versions for people with wrist pain.
• Digital drawing tablets are exploding with new features for artists and designers.
• Flight sticks (joysticks) are hot again in the world of VR and flight simulation games.

And guess what? Nostalgia sells! Some people are even collecting these old devices. They’re kind of like vintage records but for techies.

Final Thoughts: Let’s Not Forget the Forgotten

Tech moves fast, and it’s exciting to be part of that ride. But every once in a while, it’s fun — and important — to look back and remember where we came from. These forgotten input devices were stepping stones that led to today’s smart gadgets and touchscreens.

Now that you know what a spaceball is and how punch cards ruled the world, you’ve got some great talk for your next Zoom call or trivia night. And who knows? Maybe one of these quirky tools will make a comeback… retro-style!

So next time you tap your screen or say, “Hey Google,” give a little mental fist bump to the forgotten tech that helped get us here.

Thanks for joining us on this nerdy-fun trip down tech memory lane. If you’ve got old input devices lying around in your attic, don’t throw them out just yet — you might just be sitting on a piece of digital history!

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