Growing up, I noticed that different generations have their own unique quirks and trends. It’s amazing to see how things change over time. Today, I want to discuss some trends that Baby Boomers loved that might leave Gen Z scratching their heads.
These old-school habits and fads were once all the rage, but now they seem pretty strange to younger folks. In this blog, I’ll share 25 of these trends that were big hits back then.
Smoking indoors
Boomers grew up in an era when smoking inside was totally normal. People lit up in restaurants, offices, and even on airplanes. The idea of stepping outside for a cigarette would have seemed strange to them. It wasn’t until later that the health risks became widely known, and indoor smoking bans were put in place.
Rotary phones
Before smartphones, Boomers used rotary phones with actual dials. You had to stick your finger in the hole for each number and turn the dial all the way around. It took forever to call someone with many 9s or 0s in their number.
Encyclopedia sets
Boomers often had huge sets of encyclopedias at home for looking up information. These heavy books took up a whole bookshelf and cost a lot of money. Families would buy a new set every few years to stay up-to-date. It’s hard to imagine when you can find any fact in seconds on your phone.
TV antennas
Getting a good TV signal used to be an art form for Boomers. They had to adjust rabbit ear antennas or climb the roof to move the big antenna. Sometimes, someone held the antenna in a certain position while others watched. Bad weather could mean no TV, which is a far cry from today’s streaming services.
Waiting for photos to develop
Boomers couldn’t see their photos right after taking them. They had to finish the roll of film and then take it to get developed, which could take days or even weeks. The excitement of picking up photos and seeing how they turned out was a big deal back then.
Cassette mixtapes
Music on cassette tapes was a big part of Boomer culture. They’d make mixtapes for friends or road trips, carefully selecting and recording songs. Walkmans allowed them to listen to music on the go. Boomers often had large collections of tapes organized in special carrying cases.
Fax Machines
Fax machines were high-tech for Boomers and used to send documents quickly. They would feed paper into the machine, which would then send a copy to another fax machine elsewhere. The receiving machine would print out an exact copy of the original. Fax machines were common in offices and some homes, making document sharing much faster than mail.
Paper Maps
Boomers relied on paper maps for navigation before GPS. They’d unfold large maps to plan routes for road trips. Reading maps was a skill, and many cars had a dedicated map holder. Boomers often had to pull over to check directions or ask for help at gas stations.
Landline Phones
Landline phones were the main way Boomers stayed in touch. These phones were connected to the wall and couldn’t be carried around. Boomers would spend hours chatting on them, often with long cords that stretched across rooms. For many, the ringing landline still brings back memories of rushed conversations and fights over phone time.
VHS Tapes
VHS tapes were how Boomers watched movies at home and recorded TV shows. These large plastic cassettes had to be rewound after watching. Boomers would visit video rental stores to borrow movies for a night or two. Many homes had collections of recorded shows and favorite films on VHS.
Typewriters
Before computers, Boomers used typewriters to write documents. These machines stamped letters onto paper with each keypress. Mistakes were hard to fix, often requiring special correction tape or fluid. The sound of typewriter keys clacking was once a common noise in offices and homes.
Phone Books
Phone books were thick directories of local phone numbers and addresses. Boomers used them to find businesses or look up friends’ numbers. New phone books were delivered yearly, replacing the old ones. Many people also used the Yellow Pages section to find services or products.
Pagers
Pagers were small devices that received short messages or phone numbers. Boomers would carry these to stay reachable before cell phones were common. When the pager beeped, they’d find a phone to call back the number displayed. Doctors and businesspeople often used pagers to stay on call.
Film Cameras
Boomers used cameras that needed film rolls changed after 24 or 36 shots. They couldn’t see photos immediately and had to wait for film development. Due to limited shots, choosing which moments to capture was important. Getting photos developed and printed was an exciting event.
Answering Machines
Answering machines recorded voice messages when no one was home to answer the phone. Boomers would come home and press play to hear who called. Many people had fun recording creative outgoing messages. Some even used them to screen calls by listening as messages were being left.
Cathode-ray tube TVs
Boomers watched TV on large, heavy cathode ray tube (CRT) sets. These TVs took up a lot of space and were difficult to move. The screens weren’t flat, and the picture quality wasn’t as sharp as modern TVs. Many homes had a dedicated TV cabinet to hold these big devices.
Slide Projectors
Slide projectors were used to show vacation photos or give presentations. Boomers would load slides into a carousel and project them onto a screen or wall. Family slide shows were a popular form of entertainment. The sound of the projector advancing to the next slide was very distinctive.
Vinyl Records
Vinyl records were the main way Boomers listened to albums at home. They required careful handling to avoid scratches and dust. Boomers took pride in their record collections, often displaying album covers as art. The ritual of placing the needle on the record and hearing the initial crackle was part of the experience.
Payphones
Payphones were once found on many street corners and in public buildings. Boomers would use coins or phone cards to make calls when away from home. Finding a working pay phone could sometimes be a challenge. Many people memorized important phone numbers in case they needed a pay phone.
Instant Cameras
Instant cameras, like Polaroids, were popular for quickly sharing photos. Boomers would snap a picture and watch it develop in minutes. These cameras were great for parties or events where people wanted immediate photos. Shaking the photo while it developed became a well-known habit, even if it didn’t actually help.
Microfiche Readers
Boomers used microfiche readers in libraries to view old newspapers or records. These machines displayed tiny images of documents on a screen. Researching historical information often meant spending hours at these machines. Libraries kept large collections of microfiche to save space compared to storing full-size documents.
CB Radios
CB (Citizens Band) radios were used by Boomers for communication, especially while driving. Truckers and regular drivers used special lingo to chat and share road information. Having a CB radio in your car was seen as cool and practical. People often had unique ‘handles’ or nicknames they used on the CB.
Electric Typewriters
Electric typewriters were an upgrade from manual ones, making typing easier and faster. Boomers used these in offices and for personal writing. Some models had a small amount of memory, allowing for simple editing. The hum of an electric typewriter was a common sound in many workplaces.
Shoe Rental at Bowling Alleys
Renting shoes was a regular part of going bowling for Boomers. Bowling alleys had racks of these special shoes in various sizes. The idea of sharing shoes might seem strange now, but it was just part of the bowling experience. Boomers often had their favorite lanes and would spend entire evenings at the bowling alley.
Drive-In Movies
Drive-in movie theaters were popular date spots for Boomers. They’d watch movies from their cars, with the sound coming through a speaker hung on the window. Some people would bring their own snacks or sit on the hood of their car. Drive-ins were great for seeing movies while maintaining privacy and comfort.
18 Stay-at-Home Jobs For Moms To Earn Extra Income
18 Stay-at-Home Jobs For Moms To Earn Extra Income
21 Behaviours That Can Make People Disrespect You in Your 70s
21 Behaviours That Can Make People Disrespect You in Your 70s
20 ‘Lower-Class’ Habits That Get The Side-Eye From Society
