Kids growing up with today's technology might have a lot of great opportunities at their fingertips, but I am not convinced that they are having more fun than the children of the 50s and 60s. If you are a member of the baby boomer generation, you may remember these products from your childhood! |
1. Banana Seat Bicycles - these may not have been able to take you up mountains or over difficult terrain like today's bikes, but they were one heck of a lot of fun to ride around the neighborhood during summer vacation! |
2. Original Barbie Dolls - Everyone's favorite glamorous piece of plastic first hit the shelves in 1959 and were soon coveted by young girls everywhere |
3. TV Dinners - Swanson were one of the early forerunners on the convenience meal market. This one had chicken, veg, sauce and an apple cobbler - all ready to be eaten in front of the TV. Delicious? |
4. Rollerskates - Who remembers when rollerskates looked like this? They were actually invented in the 19th century, but their popularity grew hugely in the 1950s and 1960s. Simple, but effective fun. |
|
5. A Pet Rock - The training manual was absolutely crucial. Who would want their pet rock to run away, or savage the next door neighbor? |
6. Silly Putty - This toy for the ages first appeared on the shelves in the mid-1950s and has been delighting kids ever since. It is still sold today, despite the hi-tech advances of the computer age. |
7. Pop Tarts - The unmistakable, rectangular, quick and easy breakfast snack first hit stores in 1964. They are still made today and as of 2014, sales had increased for 32 consecutive years, so they'll be around for some time yet. |
8. Sketch.O.Matic - Who thought this to be the height of innovative technology back in the day? The Sketch.O.Matic turned us all into (temporary) artists. |
9. Original Hot Wheels - The toy every boy wanted from the late 60s onwards, these tiny painted cars were a perfect piece of marketing. So many to collect, and enough gimmicks to keep any boomer happy. |
10. Tang - Anyone still yearn for an instant burst of powdered fruit that allows them to drink like an astronaut? First introduced in 1957, Tang was popularized by John Glenn who drank it on the NASA Mercury mission in 1962. |
11. Mr. Potato Head - Another enduring toy still enjoyed today, the original Mr. Potato Heads were surely best though. The smoking pipe was just too nice a touch! |
12. Troll Dolls - These were pretty hard to miss - with their bright hair, belly button jewels and gnarled faces. They were first introduced in 1957 and have had a number of variants since. |
13. Chatty Cathy - The inspiration for thousands of talking dolls to come, so hugely appreciated by children and desperately hated by adults. The technology that made her talk was very much in vogue back in the 1960s. |
14. Howdy Doody - Inspired by the TV program, you could own your very own Howdy Doody from 1955. His mouth moved when you pulled a string - its big selling point as you can see from the box. |
15. Play-Doh - The simple toy that produced so much art! Play-Doh first appeared in the States in 1956 and was exported to Europe in 1964. More than 2 billion cans had been sold by 2005. |
Previous Generations Sure Knew a Thing or Two About Style
It's not just your imagination, people in the past really were more stylish and glamorous. Take a walk down memory lane with these 11 nostalgic photos.
The Most Beautiful Car Ever Made, as Enzo Ferrari Put it
Watch this collection of photos of the Jaguar E-Type
Vintage Photos Showing the Coolest Generation in its Prime
Enjoy a collection of 13 vintage photographs showing how cool life used to be.
These Vintage Pics of Dressed Up Cats & Dogs Are Too Cute!
It's always great when beautiful vintage photos turn up, but they're even better when they feature adorable dogs and cats all dressed up! Take a look.
These Amazing Photos Capture Coney Island In Its Heyday
Comey Island is iconic as a New York City destination, and that's due to its many amusement attractions. Take a look of what it was like back in its heyday.
12 Vintage Luxury Cars That will Make You Nostalgic
12 beautiful vintage cars that are no longer on the road, but should be back
Enjoy These Brilliant Documentaries for Free on YouTube
Done with your Netflix’s docuseries supply? Check out these wonderful free documentaries on YouTube next.
Untamed Spirits: Tales of Legendary Mountain Men!
Not many know about these iconic men of the mountains.
12 Oddly Specific and Often Funny Terms You Didn’t Know
Did you know the space between your eyebrows has a name? Or what a tittle is? Learn these oddly specific and quite funny terms in this article.
These Unique Maps Will Change Your Worldview
These maps show much more than just where a country is...
I Can’t Get Over These Astonishing Magic Tricks!
Enjoy this magical compilation of astonishing performances by illusionist Darcy Oake.
History is Full of Strong and Brave Women...
33 photos of the bravest and strongest women in history who changed the world and made it better. These women all had to fight for what they achieved, and some suffered for it as well.
11 New English Words That Are Actually USEFUL To Know
The majority of new English words are very short-lived, but these were added to various dictionaries and seem to be quite useful to know
Genghis Khan: Brutal Mass Murderer, or Enlightened Ruler?
Genghis Khan is one of the most famed and feared names in history, but how did he become so great?
These Are the Most Famous Swords Ever Forged!
Check out 8 of the most legendary swords to have ever graced the field of battle!
Meet the Sweet Girl With a ‘Benjamin Button’ Condition
Meet Isla Kilpatrick-Screaton, the only girl in the world with 'Benjamin Button' disease.
11 Fun Charts - You’ll Love Learning All This Useful Info!
In these helpful visual guides, we cover such important topics as distinguishing heart attack symptoms in men and women, and how to care for your indoor plants.
20 Unforgettable Last Words Spoken By Famous People
There’s something poignaant about reading famous last words.
30 Essential Medical Terms For Bodily Functions
The next time you hear a doctor utter something in Latin, pay close attention, as after reading this article, you may understand what it means.
The Extraordinary Lives of the Oldest Record Breakers
From marathoners and skydivers to body-builders and pianists, here are some of the world’s oldest record-breakers.
Watch: An Emotional Interview With a Dunkirk Veteran
At the premiere of the hit movie, Dunkirk, at Calgary’s Westhills Cinemas, theatergoers ended up having a surprise encounter with a 97-year-old veteran.
8 Facts You Learned at School that Are No Longer True!
The passage of time leads things that were once accepted as facts to actually be proven as incorrect. Here are 8 supposed facts that aren’t really true.
I Just Wanted to Remind You: You're the BEST!
Do you know someone who ought to be given some appreciation? Make their day today by congratulating them with a sweet compliment!
The Art of War by Sun Tzu: A Beautiful Summary
Sun Tzu's the Art of War is still perhaps the greatest treatise on military strategy ever. This animated short explains the book in under 10 minutes.
12 Freaky Photos of Olympians That Will Shock You
These surreal pictures of Olympians will make you see athletes in a different light.
Check Your Pockets Now! This Quarter Is Worth Thousands!
There's a quarter out there that is worth thousands of dollars. Here's what you need to look out for.
These Feel-Good Facts Warmed My Heart...
These feel-good facts would warm anyone's heart.
8 Incredible Historical Predictions that Actually Came True
Here, we present some truly remarkable fictional predictions made in history that actually turned out to be true.
The Truth About June. Touching and Wonderful.
A beautiful story about a mother's love, which I warmly recommend.
A Nostalgic Look Back at Prices in the Past (14 Pics)
Travel back to the time when things cost just a few cents.
These Ancient Stories Were Lost to the Sands of Time
Even some of the world's greatest stories can be forgotten due to the passage of time. After much digging, we rounded up 10 of the best. Read on!
This Triple Spiral Domino Is Driving the Internet WILD!
Hevesh5 is a professional domino artist that is tearing the internet apart with this amazing display! I have never seen anything like this!
Millennials Are Killing These 12 Industries...
The preferences of millennials are destroying dozens of industries. Here are 12 industries that they're killing.
15 People Who Have the STRANGEST Hobbies
Some people's hobbies, as it turns out, are stranger than others. Here are 15 bizarre yet cool hobbies keeping people busy
Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" are Much More Than Just Music
In this TED-Ed video, Betsy Schwarm explains just why it is that you should listen to Vivaldi's "Four Seasons."
Benjamin Franklin's Wisdom Has Echoed Throughout the Ages
In addition to being one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin left many a thought to ponder. Here are 15 of his most famous quotes.
8 Infamous Crimes That Left a Mark on History
These true crime stories became so sensational that they changed the culture and went to be remembered in history.
Dance Styles in the 1920 Were So Much FUN!
Enjoy this delightful clip from the movie ‘Don't Knock the Rock’, which shows some groove dance moves from the 1920s.
I've Never Heard This Amazing Tale From the 2nd World War
This is going to be one of the most amazing stories you've ever heard. I guarantee it.
These Amazing Illusions Are Enough to Make Your Head Spin
Optical illusions have the potential to highlight how the human mind plays tricks when it comes to perceiving things. Take a look at these 20 optical illusions.
10 Incredible People You Never Heard Of!
Here are 10 people who have, in their own ways, saved countless lives and at times, the entire planet. They deserve to be known.
This May Be the Most Amazing Watch Ever Created...
Luxury watch makers Van Cleef & Arpels have created this dazzling creation, showing the planets and our sun while a small comet moves along a track to tell us the time.
Monica Lewinsky: I Paid The Price of Shame...
We all connect the name Monica Lewinsky with shame, what is it like being the one at the other end of this story?
Fact or Fiction? Debunking History's Most Common Myths
Update your knowledge of the Middle Ages by learning the truth behind these 12 common myths.
These Unique Maps Tell a Great Deal...
These 19 maps of the world are anything but boring. Each map is compelling and teaches you something new about the world.
Every Common Phrase Started Somehow...
The origins of these common phrases are fascinating.
Got a Problem? Maybe These Funny Fixes Will Inspire You!
The fixes for these problems are going to bring a huge grin to your face!