But these old photographs, selected from the Evening News archive, give a flavour of the many different types of work people were doing five decades ago.
From herbalist to taxidermist and from saddler to steeplejack, the pictures highlight occupations which were keeping people busy in the Capital 50 years ago.
Scroll through the pictures and turn back the clock to get a taste of life in Edinburgh in the 1970s.
1. Early electronic banking
An early example of electronic banking at the Clydesdale Bank in Edinburgh's West End in October 1976. The bank teller can see the customer's transaction on CCTV. | TSPL Photo: Hamish Campbell
2. Shoeing a horse
Farrier Tom Eckford shoeing a horse of the St Cuthbert's Co-operative stables in Grove Street Fountainbridge Edinburgh in November 1975. | TSPL Photo: Bill Stout
3. Under the sea
Workers tunnelling under the seabed at Seafield sewage works during upgrading work in September 1973. | TSPL Photo: Stan Warburton
4. Packing room
Women working in the packing room of the Glayva plant in the Pentland industrial estate in Penicuik, November 1974. | TSPL Photo: Ian Brand