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.
9. Horse and cart
Jackie the milk horse from the St Cuthbert's Co-operative horses' stables in Grove Street Fountainbridge is led through the streets of Edinburgh in November 1975. | TSPL Photo: Bill Stout
10. Standard Life offices
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and King Carl Gustav of Sweden visited Standard Life offices in Edinburgh, July 1975. The Duke chats with Mina Briggs in the Law & Claims department. | TSPL Photo: Stan Warburton
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11. Taxidermist
Taxidermist George Jamieson working on a stuffed fox at Jenners department store in Edinburgh, December 1974. | TSPL Photo: Hamish Campbell
12. In the steamie
Women doing their laundry in the public washhouse ot "steamie" at Bonnington Road, Leith, ahead of the planned "automation" in March 1973. | TSPL Photo: T Souness