Additional Coverage:
- 15 Popular Products From the 1960s That Are Now Obsolete (blog.cheapism.com)
Remember These? Retro Gadgets of the Swinging ’60s
Technology moves fast! Today’s must-have gadget is tomorrow’s antique.
Take a trip back to the 1960s and rediscover some once-essential items that have since faded into obscurity. From clunky adding machines to the whir of the rotary phone, these relics offer a glimpse into a bygone era.
Rotary Phones: Before touch-tone phones became all the rage, the rotary phone was a fixture in every home. Dialing involved a finger workout and a distinctive clicking sound. Now, these phones mostly live on in vintage shops and movie sets.
Carbon Paper: Long before photocopiers, carbon paper was the go-to for making duplicates. This “magical” paper, coated with a waxy substance, transferred typed or written text onto a second sheet.
Typewriters: In the pre-computer era, typewriters reigned supreme. These mechanical marvels were essential for crafting everything from letters to manuscripts. While a few die-hards still cling to their typewriters, most of us have embraced the ease of word processing.
Phone Books: Before the internet, finding someone’s contact information meant grabbing the hefty phone book. Flipping through countless pages was a common ritual, a far cry from today’s instant online searches.
Milk Crates: Home milk delivery was the norm back in the ’60s. The milkman would drop off fresh bottles in a sturdy crate, a nostalgic image of simpler times.
8-Track Tapes: The soundtrack of the ’60s often came courtesy of the 8-track tape. While these chunky cartridges provided portable music, they eventually succumbed to the sleeker cassette tape.
Slide Projectors: Sharing vacation photos meant dimming the lights and firing up the slide projector. Gathering around to view these mini-movies was a quintessential ’60s experience.
Adding Machines: Before pocket calculators took over, adding machines were the tool of choice for crunching numbers. These hefty devices, weighing up to 20 pounds, were eventually replaced by their electronic counterparts.
TV Dinner Trays: The TV dinner tray epitomized ’60s convenience. Enjoying a meal while watching your favorite show, perched on this ingenious tray, was a novel concept. While not as common today, the appeal of lap-friendly dining remains.
Manual Lawn Mowers: Maintaining a lush lawn once required elbow grease and a manual mower. These non-motorized mowers were quickly eclipsed by the arrival of electric and gas-powered models.
Carpet Sweepers: While still available, carpet sweepers have been largely replaced by the more powerful vacuum cleaner.
Cigarette Vending Machines: Once ubiquitous in diners, bars, and even parks, cigarette vending machines became a target of anti-smoking campaigns and gradually disappeared.
TV Antennas: Before cable and digital television, rooftop antennas were essential for capturing broadcast signals. Adjusting the “rabbit ears” to get a clear picture was a familiar challenge.
Viewmaster: Before video games, the Viewmaster offered a glimpse into another world. These stereoscopic viewers brought 3D images to life, providing hours of entertainment.
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- 15 Popular Products From the 1960s That Are Now Obsolete (blog.cheapism.com)