The 1970s brought us some truly wild household gadgets that seemed amazing at the time but have since vanished from our homes. These forgotten inventions perfectly capture that groovy decade when technology was getting fancy but hadn’t quite figured itself out yet.
Take a trip down memory lane with these 15 weird and wonderful household items that defined the ’70s home. Some might bring back memories, while others might leave younger readers wondering how anyone thought these were good ideas.
Electric Fondue Pots
These party must-haves were in every ’70s home. The electric fondue pot let hosts melt cheese or chocolate without dangerous fuel cans. They came in bright orange, harvest gold, or avocado green to match your kitchen. Family gatherings always included everyone standing around dipping bread into hot cheese.
Butter Churners
Home butter churners made a comeback during the self-sufficient ’70s. These hand-cranked gadgets let families make their own butter from cream. The plastic versions had clear containers so you could watch your butter forming. Many homes displayed these as both useful tools and talking points.
Salad Spinners
The salad spinner changed how people prepared leafy greens. Before this invention, folks dried lettuce with towels or just ate soggy salads. The hand-cranked spinner used force to throw water off freshly washed lettuce. That clicking sound as you pumped the top became the soundtrack to healthy eating.
Ice Crushers
Wall-mounted manual ice crushers were common in ’70s home bars. These machines had a hopper for ice cubes and a crank that smashed them into small pieces for fancy drinks. The loud grinding noise told everyone that something fun was being made. Most came in wood-grain plastic to match all that fake wood paneling.
Electric Bean Bag Warmers
Before microwaveable heating pads, people used electric bean bag warmers for sore muscles. These fabric pouches filled with beans plugged straight into the wall to heat up. They came in fun patterns and often had dangerously worn cords after regular use. Many homes kept one around despite the clear fire risks.
Popcorn Poppers with Butter Melters
These clear dome popcorn makers with built-in butter cups on top were kitchen favorites. The heating element popped kernels while melting butter in the special top section. The butter would drip through small holes right onto the popcorn. These machines made unmistakable sounds and smells that meant movie night was starting.
Electric Hot Doggers
Special hot dog cooking appliances were oddly specific but hugely popular. These gadgets had metal prongs that speared hot dogs and cooked them with electricity. Some models could cook six hot dogs at once in under two minutes. Families loved them for quick meals even though cleaning the sticky prongs was a real pain.
TV Dinner Trays
Folding metal TV trays changed how families ate dinner. These portable tables usually had paintings of nature or historical scenes on them. They stored neatly in special stands when not being used. The whole family would set up their personal trays in front of the television for casual meals and TV watching.
Cigarette Dispensers
Before smoking became frowned upon, decorative cigarette dispensers were common household items. These push-button devices would pop out a single cigarette when pressed. They came in materials from ceramic to wood to match any home style. Many had fancy designs meant to show off rather than hide smoking stuff.
Rotary Egg Beaters
Hand-cranked egg beaters with their bright red wooden handles were baking essentials. The metal gears made a whirring sound as you turned the handle to beat eggs or mix batter. Their strong build meant many lasted for decades despite regular use. Grandmothers claimed these worked better than electric mixers.
Handheld Hair Dryers in Cases
Portable hair dryers that came in their own hard cases were beauty essentials. These dryers were much heavier than today’s versions and often got too hot after a few minutes. The cases typically matched the dryer’s color, making a fashion statement in the bathroom. Most had just two settings: too hot or barely warm.
Wood-Paneled Clock Radios
These bedside gadgets had fake wood exteriors and flip numbers that changed with a click. The radios usually had poor reception that needed constant antenna adjusting. Their alarm used a loud buzzing sound rather than music to wake people up. Many homes had one in every bedroom despite how big they were.
Console Sewing Machines
Sewing machines built into wooden cabinets were prized possessions. These heavy furniture pieces hid the sewing machine when not in use, working as side tables. The machines lifted up from the cabinet on special hinges when needed. Homes with handmade curtains and clothes almost always had one of these.
Electric Carving Knives
These special slicing tools were must-haves for holiday dinners and Sunday roasts. The twin blades moved back and forth quickly, creating thin slices of meat. They made loud buzzing sounds that told everyone dinner was ready to be served. Dad usually operated this tool while everyone watched nervously.
Macramé Plant Hangers
Though not electronic, these handmade plant holders hung in every stylish ’70s living room. Made from knotted cord, they hung spider plants and other greenery from ceilings. They came in complex patterns that showed off the maker’s knotting skills. Empty hangers often stayed in place long after plants had died from neglect.
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