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.
Exploding children
Dubbed as one of "the ten most dangerous toys of all time" by Radar Magazine, the Gilbert chemistry set contained volatile and potentially explosive chemicals, including ammonium nitrate. But for some reason, these chemistry sets were all the rage back in the '60s. Yes, even though children could've blown themselves up because of them. Parents would buy these toys in hopes of raising future scientists, we reckon. There are much safer ways for kids to learn about science, okay?
Lethal razor blades
We often take for granted the wide range of high-tech razors we have. Today, you can be as picky as you please, with all the blades to choose from. For shavers back in the '60s, they didn't have the same options as we do. At the time, blades were lethally sharp. The '60s saw the rise of the use of stainless steel blades, which reduced the cost of safety-razor shaving. It wasn't far-fetched to say that you had a pretty good chance of getting some nasty facial lacerations with these things.
Cops in drag
Cops in drag weren't all that surprising in the '60s. It was never widespread, but it did certainly make its way into popular culture during the era. This was sparked by a 1962 New York City incident involving some local police officers. The police in the city wore women's clothing for "Operation Decoy," which was an undercover exercise. At night, cops posed as women in the streets to try to catch thieves in the area. Criminals must have had the surprise of their lives.
Presidential pet care
From 1963 to 1969, the Whitehouse was home to two lovable beagles. During his presidency, President Lyndon B. Johnson's beagles got the best of the best. They even caused quite the stir in the press. Johnson had once demonstrated how he could lift his dear pets by their ears. He claimed that this was a habit that was beneficial to his dogs. Nobody exactly knows how or why. But judging from the animals' yelps, they must have disagreed with the president.
Baby burps predicting the future
People in the '60s determined their children's futures not by faith or psychics, but by the power of their burps. In 1964, a man named Dr. Milton Berger told an international gathering of psychiatrists in London that babies' burps could predict their future. According to the doctor, it was all about the strength of the belches. The bigger the burp, the more likely the infant would become a good leader someday. This theory has ultimately been disproven. Nevertheless, keep those babies belching!
Powdered orange juice
Our orange juice didn't always come to us this fresh. These days, getting some fresh orange juice from the fridge is almost second nature. You can also get a carton or a bottle from your local store. This wasn't always the case though. Back in the '60s, the juice was usually powdered and came in a jar. Add some water and you have yourself a '60s orangey drink. Powdered orange juice was popularized by astronauts at the time, as well.
Patriotic panty girdles
The panty girdle isn't as popular as it was in the '60s. At the time, a more compact panty girdle was designed to keep up with the shorter skirt trend of the era. Of course, even with their popularity, panty girdles were somewhat viewed with horror. The ones that were in a Stars-and-Stripes design were especially criticized, most notably by the Daughters of the American Revolution. This group was outraged by it, which eventually led to manufacturers withdrawing the product.
Ice cream on Cream of Wheat
To this day, Cream of Wheat remains a favorite in American households. It's one of those timeless breakfast staples. Porridge-like Cream of Wheat is a type of farina that's made from cracked wheat. It is one of the healthier ways to start your day. Folks in the '60s, on the other hand, added a scoop of ice cream to the meal. Part of the reason why Americans did this was that they wanted to make sure they were getting enough sugar in their days.
Smoking on airplanes
We dare you to casually light up a cigarette on your next flight. Of course, most people know that doing this is just crazy, ignorant, and illegal. Meanwhile, those who lived in the '60s didn't even think twice to do so. It was pretty normal to smoke in an airplane. But by the mid-'90s, most countries had already banned smoking in the air. Some of the only holdouts were Cuba and China, stubbing cigarettes out in 2014 and 2017, respectively.
Communist sandals
If you lived through the '60s, you probably recognize these sandals. This was more of a byproduct of clever marketing than actual Communist ideological leanings. New Jersey company Habrand advertised these leather sandals amidst the ongoing Vietnam War. Habrand stated that one design was genuine Viet Cong footwear that was captured from the enemy. This led to sales soaring. However, the company still had to admit that it had been selling the sandals even before the war and their subsequent rebrand.
The paper dress
This is another one of those regrettable fashion trends that popped up in the '60s. While they did look cool in photos, these dresses were a nightmare to wear elsewhere. The paper dress was first introduced by the Scott Paper Company in 1966. Yes, this is the same brand that gave us bathroom tissues. A little rain could ruin the dress in an instant. Not to mention, it was flimsy. Just two years later, the whole paper dress would pass.
Having a fallout shelter
At the height of the Cold War, United States citizens feared for the worst. In the '60s, the threat of nuclear armageddon was too real to ignore. The U.S. and the Soviet Union were both armed with powerful nuclear missiles. Both were also waiting to strike. In response to this, many Americans built their fallout shelters. Most people anticipated a Russian strike coming, as well. Thankfully, this never materialized. One can only imagine the destruction of a nuclear war.
Smoking advertisements on television
The last commercial for cigarettes was aired during a broadcast of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson just before midnight on January 1st, 1971. In the earlier part of the 20th century, almost everyone smoked. Smoking was also heavily promoted on television. It was legal practically everywhere, as well. Public perception of smoking slowly changed during the '60s, as the connection between smoking and deadly diseases became much more apparent. In 1970, President Nixon signed the legislation that officially banned cigarette ads on television and radio.
'The Twist'
Swivel your hips and do the Twist! Inspired mostly by '50s rock and roll music, Chubby Checker’s The Twist was the pop song that started the whole dance craze. The dance became extremely popular after Checker danced the Twist while singing the song on the Dick Clark Show in 1960. Soon after, the dance became a worldwide phenomenon. The Twist was seen as a new form of dancing. It also helped solidify Philadelphia's role as a trendsetter in pop music.
Tie-dye everything
When we think of tie-dye, we automatically envision the spiral, mandala, and peace sign, as well as some bright bold colors. It is one of the more identifiable pieces of clothing from the hippie movement. This creation is yet another product of the psychedelic imaginings of '60s hippies. They gave everything the tie-dye treatment, from shirts to gowns and jeans to anything else that could be worn. Tie-dyeing was not only seen as a cost-effective measure, but an easy way to give clothes a fresh, new look.
Lava lamps
Compared to some of the other lamps of its time, lava lamps were never made to cast light. Their purpose was more for creating a certain mood. It ultimately became a symbol of the space age and psychedelia fads of the period. The man credited with its creation is Edward Craven Walker. Meanwhile, Hy Spector and Adolph Wertheimer are the ones who brought the lamp to the American public. They soon founded the Lava Manufacturing Corporation, one of the original lava lamp manufacturers.
Hitching rides
Hitchhiking used to be romanticized in American pop culture. It was a free-spirited way to travel and get around. As with many of the trends on this list, hitchhiking became rarer over time. This is partly because more and more tragic hitchhiking stories have popped up. A lot of us are much more aware of the dangers of thumbing a ride. Now we understand that there are a lot of people out there with bad intentions. Car ownership has significantly increased over time, as well.
Golden tans
When you look at old photos of people in the '60s, you might notice that there are a lot of people who got their tans on. The decade was a time of sun worship. There were even lotions that were made to enhance tanning. The effects of U.V. radiation weren't talked about a lot back then, as well. Now, we know how dangerous U.V. rays can be, and that too much sunning can lead to different diseases of the skin.
Pedal bikes
You may have seen these bikes in old films and television shows. While most of us today can identify motorcycles from pushbikes, someone in the '60s decided that bicycles should look like chopper motorbikes. These pedal bikes were never going to win anybody the Tour de France or any local race, but they sure were stylish. With their banana seats and ape-hanger handlebars, the bikes were every little kid's dream. These bikes are widely associated with 1960s suburban America.
Bell-bottom pants
The swinging '60s were all about flair. So it comes as no surprise that bell-bottoms were a must-have at the time. The only rule for bell-bottoms was that the wider they were, the cooler you got. These pants were said to be influenced by the baggy pants worn by the U.S. Navy. One of its main drawbacks is that these jeans would become unwearable when it rained. Of course, nobody wants to have a few square feet of fabric flapping around their ankles.
Attending 'Charm School'
No matter what era, good manners will always be important. In the '60s, people took this to an entirely new level. The desire for proper etiquette became an unhealthy obsession for many parents. Women, at the time, were even forced to go to "manners school." A leading specialist in this area was the Sears Discovery Charm School. The institution would teach girls things like proper grooming, manners, speech, and makeup. No, the school didn't offer subjects like math, engineering, or physics.
Workplace sexism
The '60s were not a great time for women in the workforce. They had to endure open sexism during the period. One of the most infamous cases of blatant sexism was the International Paper mill incident in Gardiner, Oregon. A female worker was suspended for wearing tight pants by managers who claimed that she was "distracting male staff." Surprisingly, the male union members staged a walk-out protest against the suspension and in support of the woman. She soon returned to work with a less form-fitting attire.
Women's hand etiquette
Believe it or not, women were also taught about proper hand and arm etiquette during the '60s. According to an old leaflet titled Lady Lessons – Hand Don’ts, women were supposed to mind their hands and arms at all times. They were asked to avoid having their hands "hang like dead fish.” There was no room for fidgeting either. Worst of all, women's hands never "interlocked at the waistline." The rationale for this was that this gesture would add "weight to the figure."
Volkswagen stuffing
In 1959, a group of bored students returned from summer vacation. This was when they took the sport of phone booth stuffing to a whole new level. They introduced Volkswagen stuffing to the world. It was always a peculiar pursuit, but it did provide for some entertainment. The record number of people who fit into one of these cars is 20. If you think you have a chance of surpassing that, then call a couple of your buddies and try beating the record yourselves.
Go-go boots
Before the introduction of go-go boots, women's shoes were only made for riding, walking, and protection. That all changed thanks to Nancy Sinatra. We should rightfully credit Sinatra for making go-go boots famous. She wore a pair for her hit song These Boots Were Made for Walkin’. This ultimately led to more women purchasing the boots. Go-go boots are characterized by their low heels and mid-calf length. The most popular version of these boots were the classic white ones. By the end of the '60s, go-go boots went out of style.
Periwinkle experimentation
Needless to say, experimentation with illegal substances was fairly common in the '60s. Today, some of those substances have even been legalized in different states. The youth of yesteryears tried many things, including periwinkle leaves. Apparently, chasing periwinkle highs was a thing back then. In one instance, a juvenile court in Florida in 1967 heard how a group of teenagers smoked periwinkle. This eventually led to a nationwide periwinkle scare, prompting authorities to issue warnings about the dangers of periwinkle.
Grandma glasses
People from the '60s sported glasses with rectangular lenses and thin frames or half-frames. No, they were not all sweet, old grandmas. Granny glasses became widely available in stores during the decade. The most popular version of these was the wire-rimmed ones. They came in different shapes and sizes, as well. Even John Lennon had a pair of them! Granny glasses have made a comeback in recent years thanks to the hipster subculture. Try them yourself if you think you can rock them.
The What Shall I Be? board game
"What shall I be? The Exciting Game of Career Girls." This is how this sexist board game was advertised. Suffice to say, the game is a head-scratcher. The jobs proposed were pretty predictable. Women, at the time, were often encouraged to be actresses, models, or secretaries. Of course, the era wasn't particularly kind to women who wanted to climb the career ladder. The game emphasized this, too. It boasted messages like “Your make-up is too sloppy" and “You are a slow thinker.” Yikes.
Coffee for babies
Most of us start off our days with a good, old-fashioned cup of coffee. It is something that people have done for decades. In the '60s, even infants were advised to drink coffee. While this may be horrifying to think about today, back then, coffee was recommended by many medical professionals. One of them was Dr. Walter Sackett, who claimed that children should start drinking black coffee when they become six months old. He is also the doctor who believed that babies should eat bacon and eggs at just six weeks.
Rickie Tickie Stickies
Rickie Tickie Stickies were often seen on hippie vans and young girls' bedrooms back in the 1960s. It was one of the defining crazes of the era. They were these reusable stickers in brightly colored flower shapes. People planted them on clothes, bags, cars, and more. The man responsible for these stickers was ad man Don Kracke, who got the idea in 1967. The stickers quickly took off. By 1968, about 90 million of these plastic flower decals had been sold.
Poisonous antiseptic
During the decade, Mercurochrome was once a popular over-the-counter medicinal product that was used as an antiseptic. It was usually applied to cuts, scrapes, and the like despite the solution containing mercury. This is why it would stain the skin red, which made it difficult to detect infection or inflammation. The solution could also harm fetuses in pregnant women. Nowadays, Mercurochrome is no longer available at any United States drugstore. It's a good thing that we've come to our senses.
Slot cars
Watching a little electric-powered car race around a track may sound boring, but it certainly wasn't for '60s kids. The era was hit with the slot car craze early on. Children of the '60s will recall the Aurora Thunderjet 500, which was the best-selling slot car of the decade. Tens of millions of Aurora Thunderjets were scattered all around the nation. It wasn't just kids who were playing with them. Many American hobbyists took an interest in slot cars, too.
Ironing hair
By now, the world has gone through hundreds of Hairdo trends. Hairstyles just naturally come and go. In the '60s, women's hairstyles almost always sported a perfectly straight mane. Do you know how they did this? They achieved this flat look by using a clothes iron. You just had to lie your locks on a board and a friend would run over them for you. Of course, if you had curly hair, using an iron might not be the best option.
Sea-Monkeys
Initially, Sea-Monkeys were called "Instant Life." But its name was soon changed to match their salt-water habitat. It was also the perfect name because of the resemblance of the animals' tails to actual monkeys. In case you didn't know, Sea-Monkeys were a type of shrimp sold in the form of eggs. They became popular with children in the '60s and '70s, thanks to some smart comic book marketing. These things also caught the attention of NASA’s John Glenn, who took some into space with him.
The Super Ball
Invented in 1964 by chemist Norman Stingley, the Super Ball was a toy that was as good as advertised. These rubber balls were extremely elastic. When thrown down onto a hard surface, the balls could even fly over a three-story building! Yes, it is that bouncy. These rubber balls can withstand incredibly high pressure. During its peak production years, more than 170,000 Super Balls were manufactured per day. By December 1965, there were about six million balls that were sold.
Troll dolls
Today, trolls are widely known as the people who deliberately provoke others on social media. We oftentimes forget that, originally, trolls came from Scandinavian mythology. The first person to have ever crafted a troll doll from wood was a Danish fisherman in 1959. He made the doll as a present for his daughter on Christmas. It eventually made its way to the United States. In the '60s, troll dolls were known by many names, including Dam dolls, Gonks, Wishniks, Treasure Trolls, and Norfins.
Love beads
Love beads were worn by many of our beloved hippies back in the swinging '60s. It was one of their traditional accessories. They were usually given away to someone you "connected" with. These beads were also meant to signify peace and love. Love beads came in a wide range of colors and were often hand-strung, too. The love bead trend emerged during a time of fascination with non-Western cultures. Places like Africa, India, and Native America use similar beads, as well.
The jellygrill sandwich
The classic jellygrill sandwich first emerged in the '60s. Even when it was invented, it was met with criticism. People were quick to point out that the sandwich just ruined a perfectly good grilled cheese. Nevertheless, it became a fad during the decade. The combination of grape jelly and cheese was a hit with a small number of people. But that didn't stop the sandwich from becoming popular nationwide. Even though it was never going to replace the grilled cheese, the jellygrill definitely got people talking.
Bouffant hairstyle
The bouffant hairstyle is characterized by hair raised high on the head. Your locks would be brushed into a dome-like shape. While it doesn't sound particularly cool on paper, it nevertheless is one of the most famous hairdos ever. Its origins date back to the 18th century. Marie Antoinette was said to have had this hairdo because she wanted to make her hair look thicker. The style became popular in the U.S. in the '60s. Jackie Kennedy used to have the same hairstyle, too.
The 'babydoll' look
The "babydoll" look didn't just come because of the babydoll dress. It was a legitimate subculture that encompassed hair, clothing, and makeup. For reasons unknown, the '60s were a time for grown women to dress like children. Most men didn't consider the style inappropriate, as well. It was even something that they wanted for their wives. For women, it was a style that represented youthful rebellion and the counterculture that was prevalent during the decade. It was meant to empower, too.
Boozy mealtimes
It's no secret either that, in the '60s, breakfast, lunch, and dinner each had their fair share of alcoholic beverages. In 1962, Sex and the Single Girl was published. The book promoted promiscuity and advocated for the egg, steak, and wine diet. Yes, there is an actual diet that consists of these three things. For breakfast and lunch, you're allowed an egg and some white wine. Meanwhile, for dinner, steak and wine are recommended. Why don't we start dieting now?
Spam Fiesta Peach Cups
It may be unthinkable now but Spam Fiesta Peach Cups was a genuine meal from the 1960s. At the time, Hormel dubiously claimed that this dish would “bring California sunshine to winter’s meals." So much for that. Nevertheless, these peach cups were a fixture in parties and other events. Spam even revealed the recipe of the questionable concoction during its 80th anniversary in 2017. The guidelines suggested mixing mustard, oats, and catsup. Of course, don't forget your peaches! Give it a shot. You might just end up liking it.
Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
We are not kidding you here. Ice Cream for Breakfast Day was a real thing in the '60s. It was quite the hit with kids, too! The event was originally conceptualized by a New York woman named Florence Rappaport. It was a means of entertaining her bored children whenever they had been snowed in. Eventually, it became an annual celebration that was held on the first Saturday in February. Needless to say, there weren't many healthy options in the '60s.
Having light-up tires
You may be cool, but you will never be "illuminated tires" kind of cool. Goodyear first released its bold translucent tires in the '60s. Not only were the wheels lit up, but the tires also came in a wide range of colors. These things illuminated like a lamp and were easy to spot on the road. This quote from a 1962 interview with a Goodyear executive definitely says a lot. It reads: “Goodyear’s translucent tire can be produced in any color to match the car... or perhaps the wife’s new outfit.”
Not indulging babies
Let us start off by saying that babies, under any circumstances, are not supposed to be left alone. For this habit, we're going to look back at Dr. Walter Sackett's 1962 Bringing Up Babies book. In it, Sackett advised mothers to not be too indulgent with their babies. Night-time feeds were not recommended, as well, even if your child is crying. The medical professional even claimed that giving a baby what it wanted would turn them into a socialist. Needless to say, these were crazy.