One of the hallmarks of technology is that new advances are always happening. However, these everyday items have changed very little, if at all, since their invention.
1. Eyeglasses
The materials used to make eyeglasses and their frames have changed over the years to make them more durable, but they’ve remained the same functionally. Instead of being made from plain glass and heavy metal frames, however, modern eyeglasses are developed using optical lenses, and frames are made of plastics and lightweight metals.
1. Cutlery
When you think about it, the spoons, forks, and knives we use to prepare, serve, and eat food have hardly changed over the centuries. Today’s cutlery may not look like the crude implements used ages ago. Still, the mechanics, general shape, and purpose have remained the same.
2. Toasters
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 4 toaster](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/toaster.jpg)
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 4 toaster](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/toaster.jpg)
The most extensive alteration with toasters has been an increase in the number of bread slices they can toast at once and the larger openings to accommodate thicker types of bread like bagels. Toasters may come in different models, but they all generally work in the same way.
3. Pipe Fittings
Pipe fittings connect adjacent straight pipes. These devices help control water flow and direction around a building. They’re a plumbing necessity with no available alternative.
4. Musical Instruments
While some musical instruments have electrical versions, like guitars and keyboards, by and large, brass, woodwinds, strings, and percussion instruments have remained the same for centuries.
5. Trains
Of all the forms of land, sea, and air transportation, locomotives have seen the least amount of change. Trains used to be powered by steam engines but now employ diesel engines. Other than that, the mechanics of how they function, down to railroad tracks, have remained the same since their inception.
6. Indoor Toilets
In many respects, indoor commodes are genuinely the perfect invention. Current models may have a more decorative appearance than the original commodes. An improvement on this device has yet to materialize, though.
8. Shower Curtain Rods
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 9 shower curtain rod](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shower-curtain-rod.jpg)
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 9 shower curtain rod](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shower-curtain-rod.jpg)
This one may seem silly, but imagine showering in a doorless bathtub or stall without getting your floor wet. Can anyone think of an alternative mechanism that reliably keeps a shower curtain in place?
9. Cars
Automobiles have mostly stayed the same since the Model T. Of course, cars today are sleeker and much more advanced than earlier models, and hybrid and fully electric vehicles are gaining traction in the automotive market. But the basics – a motor-powered car on four wheels – are the same as in Henry Ford’s time.
10. Batteries
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 11 Duracell](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Duracell.jpg)
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 11 Duracell](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Duracell.jpg)
Batteries used to power small and large devices have mostly stayed the same, except for the development of rechargeable batteries. The most significant difference in batteries is their quality. More expensive name-brand batteries have a longer life and are less susceptible to leaks than dollar-store brand batteries.
11. Can Openers
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 12 Bean soup in the can](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shutterstock_30951430-scaled.jpg)
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 12 Bean soup in the can](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shutterstock_30951430-scaled.jpg)
Whether you use an electric can opener or swear by your manual opener, nothing else opens metal cans safely. Other cutting tools with the capacity to open metal cans also come with a high risk of injury, so can openers are hard to improve upon.
12. The Wheel
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 13 Wheeler ferris wheel, skyline of Oklahoma City in the background overlooking the Oklahoma River](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shutterstock_2151357987-scaled-e1682366745931.jpg)
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 13 Wheeler ferris wheel, skyline of Oklahoma City in the background overlooking the Oklahoma River](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shutterstock_2151357987-scaled-e1682366745931.jpg)
A perfect invention is the wheel. It’s the ideal shape to carry out whatever tasks require their usage. While they may come in different sizes and materials and are used for various things, can you imagine anything replacing the wheel?
13. Paper Printers
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 14 closeup of continuous paper printer in the office.](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shutterstock_1710550000-scaled-e1683903794146.jpg)
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 14 closeup of continuous paper printer in the office.](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shutterstock_1710550000-scaled-e1683903794146.jpg)
It feels like we’ve never had a paper printer that works. We keep buying the newer and better models, hoping they’ll fix the troubles we had with the previous ones, but they’re all frustrating and difficult to deal with. Maybe one day, printers will evolve into something better.
14. Dental Care
It doesn’t feel like there have been major advancements in dental care in recent years. Yes, your dentist learns new information, but really, they’re still using the same tools to clean your teeth.
15. Transportation
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 16 passenger bus](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/passenger-bus-1.jpg)
![15 Inventions That Haven't Changed Much Over The Years 16 passenger bus](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/passenger-bus-1.jpg)
Lately, public transportation has been in the news more and more as train systems are becoming more popular to install. But trains and buses are some of our oldest ways to transport mass groups of people, and we’re still looking at improving these methods instead of inventing new ones.
Freelance Writer and Technical Writer
Areas of expertise: Technology, user experience, pop culture, and entertainment.
Education: West Chester University of Pennsylvania and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Her articles have appeared in publications such as Wealth of Geeks, MSN (US), MSN Ireland, Flipboard, The Facts, The Cents of Money, A Dime Saved, The Times (Frankfort), Invested Wallet, Chronicle-Tribune, Mama of Five Blog, Lafourche Gazette, The Herald-Press, Kinda Frugal, Peru Tribune, and Financially Well Off. Stephanie Allen got her start in writing by teaching college writing and technical writing courses. She transitioned to working as a contract technical writer specializing in information technology. Her love for writing on various subjects led her to Wealth of Geeks.