Infographic: The Evolution Of The Office Desk Rotary dial phones, calculators, fax machines, typewriters, floppy disks and more: these items that once dotted our work surfaces have disappeared from our lives today.

By Sindhu Hariharan

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock.com

Rotary dial phones, calculators, fax machines, typewriters, floppy disks and more: these items that once dotted our work surfaces have disappeared from our lives today. An infographic released by UK-based price discovery website Make it Cheaper, depicting the drastic transformations in our work desks over time, reveals that while average productivity is now 84% higher than it was 40 years ago, there are lesser items on our desks supporting this. The infographic itself is reminiscent of a video developed by BestReviews, which showcased the changing face of the work desk over the years.

With the passage of time, the typewriters of 1960's and 70's paved the way for personal computers of the 90's that were in turn quick to be replaced by the laptops used today. Even in terms of environment, multi-purpose spaces catering to both work and leisure have replaced the walled and formal cubicle office ambience of the era gone by. The infographic also depicts how if a telephone directory was an employee's best friend in the 70's, it is now difficult to get a day's work done without noise canceling headphones! It leaves the reader with a few thoughts on features that "smart" desks of the future are likely to include- here's to the next iteration of desks!

Image credit: Make it Cheaper.

Related: Office Interiors Say A Lot About Your Corporate Culture

Sindhu Hariharan

Former Features Editor, Entrepreneur Middle East

Sindhu Hariharan is the Features Editor at Entrepreneur Middle East.  She is a financial consultant turned business journalist with a FOMO when it comes to everything technology.

Business News

How to Write a Business Plan

Learn the essential elements of writing a business plan, including advice and resources for how to write and conduct each section of your business plan.

Marketing

April 21 Is Your Last Chance for Mobile Optimization Before 'Mobilegeddon'

The search giant is currently working on a major algorithm change that will revolutionize the way mobile friendliness is determined.

Leadership

Revolutionizing Proptech: Haider Ali Khan, CEO of Bayut and dubizzle, and CEO of Dubizzle Group MENA

Born from a mission to redefine real estate through technology, Bayut sparked a movement that evolved into the global proptech and classifieds leader, Dubizzle group — and today, we go back to understanding the homegrown powerhouse that started it all.

Marketing

The Quickest Way to Deliver Your Message? Make It Visual.

Infographics, dashboards and mobile apps provide a direct avenue to our brains. Use them to your advantage.

Starting a Business

College Startup Offers a Creative Approach to Banish Boring Presentations

Instead of boring slides with bullet points and clip art, Big Fish creates presentations that tell stories and resonate emotionally with viewers.

News and Trends

International Fashion Brand Maison D'AngelAnn Secures US$2 Million Investment From A Private Family Office In The UAE

The newest round of funds follows Maison D'AngelAnn's $7 million investment in November 2020 from The Gate Business Services, a UAE-based investment and real estate consultancy, which also saw it also acquire a majority stake in the business.