In 2003-ish, while I was getting my BS, the professor passed out some of those funny-smelling purple sheets. I hadn't seen them since probably second grade (mid-1980's). Apparently both the copiers were broken, but there was still an old mimeograph sitting in the corner, she tried it, and it still worked.
Wow, I said mimeograph entirely as a joke, I didn't think anyone had used them this century.
So funny. I can instantly recall that smell to this day.