From Disco to Dinner Parties: 20 ’70s Trends We’ve Tossed to the Curb

Ah, the ’70s: a decade of disco, bell-bottoms, and choices that would make modern safety experts faint. While we can chuckle at the fashion and groove to the tunes, some ’70s norms are better left in the past. Let’s take a nostalgic yet eye-opening journey through these relics of yesteryear.

#1. Smoking Like Chimneys Everywhere

Image Credit: Shutterstock / PeopleImages.com – Yuri A

Lighting up in hospitals, planes, and offices was as common as bell-bottom jeans. Clean air was for squares, apparently.

#2. Lead-Based Paint in Every Rainbow Shade

Image Credit: Pexels / Molly Champion

Homes were slathered in lead-based paint because who doesn’t like a side of neurotoxins with their wall decor?

#3. Asbestos: The Miracle Material

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Tunatura

Asbestos was the go-to for insulation, celebrated for its resistance to fire, not for its tendency to cause lung diseases.

#4. Seatbelts: Optional

Image Credit: Shutterstock / ORION PRODUCTION

Cars came with seatbelts, but using them was more of a personal choice than a safety mandate. Flying through windshields was just another ‘70s thrill.

#5. Tan, Don’t Burn… Or Just Burn

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Ground Picture

Sunscreen was an afterthought, if a thought at all. A deep tan was worth the future wrinkles and skin cancer risks.

#6. Casual Sexism and Racism on TV

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Rawpixel.com

TV shows and ads were rife with sexism and racism, played for laughs or just casually inserted into the plot.

#7. Lax Drunk Driving Laws

Image Credit: Pexels / JESHOOTS.com

DUI laws were more lenient, making the roads a much more dangerous place after dark. Cheers to the designated driver not really being a thing.

#8. Freely Roaming Kids

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Brocreative

Children roamed free as birds with little supervision, because apparently, safety in numbers meant you and your imaginary friend.

#9. The Diet Plateau

Image Credit: Pexels / Andrea Piacquadio

Diet and health fads included things like the Sleeping Beauty Diet, where sedation was used for weight loss. Because who needs exercise when you have tranquilizers?

#10. Disco’s Deafening Decibels

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Roman Samborskyi

Concerts and clubs cranked the volume to ear-damage levels without a thought for hearing protection. What?

#11. Unleaded Gasoline? What’s That?

Image Credit: Pexels / Jacob Moore

Leaded gasoline powered cars, poisoning the air while they powered our lives. Progress smelled like exhaust fumes.

#12. The Joy of Junk Food

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Alfonso Cabaleiro

TV dinners and processed foods were the height of cuisine, loaded with preservatives and MSG. Mmm, tastes like childhood.

#13. Lawn Darts: The Flying Menace

Image Credit: Pexels / Kampus Production

A family game that involved throwing sharp metal objects through the air, aiming near people. What could go wrong?

#14. The Hitchhiking Craze

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jetrel

Hitchhiking was seen as a viable mode of transportation, not a true-crime podcast waiting to happen.

#15. Toy Safety, or Lack Thereof

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Yavdat

Toys weren’t exactly designed with safety in mind. If it was fun and only mildly dangerous, it was fair game.

#16. No Bike Helmets

Image Credit: Shutterstock / 4 PM production

Biking without helmets was the norm because fashion often trumped safety. Head injuries were just part of growing up.

#17. The Wild World of Workplaces

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Virrage Images

Workplace safety regulations were more guidelines than rules. Hazards were just part of the job description.

#18. Paint Stripper in Your Soda

Image Credit: Pexels / MART PRODUCTION

Soda contained brominated vegetable oil, a chemical cousin to paint stripper. Refreshing and potentially toxic!

#19. The Normalization of Bullying

Image Credit: Shutterstock / fizkes

Bullying was often dismissed as kids just being kids, with little intervention or support for those on the receiving end.

#20. Environmental Ignorance

Image Credit: Shutterstock / silverkblackstock

Pollution was a sign of progress, and environmental protection was an afterthought. Earth Day was just getting started.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Lomb

While it’s fun to reminisce about the quirks of the ’70s, it’s clear that we’ve come a long way in terms of safety, awareness, and social progress. Let’s laugh at the past, learn from it, and make the future even brighter. Who knows what we’re doing today that will make future generations squirm?

Timeless Taste: 20 Boomer Superfoods That Are Making a Comeback

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Civil

Discover the forgotten superfoods of the boomer generation! From liver to sardines, these nutritional powerhouses are making a comeback. Join us as we rediscover these classic ingredients and their health benefits. Let’s dive into the world of boomer superfoods together! Timeless Taste: 20 Boomer Superfoods That Are Making a Comeback

21 Everyday Grocery Items That Are Loaded With Chemicals

Image Credit: Pexels / Elena Veselova

Grocery shopping can seem like a science experiment, with many products packed with artificial additives instead of nutrients. While convenient and tempting, have you considered what’s really in these items? 21 Everyday Grocery Items That Are Loaded With Chemicals

18 Must-Eat Foods for a Longer Life

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Nungning20

In the quest for a longer life, certain foods can make a big difference. From everyday staples to exotic finds, these options span various budgets and might surprise you. Who knew the secret to longevity could be right in your pantry or at the grocery store? 18 Must-Eat Foods for a Longer Life

22 Cheap Foods Only Americans Love

Image Credit: Shutterstock /The Image Party

In America, where creativity knows no bounds in the kitchen, some foods are both cheap and uniquely American, raising eyebrows in curiosity. Let’s explore these budget-friendly eats that have become staples in the American diet, for better or worse. 22 Cheap Foods Only Americans Love

20 Places Where You Can Enjoy an Old-Fashioned Life

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Lynne Neuman

Escape to places where time stands still and tradition thrives! From cozy American towns to serene countryside getaways worldwide, these destinations offer a break from the chaos of modern life. Whether you’re seeking a simpler lifestyle or a nostalgic retreat, these spots promise affordability and undeniable charm. 20 Places Where You Can Enjoy an Old-Fashioned Life

The post From Disco to Dinner Parties: 20 ’70s Trends We’ve Tossed to the Curb first appeared on elpasoNY.com.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Drazen Zigic.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

Recent Posts