With the progress of tech products getting faster and faster, it’s only to be expected that a few technologies fall by the wayside in the process. Whether they eventually become obsolete or just never find a true niche, these creative inventions were great for their time but are virtually non-existent today.

The Telegraph
The first demonstration of this groundbreaking device in 1844 showed that messages could be transferred long distances almost instantaneously . The telegraph allowed for international communication, and paved the way for just about every modern communication technology.

ICQ
Before Instant Messenger, Twitter or Facebook, ICQ was what people used to chat online. It was pretty primitive – users had to have numbers instead of customizable handles – but it dominated the market for years until more advanced options become available.

MiniDisc
After the amazing success of the compact disc, companies tried to find ways to make data storage even smaller using similar technology. The MiniDisc actually offered great sound quality, but it was quickly abandoned for the MP3.

Steamships
Prior to the advent of coal-fired engines for boats, water travel either needed a huge amount of manpower or was dependent on the winds to cooperate. With the addition of a steam-powered motor, modern shipping became a possibility.

RealPlayer
Today, it’s impossible to think about the Internet without audio and video, but in the early days, you needed to use third-party software to watch and listen. Real Networks led the revolution with their often-buggy player, which was later replaced by faster, lighter products.