The 1970s were a decade of change – a time of disco fever, platform shoes, and a technological revolution that was just beginning. But while leisure suits and pet rocks became trendy staples, many of the conveniences we take for granted today were considered luxuries back then. Take a trip down memory lane and see how far we’ve come with these 25 everyday items that would have blown your parents’ minds in the 1970s:
Cell Phones
Forget bulky car phones requiring a special mount in your car, and limited range or frantic messages left on answering machines hoping someone would get back to you. The ability to carry a phone in your pocket and connect instantly with anyone, anywhere in the world, was a dream of the future in the 70s.
Cable TV
Gone are the days of limited channels with fuzzy reception and endless static. Cable TV in the 70s offered a mind-blowing selection of entertainment options, from a handful of broadcast networks to dedicated sports, movies, and even early versions of music video channels like MTV. While the selection might seem quaint compared to today’s offerings, cable TV was a revolutionary leap forward for a generation used to limited choices.
Home Computers
The personal computer revolution was just starting to take its first wobbly steps in the 70s. Early computers were expensive, clunky machines with limited processing power and required serious tech skills to operate. The idea of having a computer in every home, readily accessible for work, entertainment, or communication, would have seemed like science fiction back then.
Microwave Ovens
Defrosting frozen dinners for hours before you could even cook them? Not anymore! Microwave ovens were a game-changer in the 70s, offering a speedy and convenient way to heat up food, popcorn, or even beverages. This new technology saved families time and energy in the kitchen, allowing them to spend more time together.
Video Recorders (VCRs)
No more missing your favorite shows because you were stuck at work or school! VCRs allowed you to record and watch programs on your own schedule, a revolutionary concept back then. This opened up a whole new world of entertainment possibilities, from catching shows you missed to creating your own home movie collections.
Programmable Thermostats
Imagine manually adjusting the thermostat every few hours to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Programmable thermostats, allowing for automatic temperature control throughout the day and night, were a luxury reserved for the wealthy or tech-savvy in the 70s. With programmable thermostats, homeowners could set different temperatures for sleeping, working, and entertaining, saving energy and money on their heating and cooling bills.
Dishwashers
Washing dishes by hand after every meal was the norm in many households during the 70s. While not unheard of, dishwashers were expensive appliances and not a standard feature in most kitchens. The drudgery of handwashing dishes was a time-consuming chore, and the luxury of a dishwasher would have freed up valuable time for families to spend on other activities.
Automatic Washers and Dryers
Laundry day used to be a much more laborious process in the 70s. Clothes washing machines were often top-loading agitator models that required more water and energy. Dryers, if present at all, could take hours to fully dry a load of clothes. With their various cycles and settings, automatic washers and dryers saved time and effort, making laundry day a less daunting task and freeing up time for other chores or leisure activities.
Instant Coffee
For a quick cup of joe in the morning rush, instant coffee was the go-to option in the 70s. Made from concentrated coffee grounds that dissolved in hot water, instant coffee offered a convenient alternative to traditional brewing methods that required time and attention. However, the taste often left something to be desired compared to freshly brewed coffee. The luxury of having a coffee maker that could brew a pot of coffee quickly and easily would have been a welcome change for many busy households.
Air Conditioners
Staying cool during hot summers often meant relying on fans and hoping for a breeze to come through the windows. Central air conditioning was a luxury reserved for the fortunate few in the 70s. Window AC units, while available, were noisy and inefficient. The ability to cool your entire home to a comfortable temperature with the flick of a switch would have been a dream come true for many families living in hot climates.
Video Game Consoles
Atari anyone? Early video game consoles like the Atari 2600, released in 1977, were a glimpse into the future of interactive entertainment. While the graphics by today’s standards seem primitive (think blocky characters and simple backgrounds), these consoles offered a new way to play games at home. Gathering around the TV with friends and family for a heated game of Pong or Space Invaders was a revolutionary concept compared to the more passive entertainment options of the time. These early consoles paved the way for today’s sophisticated gaming systems.
DVD Players and Blu-ray Players
Forget bulky VHS tapes that could wear out over time and required rewinding with a pencil to find your favorite scene. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, DVD players and Blu-ray players offered a superior viewing experience with sharper picture quality, better sound, and larger storage capacity. This meant you could fit more movies on a single disc and enjoy them with a higher level of detail. The ability to rent or buy movies on DVD or Blu-ray and watch them at home whenever you wanted was a luxury that movie lovers in the 70s could only dream of.
The Internet
The information age was just dawning in the 70s. With its vast resources and instant connectivity, the internet would have seemed like something out of a futuristic movie. Back then, information was primarily accessed through libraries, encyclopedias, and newspapers. The concept of having access to a global network of information at your fingertips, 24/7, would have been mind-blowing.
Streaming Services
Imagine having access to thousands of movies and TV shows at your fingertips, all for a monthly subscription fee. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ have revolutionized how we watch entertainment. In the 70s, your entertainment options were limited to what was on broadcast television or what you could rent at the local video store. Streaming services offer a vast library of content, on-demand viewing, and the ability to watch on various devices, making them a convenient and affordable way to enjoy your favorite shows and movies.
GPS Navigation
Getting lost with a paper map and a vague sense of direction was common in the 70s. GPS navigation systems, introduced in the late 1980s and becoming widely available in the 2000s, provide turn-by-turn directions and real-time traffic updates, making getting around a breeze. No more fumbling with maps or pulling over to ask for directions. GPS navigation has transformed the way we travel, offering peace of mind and increased efficiency.
Digital Cameras
Imagine lugging around bulky film cameras, waiting impatiently for your precious memories to be developed at the photo store, only to be met with blurry images or accidental double exposures. Digital cameras, introduced in the early 1990s, revolutionized how we capture memories. With a digital camera, you could see your photos instantly on a screen, delete unwanted ones, and take endless pictures without worrying about film costs. The ability to edit photos on your computer and share them easily online has further transformed photography, making it a more accessible and interactive experience for everyone.
Flat-Screen TVs
Heavy, boxy televisions dominated living rooms in the 70s. These behemoths took up valuable space, had limited screen sizes, and offered a less-than-stellar viewing experience. The sleek design and incredible picture quality of modern flat-screen TVs would have been a sight to behold for people in the 70s. Flat-screen TVs come in a variety of sizes to fit any space, offer stunning high-definition resolution, and can be mounted on walls, freeing up valuable floor space. Whether you’re watching a movie, playing video games, or catching the latest sporting event, the immersive viewing experience offered by flat-screen TVs is a far cry from the bulky sets of the past.
Smartphones
A device that combines a phone, camera, computer, entertainment center, and GPS navigator all in one? Smartphones, which have become ubiquitous in modern society, would have been unimaginable in the 70s. These powerful pocket-sized computers allow us to connect with anyone instantly, access information on the fly, capture and share photos and videos, navigate unfamiliar places, and stay entertained with games, music, and streaming services. The convenience and versatility of smartphones have fundamentally changed the way we live, work, and communicate.
Home Security Systems
Peace of mind and remote monitoring were luxuries reserved for the wealthy in the 70s. Basic home security systems often consisted of simple alarms or window decals that might deter casual break-ins. Modern home security systems offer a comprehensive approach to security, with features like door and window sensors, motion detectors, and even security cameras that can be monitored remotely from your smartphone. These systems give homeowners greater peace of mind, allowing them to check in on their property and receive alerts if there’s a potential security breach.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Escape the hustle and bustle of the world with the touch of a button. Noise-canceling headphones were a futuristic dream in the 70s. Early sets offered passive noise reduction by blocking out some external sounds, but they weren’t very effective. Noise-canceling headphones use technology to actively reduce unwanted background noise, creating a peaceful oasis of quiet no matter where you are. Whether you’re trying to focus on work on a crowded airplane or simply want to relax with your favorite music without distractions, these revolutionary headphones offer a level of auditory escape that would have been unimaginable in the 70s.