It is true–many industries of the past no longer exist.
Some have been shipped overseas where materials, labor and regulations allow for the efficient manufacture of goods.
Some have been downsized due to waning demand. Finally, some have simply been ‘technologized out,’ meaning, machines have replaced the labor of people. We see this in many industries, including cars, furniture and even computers. An industry that has not seen a downturn over the generations, however, is the heating industry. While it is the case that much of the technology associated with the heating industry is manufactured overseas and/or through the use of machines, the demand for heating technology and service has never been greater. Indeed, the heating industry is seeing a period of unprecedented growth throughout the world. Part of this is a result of shifts in global temperatures resulting in extremely cold and wet winters. People need better ways to heat their homes affordably during the cold months of the year. Part is a result of improvements in HVAC technology, improvements which allow users to heat their homes efficiently while keeping utility costs down. There are even some luxuries in heating many people are now investing in–such as radiant floor heating and wireless HVAC–that create even more comfort during the cold months (follow this link for more information). Young people getting out of high school are therefore pursuing careers in the heating industry as technicians, repairmen and women and as retailers. The heating industry provides a stable career with lots of opportunity for growth and mobility. For more information on the heating industry, research HVAC technology.