If You Grew Up in the ’80s, You Had These at Home

We recently reminisced about everyday items from the 1970s – things like rabbit ears and pull tabs that today’s younger generation would find baffling. So, it seemed natural to continue our trip down memory lane and explore the 1980s!

The 1980s: Still Analog, Suddenly Flashy

The 1970s were known for their earthy tones and functional designs, but the 1980s embraced boldness and a strong sense of energy. While we still relied on things like cassette tapes and home phones, the decade felt incredibly modern and like a glimpse into the future.

Our “Everyday Life in the 1980s” exhibit first showed the typical places people spent time – malls, arcades, and parking lots filled with family cars – and how they listened to music on the go with Walkmans. Now, we’re taking a closer look at the things that filled their homes and lives: the everyday objects that decorated kitchens, hung on walls, fit in backpacks, and made 1980s living spaces feel so comfortable and familiar.

The 1980s are often remembered for their music and films, but it was also a decade of stuff. There was a lot more plastic, a surge in gadgets, and everything seemed to have more buttons. People collected, traded, and displayed all sorts of items. Looking back now, it all feels like a perfectly preserved snapshot of a more vibrant and materialistic time.

LOOK: 25 Everyday Objects From the 1980s You Totally Forgot About

ColecoVision

Growing up in the early 80s, the ColecoVision was right in the thick of the video game wars with Atari and Intellivision. Honestly, if my folks had sprung for a ColecoVision, I probably would’ve been pretty proud… maybe a little envious if my friends had something different. But man, that thing could look good! It really stood out with those arcade-quality graphics, and having Donkey Kong as a flagship title was a huge deal. It definitely held its own against the competition.

Phone Answering Machine With Mini Cassette

Before voicemail was a standard feature, checking messages meant going home. If you were waiting for important news, like a job offer, you had to physically be at home to listen. Back then, these answering machines used tiny cassette tapes to record messages.

A VHS Rewinder

I remember growing up absolutely terrified of rewinding tapes before returning them to Blockbuster! We all believed this rumor that our VCR would literally melt if we tried it – like, overheat and turn into a plastic mess, and somehow ruin everything. Honestly, I have no idea if there was any truth to it, but nobody I knew was willing to take the chance and find out!

Disposable McDonald’s Aluminum Ashtrays

It’s hard to believe now, but McDonald’s used to be filled with cigarette smoke. Those heavy, brown glass ashtrays were a common sight in the 1970s, and they often ended up being taken home and used at backyard barbecues. They really capture the feeling of that era.

Merlin

Everyone loved Simon, but for those of us who were quiet, bookish, and kept to ourselves, Merlin was the one we really connected with.

Swatches

Remember Swatch watches? They weren’t about practicality – they were all about fashion! The idea was to pick a watch that matched your outfit, and they were surprisingly simple for their time. But with bright colors and tons of different styles, they were incredibly stylish – basically, the plastic shoes of the watch world!

Intellivison Home Gaming System

Mattel’s first attempt at a home video game console was designed to be seen as more sophisticated than its competitors, which is why it was named as it was. They even hired the articulate George Plimpton to be its spokesperson. While it had the best graphics of any console at the time – 16-bit – it didn’t have as many games available, so owning one didn’t always make you the most popular gamer on the block.

A Wall-Mounted Bottle Opener

Anyone who grew up in the 1980s remembers how much better soda tasted from glass bottles – and they’re right! Since glass bottles were so common back then, it made perfect sense to have a bottle opener mounted on the wall right next to the fridge for easy access.

Wacky Packages

Those old Wacky Packages trading cards from the 70s and 80s were hilarious! If you grew up reading Mad Magazine, you probably collected them. Check out this list of 10 surprisingly funny cards: You Won’t Believe These 10 Wacky Packages Cards From the ’70s

Coleco Electronic Quarterback

This simple handheld game, released in the late 1970s, didn’t have much in the way of graphics – it mostly just showed moving red lines! Despite its basic appearance, it remained popular throughout the 1980s. Keep an eye out for it in the original Tron movie – you can spot it briefly on screen.

McDonald’s Styrofoam Containers

As a movie buff, I remember a time when you could actually smoke inside McDonald’s – crazy, right? But it wasn’t just that! They also used to serve everything in styrofoam. I recall hearing about the change when they switched to paper containers for the food back in 1990, but they held onto those styrofoam cups for drinks a little longer. It was actually a pretty big deal and made headlines all over the country!

The Commodore 64

The Commodore VIC-20 was okay, but the Commodore 64 is where the real fun began. Games like Summer Games, inspired by the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, transformed your desk into a small arcade, even if you were supposed to be doing schoolwork.

The Wall-Mounted Kitchen Touch Tone Phone in Many Colors

It’s hard to believe now, but back in the 1980s, people had to use a phone plugged into the wall—often in the kitchen where their parents could overhear—to have private conversations, like gossiping about a crush. That was just how things were then.

Apple Macintosh Plus With Carrying Bag

The Macintosh Plus made computers feel like they could go anywhere – or as much as a 17-pound, off-white machine could! Owning one felt like a glimpse into the future, and likely meant your family benefited greatly from Apple’s success.

Phone Books

Before the internet, finding a local plumber or even a neighbor’s phone number meant flipping through a phone book – and people actually memorized those numbers! It seems strange now, but that’s how it worked. And, surprisingly, phone books sometimes doubled as makeshift booster seats!

Metal Ice Cube Trays With Release Lever

Those old ice trays were tricky – the ice would cling to them like it was being chopped off, and you had to be patient or your fingers would get stuck. It didn’t always work – maybe 60% of the time – but the satisfying crack as the ice finally came loose with a strong twist? That sound instantly takes me back to the 1980s.

Fanny Packs

Okay, let me tell you, as someone who’s seen a lot of trends come and go, these hip bags you kids are rocking? Totally been there, done that. If you’re Gen Z, you probably have no idea, but back in the day, a fanny pack wasn’t ironic – it was essential. We used them to carry our beepers and, let’s be real, our carefully crafted fake IDs. Nothing kept those safe and sound quite like a good fanny pack!

Fisher-Price Playsets

These playsets were incredibly popular toys for children in the 1980s and are now highly sought after by collectors. Many of them were designed as portable carrying cases, complete with handles that folded away, and were perfect for storing accessories like Fisher-Price Little People and toy vehicles.

Are you a fan of Fisher-Price? You might also enjoy this article about iconic Fisher-Price toys from the ’70s and ’80s.

Electric Typewriters

Do you remember when making a typing mistake meant grabbing your correction fluid? While not as cumbersome as old typewriters, these electric models still had a satisfyingly official feel – like you were drafting an important police report on a classic TV show like Hill Street Blues.

Scratch ‘n Sniff Stickers

Remember the 80s? If you weren’t rocking scratch ‘n sniff stickers that smelled like skunk or dill pickle, you weren’t considered cool! Good news – Trend’s scratch ‘n sniff stickers are still available! You can find these nostalgic scents on their website.

This Boombox

Things got lively when an impromptu breakdancing session started near the math classroom. Boomboxes were blasting music – everyone seemed to have their favorite mixtapes – and people were carrying them on their shoulders or holding them up in the air, just like in the movie Say Anything.

The Tandy 2000 Personal Computer

It’s hard to believe now, but Radio Shack once sold computers. I don’t recall anyone I knew actually having one, though. They were powerful machines, but a typical problem with ’80s technology was that they didn’t work well with other devices. It’s fun to imagine a celebrity endorsement from The Incredible Hulk, or rather, David Banner (played by Bill Bixby), for those computers – that would have been amazing!

Sony Walkman

The Sony Walkman, especially the bright yellow, durable sport model, was the must-have companion for activities like rollerblading and Jazzercise.

Polaroid Cameras

Back in the 1970s, taking a picture meant a long wait to see how it turned out. The 1980s revolutionized that – suddenly, you could snap a photo and immediately see the results, even if shaking the camera didn’t actually do anything! It was instant gratification, and you could even write a funny caption right on the photo itself.

Atari

Looking back, the graphics on the Atari are endearingly simple, but it really was a game-changer. It brought the thrill of the arcade home with you! Forget heading to a smoky bar for pinball – you could get a taste of that action right in your living room, even if it meant sacrificing your thumbs to the joystick!

The ‘Sit Ubu Sit’ TV End Title

LOOK: Can You Recognize These Iconic ’70s Objects

A Waterbed

Many kids today probably don’t believe waterbeds were real, but they definitely existed! Instead of a traditional spring mattress, you slept on a huge container of water. They weren’t without their downsides – you could get stuck between the sides and the mattress, and moving one was a major undertaking, almost requiring a plumber. Plus, they were incredibly heavy, and not every house could support the weight. Still, they were undeniably awesome.

A Cash Register

Old-fashioned cash registers were a lot different! Cashiers used to manually enter every price with buttons, calculate change themselves, and didn’t have any help from scanners or screens. Instead of beeps, there was a loud ringing bell, and cashiers had to be quick at math to keep up!

Rabbit Ear Antennas & TV Test Patterns

Before the days of endless channels from cable or streaming, and the ability to instantly skip intros, television was a much simpler, but sometimes frustrating, experience. We relied on clunky rabbit ear antennas to try and pull in a signal, manually adjusting them while twisting a dial – and often accepting a snowy picture as part of the show! It took commitment to watch TV back then.

And who could forget the test pattern? When the nightly programming ended – stations actually signed off at midnight – the screen would fill with colorful bars and a steady tone. For some, it was even a mesmerizing experience, especially if they were feeling adventurous.

A TV ‘Clicker’

You’ve likely heard someone ask for “the clicker,” and it’s a phrase that’s stuck around, much like saying we’re “hanging up” the phone – even though phones don’t actually hang anymore. This is because the very first TV remotes, like the Zenith Space Command, actually did make a clicking sound. They used sound waves to change channels, and the buttons created a mechanical click each time. Interestingly, these early remotes didn’t even need batteries! You can learn more about the history of the “clicker” here: [https://www.howstuffworks.com/why-are-tv-remotes-sometimes-referred-to-as-the-clicker.htm](https://www.howstuffworks.com/why-are-tv-remotes-sometimes-referred-to-as-the-clicker.htm)

A Corded TV Remote

Remember when TVs didn’t have modern remotes? Back then, your little brother might have been the closest thing! But the first real remote was quite different. It wasn’t wireless at all – you actually had to plug it into both the wall and the TV with a long cord that everyone constantly tripped over.

TV Antenna Rotor Control (“the Rotor”) and TV Antenna

Before cable TV, getting a clear picture meant manually tuning your TV. Many people used large antennas, often mounted on their roofs – which also became popular climbing spots for kids retrieving toys! To change channels, you’d use a special remote control box inside the house that rotated the antenna. Interestingly, these rotor control boxes are still available today, if you’re looking for a retro tech project – you can even find them on sites like eBay.

A Juke Box

This photo likely brings the theme song from Happy Days to mind. Back then, restaurant music—especially in diners—wasn’t chosen by computers. Instead, customers selected songs by dropping in a nickel and pressing a button, letting everyone hear their choice. It was a form of audience-driven music, long before we called it that.

Pull Tabs From Soda and Beer Cans

Before soda cans had the tabs that you push in, you had to pull the entire tab off to open them. This meant pull tabs ended up all over the place – in parking lots, on beaches, and in drawers. Some people collected them for crafts, while others just tossed them away. Eventually, people realized that all this loose metal wasn’t safe, so they created the tabs that stay attached to the can. But for a while, opening a soda meant actually removing a piece of metal – and risking a cut!

A Mood Ring

Mood rings were a big fad in the 1970s, promising to reveal your true feelings by changing color. The idea was that they could tell you what you were actually feeling, even if you didn’t realize it – which was a little strange. You might feel okay, but if the ring showed “anxious,” it could make you second-guess yourself. Like some other quirky toys of the time, such as disappearing milk bottles or jumping beans, the science behind mood rings was best left a mystery. And that’s honestly what made them so enjoyable. Speaking of Mexican Jumping Beans…

Mexican Jumping Beans

It’s surprising, but jumping beans are still around! It’s a mystery how animal rights groups haven’t intervened, considering the ‘jumping’ is caused by a tiny moth larva inside. This larva moves around and eats away at the inside of the bean. It sounds unbelievable, right?

Cigarette Dispensing Machine

Back in the 1970s, smoking was completely commonplace. You saw it everywhere – in cars, on planes, in restaurants, and even at high schools. It was simply a normal part of life.

And getting cigarettes was often incredibly easy. Vending machines were common in places like restaurants, bowling alleys, and bars. You could just put in some coins and get a pack – no one asked any questions or even looked at you.

It’s hard to believe now, but for a time, buying cigarettes was as simple as buying a soda.

8-Track Tapes

As a movie and music buff, I definitely remember 8-track tapes! They were basically the grandparents of the cassette, a little bigger and clunkier. The coolest thing about them was that they played continuously – no flipping the tape over! But for me, 8-tracks were always in the car. If we wanted to listen to a particular album, it meant piling into the old Honda Civic to get our fix. Good times, even if the sound quality wasn’t always the best!

Transistor Radios

In the 1970s, listening to music on the go usually meant a transistor radio attached to your belt and just one earbud. Compared to how we listen today, that setup would likely feel pretty strange!

Kodak Flash Cubes

Remember disposable camera flashbulbs? These small, but powerful, bursts of light often gave people in photos spooky red eyes and briefly stunned them. The automatic ‘snap’ after each picture became a classic sound of 1970s photography.

Car Cigarette Lighter

It’s hard to imagine now, but cars used to have manual windows, and a cigarette lighter was considered a luxury! Even stranger, it was common for children to be left unsupervised in cars, where they’d often find trouble. Think of a kid melting a toy soldier’s foot with a lighter just after their mom ran into the store—that kind of thing happened all the time.

45 RPM Record Adapter

It’s hard to believe now, but 45 RPM records used to be incredibly popular – small discs that held just one song on each side. To get them to play correctly, you needed a little plastic insert to stabilize the record, especially when playing at higher speeds. These inserts were notorious for getting lost, often ending up mixed in with toys like those in a Barrel of Monkeys game.

Metal Adjustable Roller Skates With Key

Back in the day, if you and your friends wanted to cruise around your quiet street, roller skates were the way to go. Not the sleek, modern ones—think the old-fashioned, sturdy metal skates that clamped onto your sneakers. You definitely needed the skate tool to keep them secure, and a first-aid kit was a good idea, too, because falls were common!

Nut Cracker and Nut Pick Set

Those old nut pick and cracker sets came in beautiful, original packaging and hadn’t been used in ages, just sitting and collecting dust until guests arrived. They were supposed to be for cracking walnuts neatly, but really, they felt like antiques. No one ever used the sharp tools as they were meant to be used, but you could always count on a mischievous cousin to grab one and carve their name into the picnic table instead.

Drive-In Theater Speaker

Before car stereos and clear radio broadcasts, drive-in movies relied on metal speakers you hooked onto your car window for sound. But honestly, most people were more focused on enjoying snacks and having fun than perfectly hearing the movie!

5 Line Chalk Holder

These simple tools weren’t just for the 1970s, but they were a lifesaver for teachers who needed to draw straight lines, especially on tough mornings. And for students in the band, seeing them meant it was time to learn music theory – and quickly dive into lessons with Do-Re-Mi exercises!

Credit Card Imprinter

Remember when using a credit card wasn’t so simple? Back then, store clerks used a special machine to create a physical copy of your card. It made a really distinct – and a little scary – sound, almost like something falling with a thud. It probably reminds older generations of the cost of back-to-school shopping!

View-Master Reels

View-Masters, those classic toys you can still occasionally find at stores like Target, were a big source of entertainment for kids in the 1970s, when many families only had one television. While kids today have tablets, we spent hours in our bedrooms, using desk lamps to see the same pictures from Disney cartoons over and over again on our View-Masters – and we absolutely loved it.

The Mysterious White Dot in a Black & White TV Set

When color TVs became popular, older black and white sets were often moved to bedrooms or basements. But the biggest annoyance was how long they took to warm up. Strangely, when you turned them off, the screen didn’t just go black. There was always a little white dot remaining in the center. Someone told me it was the moon, and I would stare at the screen, pressing my face close, until the dot disappeared. Even now, I still believe that little dot was the moon.

2026-03-02 23:40