The 1970s formed a whole generation of people in America. There were cultural shifts with disco fever, and star wars mania. These memories will take you back to a time of cool bell-bottoms, and 3 channel TVs, where children wanted to be the Fonz. It was a unique and memorable time for everyone.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Disco Fever Everything
- 2 2. The Original Star Wars Experience
- 3 3. Shag Carpeting Everywhere
- 4 4. The Magic of Metal Roller Skates
- 5 5. The Bicentennial Celebration
- 6 6. Pet Rocks
- 7 7. The Six Million Dollar Man
- 8 8. Mood Rings
- 9 9. The Brady Bunch Effect
- 10 10. Bean Bag Chairs
- 11 11. Waterbed Mania
- 12 12. CB Radio Culture
- 13 13. Lava Lamps
- 14 14. Platform Shoes
- 15 15. The Invention of Post-It Notes
1. Disco Fever Everything
Disco was a way of life. People in the suburbs were practicing the Saturday Night Fever dances in their basements, and disco balls could be found in school gymnasiums. We even had disco lunchboxes, fashion, and songs. There were disco versions of songs and we had disco everything.
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2. The Original Star Wars Experience
As the first generation to see Star Wars in theaters, we had our minds blown. We instantly treasured the action figures, and had the legendary Kenner empty box campaign during the Christmas of 77. We collected trading cards, wore the shirts, and longed to own a lightsaber.
3. Shag Carpeting Everywhere
Our homes were shag carpeting in burnt orange, avocado green, and harvest gold. It was plush and we had to rake it with special tools to keep it fluffy. Small toys were always lost inside.
4. The Magic of Metal Roller Skates
Before rollerblades, we had metallic skates that clamped onto our shoes with a key. The sidewalk-clattering of these skates was the soundtrack of summer afternoons. We would be ready for impromtu skating sessions anywhere.
5. The Bicentennial Celebration
1976 was an amazing year. We celebrated our new nation with patriotic themed merchandise, parades, and fireworks while we collected special Bicentennial Quarters. There was a ton of stuff happening all over the country, and we loved it.
6. Pet Rocks
Then the pet rock craze hit. All of a sudden we had a new low maintenance pet that we could name, decorate, and put in little cardboard boxes. We loved our pet rocks like they were real pets.
7. The Six Million Dollar Man
Steve Austin was our super hero. Everyone had to have the action figure with the bionic eye. Once you had that you could pretend to have bionic powers too, and all you had to do was roll your sleeve up like colonel Austin.
8. Mood Rings
These rings changed colors and we believed they could read our mood. They came with a chart that we all used religiously. It didn’t matter if they really worked or not, everyone had to have one.
9. The Brady Bunch Effect
The Brady Bunch was more than a show. It changed the way we thought about family life and what we wanted. Every kid wanted a wise cracking house keeper like Alice and kids wanted to pose for photos like they had at their house. Everyone wanted the problems, clothes and even the house.
10. Bean Bag Chairs
In a 1980s bedroom, a fabric \*bean bag\* chair would have been an ever-present feature. Each chair was filled with small plastic beans, each one providing a different seating experience. They came in a variety of colors and patterns, while the noise they would make when someone sat in them only added to the chair’s allure.
11. Waterbed Mania
Also among the popular bedroom furniture in a 1980s home was the \*waterbed\*, which was frequently requested by the occupants. \*Parents\* often denied their request due to the fear of a waterbed crashing through the floor, but children loved the idea of sleeping in such an extravagant appealing piece of furniture.
12. CB Radio Culture
In the 1980s, the \*CB radio\* was a popular communication device. We communicated through radio signals in groups and maintained our own \*CB\* slang. Each participant chose their own unique \*handle\* name to describe themselves. In retrospect, this is a basic form of social media 40 years before the practice would be popularized.
13. Lava Lamps
The 1980s would not be complete without a \*lava lamp\*. Hours would be spent looking at the lamp in order to complete homework. The soft glow made the lamp mesmerizing and it added some excitement to an otherwise boring chore.
14. Platform Shoes
The lower the platform on a pair of shoes, the less desirable they were. This made breaking an ankle in shoes like these worthwhile. Stepping in them was seen as a rite of passage.
15. The Invention of Post-It Notes
Sticky notes changed the world when they were first introduced to us in 1977. Now we could write notes on paper, walls, or books without damaging them. After their release they became essential to class notes, homework assignments, reminders, and passing notes to friends during class.
