10 Things People in the 1970s Couldn’t Live Without

Think back to a time when staying in touch meant spinning a dial, your music came in giant stacks of vinyl, and Saturday mornings were all about cartoons and cereal. Welcome to the 1970s — a wild, colorful decade filled with bell bottoms, muscle cars, and the warm crackle of vinyl. In this nostalgic ride, we’re looking back at 10 things people in the ’70s just couldn’t live without.

1. Bell Bottoms and Platform Shoes
If you were in a crowd during the ’70s, odds are you were staring at a sea of flared pants and towering footwear. Bell bottoms — inspired by Navy uniforms — were everywhere, from discos to high school halls. And they didn’t stop at flared; some were so wide, they could double as parachutes. Complete the look with sky-high platform shoes that turned sidewalks into runways (and ankles into hazard zones).

2. Vinyl Records and Stereo Systems
In the 70s, music wasn’t streamed — it was worshipped. Vinyl records weren’t just albums, they were artifacts. Playing one was a ritual: sliding it out, dropping the needle, and letting Pink Floyd or Fleetwood Mac fill the room. Of course, the sound had to be just right, so every living room had a bulky stereo system with speakers the size of a dishwasher.

3. Television
No streaming, no DVR — just good ol’ scheduled programming. If your favorite show was on at 8:00 PM, you better be parked in front of the TV by 7:59. Saturday morning cartoons were sacred, and missing an episode of The Brady Bunch or SNL meant being totally out of the loop. TVs were massive wooden boxes that doubled as furniture, and channels were so few, everyone watched the same thing at the same time.

4. Bikes
For kids, a bike was pure freedom on two wheels. With banana seats, tall handlebars, and streamers, bikes weren’t just for getting around — they were your identity. No helmets, no tracking, just you and your friends roaming the neighborhood until the streetlights came on. And if you saw a pile of bikes on a lawn? That’s where the party was.

5. Muscle Cars and Cruising Culture
If you were a teen, the road was your social media. Cruising Main Street in a Camaro or Mustang, music blaring, was the ultimate flex. Cars were loud, fast, and outrageously cool — even if they guzzled gas like soda. Drive-ins and burger joints were hangouts, and you didn’t need GPS — just a good set of wheels and a full tank.

6. Rotary Phones
Long before cellphones, calling someone meant dialing on a rotary phone — one digit at a time, with patience. You stretched the cord into the nearest closet for privacy, while your family eavesdropped nearby. No caller ID, no voicemail — just hope they picked up. And if they didn’t? Try again later.

7. Wild Fashion Accessories
In the ’70s, more was more. Mood rings, rainbow suspenders, puka shell necklaces, and feathered roach clips were standard attire. Earth Shoes gave you weird posture, and platform sneakers made you feel like a disco god. Fashion wasn’t about matching — it was about expressing.

8. Smoking Everywhere
Cigarettes were practically a fifth food group. People smoked on planes, in offices, even at the doctor’s. Kids saw smoking everywhere, and vending machines didn’t even ask for ID. Anti-smoking campaigns didn’t kick in until the decade’s end, so for most of the ‘70s, lighting up was just what you did.

9. Arcades and Public Gaming
Before home consoles, arcades were the place to be. You’d save your quarters all week just to blast aliens or dominate the pinball machine. High scores meant bragging rights, and everyone watched the pros at work. It was loud, competitive, and incredibly fun.

10. Print Media
No internet? No problem. Newspapers, magazines, and thick Sears catalogs ruled the day. You circled Christmas wish lists, cut out TV guides, and taped David Cassidy posters on your wall. If you wanted news or gossip, you flipped pages — not tabs.

The 1970s may be gone, but these everyday essentials shaped a whole generation. Which one would you bring back?