Growing up in the 1970s was a unique experience that shaped an entire generation. From the music to the fashion to the pop culture moments, there are certain things that those who came of age during this era will never forget. Life moved at a slower pace, and the world seemed a bit more carefree.
If you’ve experienced this memorable decade, these 18 things will always hold a special place in your heart:
The Rise of Disco
Although disco music and Discothèques pioneered by the French are largely a product of the 1960s, it is only in the 70s that Disco thrived and became a huge part of the public dance and music scene. It was also during this decade that legendary disco songs like I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor and Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees dominated the airwaves and the dance floor.
Bell-Bottoms
Another groovy ‘60s fashion trend that became mainstream in the ‘70s is the bell-bottoms, especially after Sonny Bono and Cher donned them in their variety show The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour (1971–1974). Owning at least a pair of these wide-legged pants in bright colors and patterns as part of our wardrobe was the done thing back in the day.
The Brady Bunch
While it’s true that The Brady Bunch (1969-1975) didn’t exactly top the rating charts during its original run, the American family sitcom eventually caught on and soon became a Generation X television fixture through syndication in the late 70s and early 80s. The TV show, which follows the misadventures of a large blended family with 6 children, is chock-full of saccharine scenes, which we don’t mind at all. Indeed, it is this very nostalgic appeal that continues to transport us back to simpler times.
Mood Rings
First crafted by Jeweler, Marvin Wernick in 1974, this little piece of invention was made with a compound that changed colors (black to green and blue to deep blue) when the temperatures were between 32–38 °C. Whether we believed that these color-changing accessories revealed our emotional state, turning blue when you’re calm and black when you’re stressed or anxious, did not matter to us as long as we had one of these on us. Mood rings were such a rage that, by 1975 these adornments had reached $15 million in sales!
Polaroid Cameras
Polaroid instant cameras represent an unforgettable part of 70s youth. These devices captured the decade’s spirit of instant gratification and technological wonder. The SX-70, first produced in ‘72, was a game-changer that eliminated the need to peel apart the photographic paper, making the process even more instant. People who grew up in this era will always remember the unique sensory experience of using a Polaroid: the soft “whir” of the camera ejecting a fresh print, the anticipation of waiting for the photo to come to life, and the distinctive smell of the developing chemicals.
Atari
The 70s was a decade filled with the release of all kinds of arcade games and video gaming consoles. We had Nutting Associates’ Computer Space, the arcade game that started it all, followed by Atari’s PONG, released in 1972. And then we had the Atari 2600 home gaming console first released in 1977 which later brought arcade favorites like Breakout, PacMan, and Space Invaders into our living rooms across the country, kickstarting the video game craze.
Farrah Fawcett Poster
The iconic ‘76 portrait of the actress in a red swimsuit, with her feathered hair, dazzling smile, and pin-up pose, adorned the walls of many of our homes. In Smithsonian curator Dwight Bowers’s words, the photo is the “best-selling poster of all time”. Believed to be a hallmark feature of the ‘70s, the poster has sold millions of copies. There are multiple posts under 70s-related Subreddits dedicated to the poster.
Pet Rocks
This is the story of how an advertising executive became a millionaire after selling over one million of these low-maintenance “pets” that came complete with their own cardboard carriers and care instructions. Although the collectible toy was only an inexplicable fad that lasted all of 6 months after its release in ‘75, its cultural impact has been more lasting. Those of us who purchased these rocks for $4 a piece were obsessed with it because it was a pet but entirely low-maintenance.
8-Track Tapes
Before cassettes and CDs, 8-tracks were the preferred format for music on the go, despite their tendency to switch tracks in the middle of a song. Its best feature was that it could play in an endless loop on repeat, so users didn’t have to eject, flip, or put the tape back to hear the whole recording. Although 8 Tracks has a bad reputation because it was relegated to cars later on and people complained about how bad it sounded on them, some audiophiles swear on the sound quality of these magnetic tapes.
Schoolhouse Rock!
Despite the fact that Schoolhouse Rock! (1973-2009) was not exclusively enjoyed and experienced by children of the 1970s, the wraparound segment series can only be recalled with fondness. These animated shorts taught us grammar, math, and history through catchy tunes like Conjunction Junction, and I’m Just a Bill. The memories attached to watching these series, especially during Saturday Morning Cartoon, are hard to forget.
Shag Carpeting
The ultimate symbol of 1970s home decor, shag carpeting was everywhere during this decade and the one prior. Characterized by its deep, thick pile and shaggy appearance, this plush yet cozy flooring option comes in a variety of bold colors and patterns. Popular hues included avocado green, harvest gold, and burnt orange, perfectly capturing the era’s aesthetic. If you want to feel like you’re back in the 70s, just get yourself one of these!
Lava Lamps
This British invention of the early 1960s was immensely popular throughout the ’60s and ’70s. Often associated with the psychedelic craze of the ’60s and later with the hippie and cannabis culture, these mesmerizing light fixtures with their bubbling blobs of wax, made their way into our dorm rooms and bedrooms giving them the groovy ambiance the decade required.
The Muppet Show
This much-loved and wildly popular variety-sketch comedy show, debuting in 1976, brought Jim Henson’s colorful puppet creations into living rooms across America. It was the weekly highlight that ’70s kids will always cherish as a defining part of their childhood. The Muppet Show’s unique blend of slapstick comedy, catchy musical numbers, and celebrity guest stars created unforgettable entertainment for us. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and the rest of the Muppet gang became cultural icons, appealing to both kids and adults with their mix of sophisticated humor and silly antics.
The Partridge Family
This musical sitcom about a family band, aired on ABC from 1970 to 1974 was the epitome of ‘70s pop culture. Its blend of age-appropriate humor and catchy tunes made it a favorite alongside The Brady Bunch. The show followed the adventures of a widowed mother and her five children, who formed a band and toured in a psychedelic school bus. Starring Shirley Jones and her real-life stepson David Cassidy, The Partridge Family was a cultural sensation of the decade.
Skateboards
When you think of skateboarding, you think of kids wearing dirty Converses and worn-out jeans, strolling down the street walk, or at the skate park with bruises from an ill-timed Ollie. The skateboarding scene in the ’70s was magical–the action sport evolved from a niche activity to a cultural phenomenon. Although skateboarding originated in California in the ’50s, kids who grew up in the ’70s will never forget the thrill of their first board, often a Hobie or Logan Earth Ski.
Smiley Face Symbol
Although the Smile Face was a 1963 creation designed to boost employee morale, 70s kids associate it with the Have a happy day slogan thanks to two entrepreneurial brothers (Bernard and Murray Spain) who mass-produced smiley face merchandise. This simple yellow circle with two dots for eyes and a wide grin became a ubiquitous symbol of the decade’s optimism and good vibes, eventually evolving into the modern emoji.
Mork & Mindy
This quirky sitcom, starring Robin Williams as Mork, an alien from the planet Ork, and Pam Dawber as Mindy McConnell, Mork’s human friend and eventual love interest, became a television sensation in the late 1970s. The show introduced us to Williams’s comedic genius, with Dawber helping to ground the show’s wild antics. Aired from 1978 to 1982, Mork & Mindy captured the imaginations of 70s kids with its blend of sci-fi comedy and heartwarming friendship.
Platform Shoes
Platform shoes were a defining fashion statement of the 1970s that transcended both disco culture and everyday wear. These elevated footwear pieces, often featuring thick soles of several inches, became a must-have fashion item for both men and women during this era. The trend was embraced by everyone, from everyday people to iconic musicians like KISS and Elton John, making these towering shoes a true symbol of the decade’s style and self-expression.