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- Things Only People Who Grew Up in the ’70s Will Remember (cheapism.com)
Groovy Flashback: Everyday Items That Defined the 1970s
The 1970s. We remember the disco, the bell bottoms, and the inflation.
But what about the smaller things? The everyday objects that transport us back to kitchens with brown refrigerators and daisy-patterned wallpaper?
Let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the ’70s and revisit some of those iconic items.
Shag Carpeting: Oh, that plush, luxurious shag carpeting! A staple of sunken living rooms and conversation pits, it epitomized ’70s style.
However, its reign was short-lived. This once-trendy floor covering quickly became a magnet for dirt and a nightmare to clean.
Iron-On T-shirts: A way to express individuality before the internet, iron-on transfers let you customize your wardrobe. Whether you bought pre-made designs or created your own, these shirts were the way to show off your personality (for a month or so, until they started peeling).
Waterbeds: A mattress filled with water? It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Somehow, these became synonymous with a certain lifestyle. But the reality often involved seasickness and the ever-present risk of leaks.
Tab: While not the first diet soda, Tab was arguably the most recognizable. Marketed primarily to women, this Coca-Cola product, introduced in 1963, was known for its uniquely saccharine flavor.
Tiger Beat: Before Instagram influencers, there was Tiger Beat. This teen magazine provided a pantheon of heartthrobs for young fans. Shaun Cassidy, Andy Gibb, and Scott Baio adorned countless lockers and bedroom walls.
Mood Rings: These color-changing rings promised to reveal your inner emotions. In reality, the changes were caused by body temperature, not mood swings. Most people sported a calm blue or green “mood,” leading to the trend’s decline by the end of the decade.
Wacky Packs: The ’70s embraced a sillier form of rebellion. Wacky Packs, sold like trading cards, parodied popular products with gross-out humor (think “Crust” toothpaste). Parents loathed them, unaware that one of the writers, Art Spiegelman, would later win a Pulitzer Prize for his graphic novel Maus.
Macrame: The ’70s craft scene was a world of brown, beige, and olive drab. Macrame, the art of knotting rope, was everywhere. From planters to itchy bedspreads, this ancient textile practice experienced a ’70s resurgence.
Wall Telephones & Matching Toilet Paper: In the ’70s, coordination was key. Gold-flocked wallpaper in the bathroom?
You needed matching toilet paper, of course. And those wall phones?
A stylish way to chat, but changing the channel meant trekking across the room to the TV dial.
Airmail Letters: International calls were exorbitant. So, to connect with loved ones overseas, you penned a letter on that thin, blue airmail paper, folded it just so, and hoped it arrived safely.
Ubbi Dubbi: Thanks to the children’s TV show “Zoom,” this secret language became a playground staple. Inserting “ub” after the first letter of every syllable allowed kids to communicate in code, much to the bewilderment of their parents.
CB Radios: Popularized by truckers, CB radio lingo infiltrated everyday language. This was fueled by the song “Convoy” and the subsequent film. “10-4, Good Buddy” became a catchphrase.
Cards in Bike Spokes: Inspired by motorcycle culture, kids mimicked the roar of engines by placing playing cards in their bicycle spokes. The faster you pedaled, the louder the “vroom.”
Banana Seats: Another nod to motorcycles, banana seats, with their raised handlebars, gave kids’ bikes a chopper-like appearance. It was all about emulating “Easy Rider.”
Portable Record Players: Bigger than an MP3 player and prone to scratching your precious vinyl, these suitcase-style players let you bring the party wherever you went.
Pocket Combs: A descendant of the afro pick, the pocket comb, with its prominent handle, became a fashion accessory. Essential for feathered hair, it was a symbol of coolness at the roller rink.
Flip Flash: Say goodbye to clunky flash cubes! The Flip Flash offered multiple flashes, allowing for several photos in low light (though the results were often blurry).
Latch Hook Rugs: If shag carpets weren’t enough, latch hook rugs offered another way to add texture (and collect dirt) in your home. These DIY kits resulted in rugs that often featured questionable designs.
Cassette Recorders: The compact cassette reached its peak in the ’70s. Affordable and portable, these recorders allowed you to tape your favorite songs off the radio or capture the audio from TV shows.
Tube Tops: Inspired by disco fashion, tube tops became a wardrobe staple. Farrah Fawcett and Cher made them iconic. Pre-teen girls, however, struggled to keep them from slipping.
Tube Socks: With no heel or defined toe, tube socks were the athletic sock of choice. Often striped, they covered the entire calf and foot. And yes, they were usually itchy.
Weebles: These egg-shaped toys wobbled but didn’t fall down, captivating kids with their catchy jingle.
K-Tel Records: These compilation albums offered a budget-friendly way to enjoy the biggest hits. Their ubiquitous TV commercials ensured everyone knew at least one line from every song.
Pet Rocks: The ultimate fad gift. A rock.
In a box. Pet Rocks were a brief but intense craze, proving that sometimes the simplest ideas can capture the public’s imagination.
Green Stamps & TV Dials: Remember meticulously licking and sticking Green Stamps into booklets to redeem for prizes? And those TV dials? Clicking through the channels, hoping to find something good before the broadcast day ended, was a nightly ritual.
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- Things Only People Who Grew Up in the ’70s Will Remember (cheapism.com)