14 Classic 1960s Products That Bring Back Memories

A red fondue pot sits on a black stand with a burner underneath, placed on a wooden board. Five fondue forks with colored tips are arranged on the table beside the pot.
mg7/istockphoto

If fondue sets, go-go boots, and transistor radios make you remember the “good ol’ days,” then you probably had a great time in the ’60s. This decade wasn’t just about peace signs and rock ‘n’ roll — it was a golden era of experimentation, style, and downright fun. Some of the most iconic 1960s products include innovative toys and kitchen gadgets, many of which promised to make life easier.

Whether you were sketching doodles on an Etch-a-Sketch or pouring yourself a glass of Tang (because astronauts drank it, so obviously it was cool), the 1960s had something for everyone. These are the products that defined the era.

1. ‘The Beatles’ Merchandise

A collection of Beatles memorabilia, including buttons, cards, magazines, pens, and a box of "Beatles" bandages. Items feature images and text related to the band, such as "Help the Beatles" and "Beatle Bug.
Blank Archives/Getty Images
Blank Archives/Getty Images

“The Beatles” were one of the biggest bands in the 1960s. Fans had to have all the ridiculous merchandise made with John, Paul, George, and Ringo’s names and faces on it.

2. Go-Go Boots

A woman in a stylish 1960s outfit featuring a short romper, knee-high boots, and carrying a handbag poses with a smile. The image is in black and white, highlighting the retro fashion.
Lambert/Getty Images
Lambert/Getty Images

These knee-high, low-heeled white boots burst onto the scene during the mid-60s and swiftly became a staple in the decade’s fashion footprint.

3. Fondue Sets

A couple enjoys fondue in a cozy living room with a modern fireplace. The woman wears a white dress, and the man is in a black suit. A yellow fondue pot is on the floor beside a glass of iced drink, and plants and pendant lights decorate the space.
Dennis Hannilan / Getty
Dennis Hannilan / Getty

If you hosted a fancy dinner party during this decade, communal fondue pots were all the rage. Whether you were melting cheese or chocolate, this 1960s product was a complete and utter vibe.

4. Etch-a-Sketch

A red Etch A Sketch drawing toy inside an open cardboard package. The toy has a gray screen with two white knobs. To the right, there's an instruction manual and box cover with "etch-a-sketch" text.
u/Edm_vanhalen1981 via Reddit.com
u/Edm_vanhalen1981 via Reddit.com

Debuted in 1960, Etch-a-Sketch has to be one of the most iconic toys of all time. Whether you stuck to creating steps, tweaked on the knobs to create your own personal Pollack, or went for the gusto and tried to make actual images or letters, this toy offered endless fun.

5. Polaroid Swinger Camera

A vintage Polaroid Land Camera Swinger Model 20, featuring a white body with a black viewfinder and lens area, and a red shutter button, is displayed on a white background.
Camerafiend at English Wikipedia
Camerafiend at English Wikipedia

As the first affordable instant camera, the Polaroid Swinger was wildly popular during the 1960s. It was especially beloved in the youth market.

6. Transistor Radios 

Vintage green radio with a horizontal speaker grill and a large round gold dial displaying frequency numbers from 55 to 170. The dial features two control knobs at the bottom. The radio is set against a plain white background.
tadphoto/istockphoto
tadphoto/istockphoto

Long before iPods, MP3 players, and Walkmans, transistor radios were the go-to portable music players. Just about everyone had one in the 1960s.

7. Tang

A vintage can of Tang instant breakfast drink with a colorful label. The label features a glass of orange drink and text highlighting that it makes 5 gallons and requires no refrigeration or defrosting.
Roadsidepictures / Flickr
Roadsidepictures / Flickr

Who didn’t love Tang? This orange breakfast beverage put Tropicana to shame, and Sunny D could never. In the 1960s, Tang was considered the King of Drinks.

8. Easy-Bake Ovens

A vintage box of a Kenner's Original Easy-Bake Oven is shown. The packaging features an image of the yellow toy oven and various baked goods. It advertises baking with ordinary light bulbs and includes cake and frosting mixes.
winches_1967 / ebay
winches_1967 / ebay

When Easy-Bake ovens came out in the 1960s, kids everywhere got to unleash their inner bakers and treat Mom and Dad to some goodies for a change. The original Easy-Bake was sold with a cookbook, the oven, pans, and all the fixings for Devil’s Food cake, white cake, and chocolate frosting.

9. Tupperware

Six orange plastic containers with matching lids, varying in size and shape, are arranged on a white surface. Each lid has a radiating pattern from the center. The background shows a white appliance.
r/nostalgia via Reddit.com
r/nostalgia via Reddit.com

Tupperware might not have debuted during the 1960s, but it was certainly insanely popular during the decade. The funkier the Tupperware colors, the more coveted the containers.

10. G.I. Joe Action Figures

A vintage G.I. Joe action figure in a blue denim outfit is displayed between two colorful boxes labeled "G.I. Joe Action Sailor" and "G.I. Joe Action Soldier." The boxes feature illustrations of soldiers in action.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The ’60s brought us the first action figures with G.I. Joes, and people went nuts. Hasbro couldn’t pump new Joes out fast enough to keep up with the demand.

11. Lava Lamps

A room corner with a lava lamp glowing in pink and white on a table beside a vintage clock. A coffee maker and stacked bowls are to the left. The wall is covered with retro posters and photos, creating a nostalgic ambiance.
Nicky Digital/Corbis via Getty Images
Nicky Digital/Corbis via Getty Images

Nightstands everywhere were made all the more groovy thanks to lava lamps, a classic 1960s product. They were, after all, the optimal alarm clock companion. 

12. Push-Button Telephones

Close-up of a person's hand holding a green rotary phone receiver to their ear while the other hand dials a number. The phone is placed on a wooden surface. The person is wearing a white shirt.
Harold M. Lambert / Getty
Harold M. Lambert / Getty

Introduced in 1963, push-button phones were a giant modern leap forward from rotary dials. As a result, tons of people just had to have one.

13. Electric Can Openers

Vintage General Electric appliance on a plaid background, featuring a can opener and ice crusher with a metallic lever and gear mechanism. The label reads "General Electric" and "Easy Clean Automatic Shut-Off Can Opener Ice Crusher.
Retrotreasureseekers / Etsy
Retrotreasureseekers / Etsy

Why waste your arm strength on frivolous things like opening a can of Spaghetti-O’s? The electric can opener was a kitchen staple in the 1960s.

14. Transistor Radios 

Vintage green radio with a horizontal speaker grill and a large round gold dial displaying frequency numbers from 55 to 170. The dial features two control knobs at the bottom. The radio is set against a plain white background.
tadphoto/istockphoto
tadphoto/istockphoto

Long before iPods, MP3 players, and Walkmans, transistor radios were the go-to portable music players. Just about everyone had one in the 1960s.