Fifteen years ago, thousands of Blockbuster Video stores occupied buildings like this all over the country, renting DVDs and selling popcorn. Today, there's only one (it's in Bend, Ore). The company's shares once traded for nearly $30. Now the parent firm is gone, scooped up (and then erased) by the DISH Network in a bankruptcy auction.

Obsolescence isn't always so complete, but emerging technologies and changing practices spell the end for many familiar items, practices and even jobs. COVID-19 is having abrupt effects, too, the consequences of which are still unfolding.

Here are 11 items that will soon fade to black.

Touch Screens

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Businesses will have to rethink public touch screens as more customers see shared surfaces as an infection risk, no matter how often they're cleaned.

ATMs, fast-food ordering terminals, displays in rental cars, airline kiosks and the like will get less use. Some people will carry special pens to tap the screens. Many firms will tout frequent cleaning or even offer free screen protectors to each user.

Customers will turn to their smartphones instead. That gives many firms an opportunity to push their mobile apps, which figure to be in heavy demand.

Voice commands and gesture recognition are potential substitutes but their utility is limited. Voice commands