The 1960s weren’t just about moon landings, flower power, and The Beatles. These were the tools that transformed our kitchens and living rooms, lived in our pockets, classrooms, and even our glove compartments!
From clunky tech marvels to sleek design icons, these tools mixed practicality with a dash of futurism. Some were high-tech (for the time), some were dead simple, and some are still kicking around today, collecting dust in an attic or commanding big bucks on eBay. Whether they were practical, stylish, or just plain fun, they each had a role in shaping daily life in the 1960s, which is probably why we miss them so much.
To that effect, we’ve rounded up 12 gadgets that made the 60s a decade of tactile innovation and enduring nostalgia.
1. The Electric Can Opener
Almost every kitchen in the ’60s had one of these, and as kids, we probably loved it a little too much. Debuting in the 1930s and becoming a commercial success by the late 50s, the electric can opener wasn’t just a convenience; it was a status symbol. Their dominance extended into the 1960s and 1970s, making them a staple in kitchens during that era. All we had to do was plug it in, press a button, and clink! — Dinner prep got a futuristic upgrade. No wrist strain, no weird little cuts from jagged lids. It was kitchen magic.
2. Slide Projectors
Before PowerPoint and Google Slides, there were Kodachrome slides and the unmistakable ka-chunk of a projector carousel turning. Slide projectors are what families gathered around to relive vacations, birthdays, or blurry shots of someone’s thumb. Teachers used them, Salesmen lugged them around, and almost every living room had a screen that barely fit between the furniture.
3. Rotary Telephones
Unlike our fragile smartphones of today, rotary telephones were tough as tanks and twice as satisfying to use. That spinning dial was iconic, and calling someone was a commitment. Messed up the last number? You need to start over. The sound of that dial whirring back was practically the soundtrack of the decade.
4. Percolator Coffee Makers
A defining kitchen appliance of the ’50s and ’60s, percolators bubbled away on stoves and countertops, making strong-as-nails coffee that filled the house with a rich, comforting aroma. No buttons, no touchscreens, just hot water, ground beans, and patience.
5. Record Players
It wasn’t really a party until someone dropped the needle. Whether you were into doo-wop, surf rock, or early psychedelia, the record player was central to 1960s home entertainment. Bonus points if it was housed in a massive wooden console that doubled as living room furniture.
6. Flash Cubes
Photography in the ’60s had a particular kind of charm, and part of that charm was the blinding mini-explosions on top of the camera. Flash cubes were loud, hot, and oddly satisfying. Take four photos, then twist and repeat. And if your dad used one indoors, you had to say goodbye to your retinas for a few seconds.
7. Pocket Transistor Radios
With the first commercial model releasing in 1954, transistor radios are arguably the original portable tech. These little battery-powered boxes let you take the news, ball games, and Beatles hits wherever you went. They fit in your pocket (almost), ran forever on a couple of 9V batteries, and somehow always smelled faintly of plastic and summer heat.
8. Typewriters
Whether it was the sturdy metal clack of a Royal or the sleek look of an Olivetti, typewriters were a daily fixture in homes and offices. Writing a letter meant typing it with force. Mistakes were a pain, sure, but there was nothing more satisfying than yanking out a finished page with a dramatic flourish.
9. Handheld Hair Dryers
A total upgrade from sitting under a hood at the salon, handheld dryers gave women (and yes, plenty of men) the power to sculpt that perfect ’60s bouffant at home. They were loud, heavy, and got really hot, but they got the job done.
10. TV Antennas
Back when TV channels were in the single digits and rabbit ears ruled the living room. If the picture went fuzzy, someone (usually a kid) had to stand there, arms out like a human lightning rod, while the rest of the family yelled, “Right there! Don’t move!” Bonus points if you wrapped the antenna in foil.
11. Clock Radios
Part alarm, part nightstand decoration, part Atomic Age futurism. These chunky plastic chassis with their glowing amber numerals and analog tuner dials turned waking into an event. The mechanical flip-flip of advancing minutes and warble of AM radio was the mainstay of mornings, whether catching traffic updates or static-laced Beatles tracks.
That iconic “snooze” function? A satisfying thunk of a dedicated metal bar or a firm press on a springy button, granting nine more minutes of bliss. For a generation raised on Mercury missions, these were the control panels of everyday life.
12. Remote Controls (Sort Of)
If we’re being honest, early remote controls were barely “remote.” Some had wires. Some only turned the TV on and off. Others made a loud clicking noise that felt like you were summoning a ghost. Still, in an age of wood-paneled TVs and dials with detents, even a basic remote was futuristic, and needless to say, we were still in awe of it.