The 1970s weren’t just about bold colors and funky furniture – homes of that era brimmed with intriguing everyday items. These objects, now relics, laid the groundwork for many modern household conveniences. We identified several once-common items that have become obsolete.
Rotary Phone
This essential household item of the 70s featured a circular dial pad with finger holes. Users would rotate the dial to the corresponding number for each digit to make a call. Rotary phones have been the dominant communication tool for decades. However, due to their slower dialing speed and less user-friendly interface, push-button phones took their place in the 80s.
Canisters with Flour Sifters
These decorative canisters, made of ceramic or metal, were common in 70s kitchens. They usually came in sets of three for flour, sugar, and coffee. A special feature was the built-in sifter in the lid, which made it easy to aerate flour for baking. Sifting isn’t as necessary with today’s pre-sifted flours and baking mixes. Also, modern kitchens often prefer a more unified look, making these canisters less popular.
Phonograph Turntable
Phonograph turntables were essential for music lovers in the 1970s. These devices played vinyl records with a needle that tracked grooves in the record. The sound produced was warm and rich, favored by many audiophiles. Today, even though vinyl is resurging, classic turntables from the 1970s are rare and highly valued. They represent a cherished era in music history.
Vacuum Tube Television
These bulky televisions dominated living rooms in the 70s. They relied on vacuum tubes to amplify the signal and produce an image on the screen. Vacuum tubes were prone to burning out and generated a significant amount of heat. Soon, cathode ray tube television was invented. Hence, by the 80s, vacuum tube televisions had become obsolete.
Formica Countertops
Formica countertops were laminated sheets available in a variety of bold colors and patterns. These were a popular choice in the 70s for their affordability and durability. These countertops were simple to clean and scratch-resistant, perfect for busy households. However, the trend shifted towards more natural materials like granite and quartz in later decades. Additionally, the strong chemical odor and dated aesthetics declined their popularity. They are still available in some stores but are no longer the dominant countertop choice.
Lava Lamps
A lava lamp, with its mesmerizing, slow-moving blobs of colored wax, was a staple of groovy 70s decor. The lamp consisted of a glass container filled with colored wax and a mineral oil solution. A heating element at the bottom warmed the wax, making it rise and fall in a motion similar to lava.
Although still found as novelty items, original 70s lava lamps in good condition are rare to find now. One of the big reasons behind their decline in popularity is their energy inefficiency compared to modern lighting.
The Cassette Tape
The cassette tape revolutionized portable music in the 1970s. These compact audio tapes allowed users to record and playback music and were the first to help create personalized playlists. The iconic cassette player, either portable or built into stereos, became a must-have for music lovers. However, the rise of the Compact Disc (CD) in the 1980s and then digital music formats like MP3s in the late 1990s led to the decline of cassette tapes.
The Polaroid Camera
These instant cameras were a popular novelty in the 70s. They are unlike the traditional film cameras. With Polaroids, you had to wait to develop photos. The iconic square photos with white borders were a fun and social way to capture memories. However, the high cost of film packs and the emergence of digital cameras with instant previews made Polaroids a niche market.
The Alarm Clock with Radio
Such combination devices were common bedside companions in the 70s. They offered a traditional wind-up alarm mechanism alongside a built-in AM/FM radio. Many even featured sleep timers that would turn off the radio after a set period. The rise of digital clocks with easy-to-set alarms and the integration of radio functionality into smartphones have made these combination devices fade into obscurity.
The Typewriter
The typewriter was a mainstay in offices and homes throughout the 70s. These mechanical devices allowed users to create physical copies of documents by pressing keys. The keys imprinted letters onto a ribbon and paper. The distinctive clatter of the keys and the satisfying weight of a finished document were hallmarks of the era.
However, the invention of personal computers in the late 1970s and the rise of word-processing software in the 1980s led to their demise. Today, they are a historical artifact of a pre-digital communication age.
The Eight-Track Tape Player
A precursor to the cassette tape, the eight-track player was a popular choice for listening to music in cars during the 70s. These bulky cartridges contained a continuous loop of tape. The loop would automatically switch tracks when it reached the end. However, the poor audio quality, limited track selection, and tendency for the tape to get tangled made them difficult to use. The arrival of the more compact and user-friendly cassette tape player quickly overshadowed the eight-track format.
Analog Thermostats
Analog thermostats were once a staple in many homes. These devices had simple dials and were operated by hand to control home heating and cooling. Today, they are being replaced by digital and smart thermostats. These new models are more precise and can be programmed easily. As a result, finding analog models is becoming increasingly difficult. Their decline marks a shift towards more energy-efficient and technologically advanced home systems.