If You Remember These 16 Things From the ’60s, You’re Definitely Old

You know time is catching up with you when things from your childhood now feel like ancient history. Life in the 1960s was a lot simpler, and the little things we took for granted are now long gone. However, it still makes us happy to look back on these 16 things and remember the good old days.

Milk Delivery to Your Doorstep

We can all agree that when you think back now, having fresh milk delivered to your doorstep seems almost luxurious. Every morning, the milkman would stop by, leaving glass bottles filled with fresh milk right outside your door. The sound of clinking bottles was a familiar part of the morning routine.

Black and White TV with Three Channels

It’s almost funny to think about a time when TV had no color and only a few channels to choose from. Back in the ‘60s, there was no such thing as binge-watching or streaming and if you missed a show, that was it.

To make matters worse, you actually had to get up and turn the dial by hand to change the channel.

Drive-In Movies Were the Place to Be

Nothing felt more exciting than packing up the car and heading to the drive-in for a night at the movies. Families brought blankets, pillows, and snacks, making it a cozy and fun experience. Teenagers, on the other hand, saw it as the perfect place for a date. The little speaker that hooked onto your car window didn’t always have the best sound, but nobody really cared.

Penny Candy That Actually Cost a Penny

We still find it hard to believe that candy once cost just a penny, but back in the day, a few cents could buy a lot. Walking to the local store with a handful of change felt like the biggest adventure ever and all the glass jars filled with colorful sweets made it almost impossible to choose.

Listening to the Radio for Your Favorite Song

You can probably remember that waiting for your favorite song to play on the radio was a true test of patience. There were no playlists or instant replays, so when a song finally came on, you had to soak up every second of it.

If you were lucky, you had a portable transistor radio, which let you take the music with you wherever you went.

Metal Ice Trays with a Lever

Let’s be real, making ice cubes used to be a real struggle. Instead of the flexible plastic trays we have today, people had to deal with clunky metal trays with a built-in lever. Now, modern refrigerators make ice with the push of a button, but back then, making a cold drink required some effort.

Cars Without Seat Belts

It’s terrifying to think about how little safety was a concern in the 1960s. Seat belts were either optional or completely missing from the back seats, and most people didn’t think twice about it. Kids would pile into the back of the family station wagon, rolling around freely during road trips.

Pull-Tab Soda Cans

There’s no question about it, opening a soda wasn’t always as easy as it is now. Before the modern pop-top design, cans had pull-tabs that came off completely.

These tiny metal rings were fun to play with, but they were also sharp and could easily cut your fingers.

Jiffy Pop on the Stovetop

Before microwave popcorn, making a bowl of hot, buttery popcorn was a little more hands-on. Jiffy Pop was the go-to choice, and watching the foil dome expand as the kernels popped was half the fun. If you shook the pan too much, you risked burning the popcorn, but if you didn’t shake it enough, some kernels wouldn’t pop.

Rotary Phones That Took Forever to Dial

Now, let’s be honest, using a rotary phone was a test of patience. Every single digit had to be dialed by spinning a heavy plastic wheel and waiting for it to slowly rotate back and if you messed up a number, you had to start all over again.

TV Sign-Offs at Midnight

It might sound strange, but there was a time when television actually turned off for the night. Instead of endless late-night programming, stations would sign off at midnight by playing the national anthem, followed by static. If you stayed up too late, you’d be staring at a black-and-white test pattern until morning.

The Smell of Freshly Printed Ditto Sheets

If you went to school in the ‘60s, you probably remember the smell of freshly printed worksheets. Teachers used a ditto machine, which was an early type of copier that printed in purple ink, to make class handouts.

The ink had a very distinct chemical smell, and kids couldn’t resist sniffing the fresh pages when they were passed out.

Running Behind the Bug Spray Truck

When you look back now, this one seems completely unbelievable. During summer evenings, trucks would drive through neighborhoods spraying a thick fog of bug repellent to kill mosquitoes. Kids thought it was fun to run behind the truck, playing in the mist like it was some kind of magical fog.

Soda Machines That Dispensed Glass Bottles

For sure, getting a cold soda in the ‘60s was a little different than it is today. Vending machines didn’t just drop a can into a slot, they actually dispensed glass bottles. You had to reach in, pull your drink out, and then pop the cap off using the built-in opener on the machine.

Catalog Shopping with the Sears Wish Book

If you ever spent hours flipping through a giant Sears catalog, you know exactly how exciting catalog shopping used to be.

The Sears Wish Book was the closest thing to online shopping in the ‘60s, and kids would circle toys, bikes, and clothes, hoping their parents would take the hint.

This article includes content generated by AI.