The 1970s were an era filled with iconic trends like disco balls, bell-bottoms, and rising inflation. But it’s the everyday items that truly transport us back to that era, evoking memories of kitchens with daisy-patterned wallpaper and brown refrigerators. Discover the cultural artifacts of the ’70s that continue to hold a special place in our hearts.
**Relive the Past with These ’70s Nostalgia Items**
**Mood Rings**
While mood rings were believed to change color based on one’s mood, the reality was that they reacted to body heat. The novelty of these rings faded as most people ended up with a standard green or blue “mood.”
**Shag Carpeting**
Initially a popular choice for sunken living rooms and conversation pits, shag carpeting quickly became outdated and a hassle to clean.
**Wall Telephones**
For many, having a phone in their room was a luxury reserved for the elite. The rest of us had to make calls from the kitchen, using a phone attached to the wall. If you were lucky, you had a phone with a long spiral cord that allowed you to have some privacy in the hallway.
**Matching Toilet Paper**
In the ’70s, everything had to match, even down to the color of your toilet paper. From gold-flocked wallpaper to rainbow-colored toilet paper, coordination was key.
**Airmail Letters**
In a time when international phone calls were costly, sending letters was the affordable way to stay connected with loved ones abroad. Writing letters by hand on flimsy blue paper was a heartfelt gesture.
**Ubbi Dubbi**
This playful language gained popularity thanks to a TV show and the prevalence of wall phones. By inserting “ub” after the first letter of each syllable, kids created a secret code that left parents baffled.
**CB Radio**
Truckers favored CB radios for communication, and the lingo they used became mainstream with the help of the song “Convoy” and subsequent movie. Embrace your inner trucker with a cheerful “10-4, Good Buddy.”
**Waterbeds**
Once seen as a symbol of a glamorous lifestyle, waterbeds were not without their drawbacks. Prone to leaks and inducing seasickness, these mattresses were a quirky trend of the ’70s.
**Tiger Beat**
Before social media influencers, teen magazines like Tiger Beat provided idols for youngsters. Posters of heartthrobs adorned lockers and bedroom walls, creating a fantasy world for young fans.
**Macrame**
The ’70s were a time of crafting with earthy tones and knotted rope creations. From plant hangers to bedspreads, macrame was a versatile craft that thrived during this era.
**Iron-On T-shirts**
Iron-on transfers allowed individuals to personalize their T-shirts with ease, adding a touch of individuality
T-shirts became the popular choice for expressing individuality on a mass scale. You could purchase iron-on transfers to apply at home, but they tended to peel and crack after about a month. Alternatively, you could visit a mall store where a large press would professionally apply them for you, signaling to the world that you were trendy.
While Tab wasn’t the first diet soda (that title goes to Diet Rite), it was the most widely available. Marketed primarily to women, Coca-Cola introduced Tab in 1963, celebrated for its artificial, unique taste.
In the 1970s, there was a trend of mimicking motorcycles, whether through riding a Big Wheel or a Green Machine, or simply by attaching playing cards to bike spokes. The faster you pedaled, the more the cards would create a buzzing sound reminiscent of a motorcycle engine, influenced by daredevil Evel Knievel.
Banana seats, reminiscent of motorcycles, were a popular feature on kids’ bicycles. Introduced with the Schwinn Chopper in 1963, in the 1970s, elevated handlebars and elongated seats gave riders a rebellious “Easy Rider” appearance as they raced against neighborhood bullies.
The counterculture of the 1960s evolved into a more lighthearted rebellion in the 1970s with Wacky Packs, sold like trading cards. These cards featured humorous parodies of consumer products, much to the dismay of parents. Little did they know that Wacky Packs writer Art Spiegelman would later become the only graphic novel creator to win a Pulitzer Prize.
Portable record players were larger than MP3 players, and the inevitable scratching of records (don’t forget the adapter for 45s) was a common occurrence. These suitcase-like players allowed you to bring the party anywhere, although the sound quality left something to be desired.
Pocket combs, with shiny handles protruding from back pockets, were a stylish accessory during roller rink ladies’ choice dances. These combs were flaunted with flair on feathered hair, serving as a fashionable accompaniment to outfits.
Flip Flash revolutionized photography by replacing bulky flash cubes. This device clicked onto Kodak Instamatic cameras, enabling multiple dark shots that would be developed weeks later, often revealing blurred images.
Latch hook rugs, a popular home craft of the 1970s, provided a creative outlet. These kits included a hook, earth-toned yarn pieces, and patterns for creating items like turtle-themed rugs, showcasing a homemade aesthetic.
Cassette recorders, a significant innovation of the 1970s, improved on reel-to-reel systems by offering affordability and portability. Users could record TV show audio or sing along to the radio, utilizing household items like curling irons as makeshift microphones.
Tube tops allowed girls to embody disco fashion dreams with elasticized, braless sleeveless tops. Worn by style icons like
Electric Blue Socks
Electric Blue socks, also known as “Pet Rocks,” were a popular fashion trend in the 1970s. These socks were characterized by red and blue stripes at the top and covered the entire foot and calf. Following the style dictates of the ’70s era, they were not only fashionable but also quite itchy, as noted even by Smithsonian magazine in a historical piece on this unique fashion item.
Pet Rocks
Before the era of Pokemon cards and L.O.L. Surprise! dolls, there was the phenomenon of Pet Rocks. This quirky gift captured the imagination of many when it was introduced in 1975 by ad exec Gary Dahl. Each Pet Rock came in a box and was sold for $4. Despite its initial success as a fad, the popularity of Pet Rocks waned within about six months, turning them into a national joke by 1976.
Green Stamps
Green Stamps, which were popular for nearly a century, were distributed by various retail outlets such as supermarkets and gas stations. S&H was one of the most well-known producers of these stamps. Shoppers would collect these stamps in small booklets and redeem them for items they didn’t really need at distribution centers, which were frequented about once every two years.
TV Dials
Remember the days when changing the TV channel involved physically getting up and turning the dial? With only six channels to scroll through, including both VHF and UHF options, viewers had to manually twist the dial until they reached their desired channel. Sometimes, this channel surfing would continue until the late hours of the night when broadcasting ceased for the day.
Weebles
Weebles, the iconic plastic toys with weighted bottoms, gained popularity not only for their entertainment value but also for their catchy TV commercial jingle. Every child was familiar with the slogan: “Weebles wobble, but they don’t fall down.”
K-Tel Records
Before the digital age, K-Tel Records offered music enthusiasts a convenient way to access the latest hits through their compilation records. Advertised extensively on television, these records featured popular songs of the time, making it unnecessary for fans to purchase individual albums. The commercials for K-Tel Records were so pervasive that they ingrained snippets of hit songs into the minds of viewers.
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(This content was originally featured on Cheapism. Image source: iStock / eBay)
