“Groovy Times”: 18 Unforgettable Things That Were All The Rage For Boomers

Remember when the world was all rotary phones, black-and-white TVs, and vinyl records? When you had to physically get up to change the channel, and your hair was higher than your dreams? Ah, the good ol’ days! Let’s put on our granny glasses, kick back, and take a trip down memory lane with 18 iconic treasures that’ll make you say, “Ah, yes, I remember it well!” Ready? Let’s groove!  

The Epic Tale of Granny Glasses

 

  These weren’t just any glasses; they were round and usually had a wire frame. Grandmas and grandpas looked scholarly and chic in what we now call “granny glasses.” Today, you’d only see something like this in a vintage shop or on a movie character who’s supposed to be “old-fashioned.” This was before glasses focused on minimalism and high-tech materials.  

When Lava Lamps Lit Up Lives

 

  Picture a lamp, but not just any lamp. We’re talking about a tubular piece of magic filled with gooey, floaty blobs of colored wax. They would rise and sink, giving a mesmerizing show in your room. Today, we’ve got smartphone apps for that! Back then, a lava lamp was the ultimate mood-setter. Newer generations would never understand the appeal.  

The Sky-High Adventures in Go-Go Boots

 

  Girls back then would wear these super-shiny boots that went all the way up to their knees. Think Wonder Woman, but without the lasso. They were white, they were eye-catching, and they screamed, “Look at me!” These boots have been replaced by all sorts of trendy footwear today, leaving only boomers with the memory of the original knee-high craze.  

The Royal Affair with Chicken à la King

 

  Okay, it wasn’t chicken for kings, but it felt like it. Picture a steamy dish full of tender chicken pieces covered in a creamy sauce and sometimes sprinkled with green peas and red pimientos. Yum! Modern cuisine has moved on to kale salads and sushi rolls, making Chicken à la King a dish of yesteryears that only boomers still crave.  

Tug of War with the Channel Commander

 

  The remote control used to have a long, trip-over-it-every-time cord that connected it to the TV. Imagine not being able to lose the remote because it was physically attached to your television! Only boomers remember this as they transitioned from this clumsy gadget to the sleek, wireless remotes we use today.  

Bell Bottoms, the Real Deal

 

  Jeans have come a long way, but nothing beats the bell bottoms for boomers. These jeans widened from the knees down, creating a bell-like shape. They were a fashion statement that no one could ignore. With today’s skinny jeans and chinos, young people can’t appreciate the style revolution that bell bottoms were for the boomers.  

Ride the Wave on Bicycles with Banana Seats

 

  The coolest kids in town rode bicycles with super-long seats, which were usually bright-colored and made you feel like you were riding a stretch limo on two wheels. Biking has become so specialized now, with mountain, road, and electric bikes, that the simple joy of a banana seat is something only a boomer can reminisce about.  

Wood Meets Steel in Woody Station Wagons

 

  Ah, the Woody Station Wagon. Adorned with faux wood paneling, that tank-like vehicle was a cultural icon of boomer youth. It was like a mini-house on wheels, capable of accommodating family, pets, and every piece of luggage you could imagine. These wagons were the epitome of the family road trip, from visiting Grandma to exploring national parks.   

Forget Smartphones, We Had Smart Shrimp!

 

  Tiny packets brought these brine shrimp to life, transforming an ordinary aquarium into a magical sea monkey kingdom. To a boomer kid, it was like having a National Geographic special right on your bedroom desk. But now? Kids are more entranced by the digital aqua life in their virtual fish tanks.   

Wobbly Worlds of Gelatin for Dessert and Salad

 

  From crimson cherry to lime green, the gelatin world was colorful, full of delightful wobbles and jiggles. While boomers were mixing canned fruit and tuna into their Jell-O molds, modern society is sticking to quinoa salads and protein shakes. Today, the idea of a shrimp cocktail encased in gelatin would make people clutch their pearls.   

No Wi-Fi, Just Spooky Wi-Fives

 

  Before there was Google, Siri, or Alexa, you had the Ouija board to solve life’s mysteries. You and your friends would huddle around this magical board and spell out answers to questions like, “Who’s my crush?” Only boomers can appreciate the thrilling anticipation of watching that wooden pointer glide across the board.  

Fashion or Art? You Decide!

 

  Picture this: It’s the weekend, and you’re outside with buckets of dye, twisting your shirt into a psychedelic masterpiece. These shirts were a fashion statement, and an art project rolled into one. Now, we’re in an age of mass-produced tie-dye tees sold in trendy stores. But only boomers know the joy and pride of creating their own walking works of art.  

The Atari Craze, Before Gaming Got Complicated

 

  When Pong hit the scene, it was revolutionary. With a square “ball” and two “paddles,” Atari brought simplicity and fun to the living room. Flash forward to today, and gaming involves complex storylines, virtual reality, and a guidebook worth of controls. Boomers hold the secret to a time when the joys of gaming were pure and straightforward.  

Stairway to Fashion Heaven

 

  Boomers know the sheer thrill of slipping into these gravity-defying shoes. Suddenly, you were a few inches taller and felt like you could conquer the world—or at least the disco floor. Today’s shoe game is much flatter, and height comes in the form of high heels and sneakers with thick soles. But they’re no match for the grandeur of the true platform shoe.  

The Workout of Dialing Rotary Phones

 

  Remember the gratifying whirl of the dial as you spun it around to call your best friend or order a pizza? It was like a mini workout for your fingers, with each number dialed, building anticipation for the conversation ahead. Nowadays, dialing is as simple as tapping a screen, and the sense of ceremony in making a phone call has all but disappeared.  

Black and White TV, the Original Monochrome

 

  Forget color, high-definition, or 4K. Boomers grew up watching the world in glorious shades of gray. The story was about the hero, not the special effects or vivid colors. When color TVs arrived, it was monumental but not enough to erase the memories of monochromatic viewing. It seems like such a foreign concept today.  

Posters with a Magical Glow

 

  The room wasn’t complete without a black light poster illuminating your teenage sanctuary. The artwork would spring to life when the lights went off, creating an atmosphere of mystical beauty. Today’s posters might have better print quality, but they lack the luminescent charisma that only boomers know and love.  

Elevation by Hairspray

 

  A can of hairspray, a teasing comb, and voilà! Your hair was reaching for the heavens. The bouffant was more than a hairstyle; it was a masterpiece, a sculpture balancing atop your head. Today’s trend leans toward natural and simple looks, leaving the sky-high bouffant a lofty memory for only boomers.  

A Screen Full of Nothing but the TV Test Pattern

 

  Before the 24-hour news cycle and endless streaming options, TV had a bedtime. You’d be greeted by a test pattern once the late-night movie or talk show was over. It was like TV’s way of telling you to go read a book or get some sleep. In today’s 24/7 media landscape, the concept of a TV timeout is as retro as it gets.  

Lost in Southern Translation: 18 Baffling Phrases from the South That’ll Leave Y’all Reaching for a Dictionary

  The Southern United States has a rich linguistic tradition that can often be a puzzle to those unfamiliar with the region’s unique vernacular. It’s not just the charming accent, but also the colorful phrases and expressions that add a dash of spice to the language. Let’s decode 18 such Southern phrases.

Lost in Southern Translation: 18 Baffling Phrases from the South That’ll Leave Y’all Reaching for a Dictionary

 

The Unpopular Yet Lucrative: 13 High-Paying Jobs Few Choose to Pursue

Despite their attractive salaries, there are specific high-paying jobs that need help to attract candidates due to various reasons. These unique professions offer financial rewards but often require more individuals to undertake the associated challenges. Let’s explore 14 such occupations that require specialized skills or involve demanding conditions but come with significant monetary compensation. The Unpopular Yet Lucrative: 13 High-Paying Jobs Few Choose to Pursue

Unmasking the Unpleasant: 12 Telltale Signs You Might Just Be a ‘Terrible Person’

You can tell if someone is a good person based on their words and actions. You can also use the same standard to determine if someone isn’t a good person. But what should you be looking for? An online community asked its members to describe the characteristics of someone who isn’t a good person, and the results were eye-opening Unmasking the Unpleasant: 12 Telltale Signs You Might Just Be a ‘Terrible Person’