These 1960s Habits Would Not Be Acceptable Today
The 1960s were an interesting time to be alive, to say the least. While the era is remembered for the counterculture movement, it was also known for the post-war baby boom and overall economic instability. The ’60s were a great decade for pop culture, as well.
The period gave us a lot to remember, too, including some forgettable fads and trends. From unsafe children’s toys and weird fashion choices to unhealthy meal options and questionable advice, the ’60s habits we have on this list should remain where they belong: In the past.
Babies wrapped in cellophane
When it comes to child care, the modern world has done an incredible job of trying to minimize risks. We also exercise an extra layer of precaution. You might have heard of babies getting wrapped in cotton wool.
But there was another material, in particular, that was famously used by parents in the ’60s. This was cellophane. Yes, wrapping infants in a plastic coating was normal back in the day, even though it’s an obvious suffocation risk.
The Du Pont company would heavily advertise its cellophane with babies enveloped in their products.
Jell-O salad
If you ever find yourself watching an old ’60s show, you might notice that Jell-O was a big deal during the decade. People used to crave gelatin-based dishes all the time. One of the era’s most famous dishes was Jell-O salad. It was a popular summer’s day treat at the time.
While it isn’t necessarily a salad on paper, it was still considered a healthier option. Every potluck used to have Jell-O salad. It’s a far departure from the fresh lettuce leaves, ripened tomatoes, and radish on the side we all know and love.
Bubble helmets
Unsurprisingly, the decade also came with some questionable fashion choices. One of which was the bubble helmets. One of its most famous versions was the wacky creation brought to us by Braniff International Airways and designer Emilio Pucci.
These bubble bonnets were mostly advertised for air stewardesses at the time. These glass helmets supposedly protected their hair from the windswept runways. The stewardesses weren’t exactly on board with them though.
Some of them claimed that they couldn’t hear a thing when they put the glass bonnets on.
Lead paint for the home
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that around 87% of homes built before 1940 contain lead-based paint. These numbers slowly declined in the ’60s and ’70s. Nevertheless, lead paint was fairly common in home improvement projects. People didn’t always realize how toxic it was.
In fact, lead paint was only outlawed in the United States in 1978. Lead can easily be absorbed through the lungs, which means that it can enter the bloodstream. All this for revamping your home? Only in the ’60s.