Every generation has its own trends and fads they can remember fondly when they reflect on their youth. Gen X had the first game consoles like Atari and Nintendo, the Rubik's Cube which dominated the '80s, and excellent Saturday morning cartoons like Looney Tunes. Millennials had Tamagotchis and Game Boys. Then there are the baby boomers.
Once the largest generation (Gen Z is now the largest globally), baby boomers were known for their sheer size and cultural influence. This generation grew up immersed in unique trends emblematic of the times. Born between 1946 and 1964, boomers represented an unprecedented 40% of the U.S. population, their preferences and pastimes leaving an indelible mark on the nation.
24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of nostalgic fads that shaped baby boomer youth. We consulted various cultural websites as sources. With tastes often shifting on a dime, boomers enthusiastically embraced many fleeting fads that may seem curious or confounding today. (It wasn't just boomer fads that were different. Here are some things baby boomers say that no one else understands.)
Earth Shoes
Earth shoes were popular footwear in the 1970s in keeping with the environmental movement.
Using CB Radios
Before there was social media, CB radios, used by truckers to get information about traffic, became popular among the general public.
Putting Baseball Cards in Bicycle Spokes
A fad among kids was putting baseball cards in the spokes of their bikes for the rattling sound they made.
Putting All Kinds of Food in Jell-O
People put all manner of foods inside the gelatinous creation.
Riding a Banana-Seat Bicycle
A banana seat was common on bicycles ridden by baby boomers.
Using a Walkman
Walkmans allowed young people to take their music with them.
Playing Cassettes
Another way to take your music with you was via cassette, which had its own player in some cars.
Playing 8-Tracks
8-tracks were popular among baby boomers until CDs dominated the music market.
Putting Carpeting on Car's Dashboards
Young buyers of used Ford models would sometimes put carpeting over the dashboard.
Wood-Paneled Station Wagons
Wood paneling was a desired feature among car buyers in the 1960s and 1970s.
Instant Cameras
The Polaroid Swinger camera was one of the company's biggest-selling products in many markets in the late 1960s.
Drinking Water From a Hose
If kids got thirsty, a garden hose was a handy, if not the most sanitary, source of water.
Disco
Disco groups like Lipps, Inc. were big in the 1970s.
Caring for Pet Rocks
The pet rock was a novelty gift in 1975 that sold for $3.95 and the fad lasted about six months.
Platform Shoes
Platform shoes were a must-have for fashionistas in the 1970s.
Davy Crockett Coonskin Hats
Coonskin hats were popular among kids because of the TV series starring Fess Parker as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone.
Roller Disco Parties
Roller disco combined roller skating and disco music.
Leggings
Leggings were brightly colored in the 1970s.
