The 1970s was a unique and exciting time to grow up. It was an era of big hair, funky music, and new technology that seems ancient now. For those who lived through it, the 70s left lasting memories and experiences that shaped a generation.
In this blog post, I’ll share 15 things that only people who grew up in the 70s will truly understand. These are the experiences, gadgets, and cultural touchstones that defined childhood and teenage years during this groovy decade.
Rotary phones
These phones had a round dial you had to turn for each number. It took forever to call someone with many 9s or 0s in their number. If you messed up, you had to start all over again. Kids today would be so confused trying to use one!
TV antennas
Every TV had rabbit ear antennas on top. You had to move them around to get a clear picture. Sometimes, someone had to hold the antenna in a weird position while everyone else watched. There were only a few channels, and the picture was often fuzzy.
8-track tapes
Before cassettes became popular, we had these big cartridges called 8-tracks. They would play music in an endless loop. Sometimes, a song would cut off in the middle as the tape switched tracks. They were bulky but felt so cool at the time.
Roller disco
Roller skating rinks were the place to be on weekends. We’d skate in circles to disco music, showing off our moves. The skates clamped onto your regular shoes and had four wheels in a line. It was a great way to hang out with friends and maybe hold hands with your crush.
Pong
This was one of the first video games many of us played. It was super simple – just a white dot bouncing between two lines. We thought it was the most amazing thing ever. It seems boring now, but back then, it felt like the future.
Lava lamps
These groovy lamps had colored blobs that moved up and down in the light. They didn’t give much light, but they looked so cool. Every kid wanted one in their room. They were the perfect decoration for a 70s bedroom.
Pet rocks
Someone got rich selling ordinary rocks as pets. They came in a box with air holes and a funny manual. Kids carried them around and pretended to train them. It seems silly now, but it was a huge fad at the time.
Vinyl records
Music came on big, flat discs called records. You had to be careful not to scratch them. Putting on a record felt special – you’d carefully place the needle and hear that first crackle. Album artwork was huge and beautiful.
Wood-paneled station wagons
Many families had big cars with fake wood on the sides. The back seat faced backwards, and kids would fight over who got to sit in the “way back.” These cars were not cool, but they could fit the whole family.
Tab cola
This was one of the first diet sodas. It came in a pink can and didn’t taste very good. But it was popular with people trying to be healthy. The name “Tab” was short for “tabloid” because it kept you looking good for the tabloids.
Mood rings
These rings supposedly changed color based on your mood. They were really just reacting to your body heat. Everyone wore them and compared colors. It was fun to pretend the ring knew how you felt.
Shag carpets
Houses in the 1970s often had really thick, fluffy carpets, often in wild colors like orange or green. These carpets were cozy to sit on but hard to keep clean, and vacuuming them was a real workout!
Macramé everything
People made all sorts of things by knotting cords or yarn. Plant hangers, wall decorations, even clothing – macramé was everywhere. It was a popular craft that gave homes a very 70s look. You probably had at least one macramé item in your house.
Mork & Mindy
This TV show about an alien living on Earth was hugely popular. Robin Williams played Mork, who said funny things like “Nanu Nanu.” Kids would copy his weird handshake and sitting style. It was silly, but we all loved it.
Banana seat bikes
Bikes in the 70s often had long seats called banana seats. They also had tall handlebars called ape hangers. These bikes looked so cool and were fun to ride. You could give a friend a ride on the back of the seat.
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