The 1970s were a different world, filled with ‘groovy’ gadgets, unique fashion, and a slower pace of life.
For those who lived it, it’s hard to imagine a time when these things weren’t a part of daily life, yet many of them have completely vanished. There are so many ’70s things that young people growing up today will never experience—or even understand. They’re really missing out!
1. Waiting for your favourite song on the radio with a tape recorder ready
Before streaming services and playlists, if you loved a song, you had to sit by the radio with your finger on the “record” button, praying the DJ wouldn’t talk over the intro. This required patience and a touch of luck—a skill completely unnecessary today.
2. Adjusting the TV aerial for a clearer picture
TVs didn’t always come with pristine HD clarity. Instead, you had to fiddle with “rabbit ears” to get the best reception, often settling for a slightly fuzzy image. Sometimes, someone had to hold the aerial in just the right spot for the whole show.
3. Flipping over a vinyl record to play the other side
Listening to music on vinyl wasn’t just about the sound—it was an experience. You had to physically flip the record after a few songs, making it an interactive process. And heaven forbid you scratched the record while handling it!
4. Using a rotary phone to make a call
Dialling a number on a rotary phone was a slow, deliberate process. You had to wait for the dial to spin back after each digit, which made misdialling especially frustrating. Pocket-sized smartphones make this feel like ancient history.
5. Waiting weeks for photos to develop
Instant gratification didn’t exist when it came to photography. You’d drop off your film roll at the chemist and wait days (or even weeks) to see how your pictures turned out—only to discover someone blinked in every photo.
6. Owning a giant, single-purpose calculator
Calculators were clunky, heavy, and often only used for basic maths. If you had one in school, you were the envy of the classroom. Today’s kids have the same functionality—and more—on their phones, which they can also use to Google the answers.
7. Watching TV when the whole family had to agree on one show
There were no streaming services or endless channels. Families gathered around a single TV, and everyone had to compromise on what to watch. If you missed an episode, that was it—no rewinds, no replays.
8. Writing actual letters to stay in touch
If you wanted to chat with someone far away, you wrote a letter, put a stamp on it, and waited days—or weeks—for a reply. It made every letter feel special in a way that texts and DMs simply don’t.
9. Memorising phone numbers
Back in the ’70s, you couldn’t rely on your phone to store contacts because your phone was attached to the wall. Memorising numbers was the norm, and if you lost a written-down phone book, good luck getting in touch with anyone.
10. Hearing the TV sign off at night
TV didn’t run 24/7. Late at night, channels would play the national anthem and then switch to static until the morning. Kids today have endless content at their fingertips, but the silence of a signed-off TV had its own charm.
11. Taking long road trips with only a paper map
No GPS, no turn-by-turn directions—just a massive, impossible-to-fold map. Getting lost was half the adventure, and a passenger who could actually read the map was worth their weight in gold.
12. Owning a giant console stereo system
Stereo systems were furniture-sized masterpieces, complete with built-in radio, record player, and sometimes even an 8-track player. They were the pride of many living rooms, and the quality of sound still holds up to this day.
13. Using encyclopedias as the ultimate source of knowledge
If you had a report due or needed to learn something, your first stop was the family encyclopedia set. There was no Wikipedia for quick answers—you flipped through heavy books to get the information you needed.
14. Checking the clock on your wall or wrist
Back then, clocks and watches were more than just decorative—they were your main way to tell the time. If you forgot your watch or didn’t have a clock nearby, you simply didn’t know what time it was until you found one.
15. Standing in line to buy tickets
Whether it was for a movie, concert, or sporting event, you physically queued up to get tickets. There were no apps or websites—just you, the person in front of you, and a whole lot of patience.
