11 Household Items That Were a Luxury 50 Years Ago
Half a century ago, many household items we now consider everyday essentials were once symbols of luxury and cutting-edge innovation. Reserved for only the affluent, these items represented the pinnacle of modern living and technological advancement. From kitchen gadgets to entertainment systems, these 11 commonplace products transformed daily life and set the stage for the many conveniences we enjoy today.
1. Microwave Ovens
In the early 1970s, microwaves were seen as a futuristic marvel by allowing food to be heated in minutes rather than hours in the oven. Though early versions were bulky and expensive, they were considered a status symbol for those who could afford them.
2. Color TVs
While black-and-white TVs were common across America, color televisions completely changed the game by bringing vibrant visuals into living rooms. A common pastime would see families gathering to watch their favorite TV shows in color, making it a centerpiece of home entertainment. (How did people get by without Netflix?!)
3. Dishwashers
Back in the day, washing dishes by hand was the norm. That is, until dishwashers came into the scene. Though early models were clunky and pricey, they were a revolutionary device in terms of speed and convenience.
4. Air Conditioning
Prior to the 1970s, central cooling was a rare luxury, as most houses lacked the proper infrastructure and had to rely on fans or window units to stay cool. Back then, having a cool home during the summer months was seen as a sign of wealth.
5. Cordless Phones
Cordless phones, though limited in range, were a sleek upgrade from their tethered predecessors that kept us confined to the kitchen wall or living room table.
6. Videocassette Recorders (VCRs)
The ability to record TV shows or watch movies at home was a game-changer. Though VCRs were expensive and complicated to use in the early ’70s, they paved the way for home entertainment that we know today.
7. Food Processors
Chopping and blending by hand was tedious, so food processors became a marvel tool in the kitchen in the ’70s and ’80s. Just imagine how cool it must have felt showing off the nifty gadget during dinner parties.
8. Frost-Free Refrigerators
Early refrigerators required manual defrosting, a tedious chore that involved unplugging the fridge and chipping away at built-up ice. Today, this task has been completely eliminated thanks to advanced cooling systems that prevent ice buildup.
9. Washer and Dryer Sets
Back in the day, doing laundry by hand or at a laundromat was the norm, so owning a washer and dryer set was the ultimate flex (still is if you live in New York City). These appliances saved hours of labor and became a hallmark of modern living.
10. Calculators
Before smartphones, pocket calculators were considered high-tech luxury. They were expensive and often used by professionals or math students who needed quick computations, but still, they were seen as cutting-edge at the time.
11. Personal Computers (PCs)
In the ’70s, PCs were a groundbreaking luxury exclusively reserved for businesses and the ultra-rich. These early models, like the Apple II or IBM 5100, were bulky, expensive, and required technical know-how to operate. But they represented the dawn of a new digital era by offering capabilities like word processing, basic programming, and data storage.
Still have your old Apple computer? Take a look at these vintage Apple products and see if it’s worth something today.