1970s products that vanished so completely that people forget they existed
Everyday products and accommodations have advanced so quickly that several things from the past have almost been forgotten. From phone books to Shagadelic custom vans, here are seven products of the ‘70s that have vanished.
Waterbeds
Designed to evenly support body weight and eliminate bed sores, waterbeds were invented in 1968 by a design student to offer a new solution to uncomfortable mattresses. Thus, by wrapping up the water-filled mattress with vinyl, the waterbed was born. Driven by the counterculture movement, waterbeds became one of the most popular luxuries of the ‘70s.
Candle drip Chianti bottles
For more romantic and sensual decor, the candle-dripping Chianti bottles were the hottest commodities in the ‘70s era. First popularized in Italian restaurants, a dripper taper candle would be placed inside a wine bottle, where the dripped wax would cascade down the glass. The effect created a mesmerizing, bohemian design that could be seen in many hippie homes in the ‘70s. While no longer mainstream, you could still make your own drip Chianti bottle at home.
Shagadelic custom vans
Another remnant of the counterculture movement, Shagadelic custom vans were ultra-vibrant vans that had extravagant designs in both the interior and exterior. On the exterior, the van featured neon colors and psychedelic, spray-painted designs. The interior is carpeted from the floor to the ceiling, with velvet seats and lounge amenities like built-in beds and mini-bars. Shagadelic custom vans were symbols of identity and nonconformity, making them staples of the ‘70s.
Princess phones
Phones have evolved throughout history. From the 1890s to 1930s, candlestick phones were the norm and could be seen in homes and offices; then, rotary phones took over telecommunications in the ‘60s. Today, almost everyone has a touchscreen phone in their pockets. But in the ‘70s, Princess phones could be found in many teenage girls’ bedrooms. Smaller and more portable than rotary phones, Princess phones came in a wide range of colors. However, the phones were marketed to women, thus having a feminine name.
Libbyland Adventure Dinners
Frozen dinners have changed throughout the decades. Initially, frozen dinners were invented as an easy way to have dinner after a long day’s work — they may not be the most delicious, but they at least filled people up. Today, frozen dinners have become more artisanal and high-quality. But in the ‘70s, Libbyland Adventure Dinners dominated the game. Launched to create frozen dinners kids will actually like, Libby’s incorporated fun themes to get kids excited to eat dinner. Their Libbyland Pirate Picnic, which included a hot dog and macaroni with meatballs, featured pirate-themed elements on its cover as well, making it a treasured kids’ delicacy.
Phone books
Today, phone directories have moved online, and many require a subscription. However, if you had access to a phone book in the ‘70s, you had access to thousands of phone numbers of individuals and businesses. If you wanted to call a certain business, you couldn’t simply find the website online and find the number; you had to flip through thousands of pages. They were tedious to use and heavy to carry, but it was the only way to find a phone number.
Encyclopedia books
Before Google, there were Encyclopedia books. Similar to phone books, if you were curious about a certain topic, encyclopedias were going to be your best bet in the ‘70s. With a number of volumes available, you’d have to flip through thousands of pages to look something up. Today, it only takes a few seconds to look something up. Maybe for this one, the internet may have the upper hand.
Wrap Up
Today’s advancements and inventions have made everyday life easier. But there were certain inventions in the ‘70s that stuck out. While these products no longer exist, one thing is for sure: these products defined the ‘70s.
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