25 Sep 19 Things That Didn’t Exist 30 Years Ago That We Can’t Live Without Today
I recently watched a TV series set in the 1980s – right when computers and the digital revolution began to infiltrate mainstream culture. Exasperated, one of the engineers advised that developing a portable PC under fifteen pounds was impossible. I actually laughed out loud. But hey, look at it this way: flying cars or vacationing on Mars sounds improbable when we think about it now. Sure, it sounds like it’s something straight out of a Sci-Fi novel, but in 30 years, who knows?
It got me thinking…what are we taking for granted that didn’t exist 30 years ago? Smart cars, smartphones, and chatting with Amazon’s Alexa have all nuzzled their way into our everyday lives. But, back in the day, we didn’t have Google to answer literally any question that popped into our head. We had to go to…the library. Gasp. The horror.
Here’s a look at some of the things that didn’t exist thirty years ago that we can’t live without today.
Our Wardrobe
I’m probably going to get some flack for this, but let’s just face the truth: there have been some questionable apparel choices throughout the years. In today’s world, clothing options run the gamut – from graphic tees to bohemian chic. There’s also a societal push for body positivity, confidence, and leveraging clothing as a creative form of self-expression. Oh, and let’s not forget, with the availability of online shopping, snagging a new outfit comes down to a few simple clicks of your mouse.
GPS
What did people do before GPS? Get lost? Seriously, if you can read a map, I applaud you. Browsing a map while driving is as dangerous as texting and driving, so how come these weren’t outlawed? Luckily, we don’t need to worry about circling the same streets for hours and running into local gas stations to ask for directions – that’s what the GPS is for.
While Ray Tomlinson sent the first email in 1971, email as we know it was not accessible until the 1990s and early 2000s. Email is a common daily routine – you’re probably checking your email right now, which is rude…pay attention! Thirty years ago, people were just on the brink of discovering this wild thing called the Internet – something we take for granted every day.
Social Media
Viral memes? The Twittersphere? Social media is a playground of endless entertainment, where we can forge new connections, share interests, laugh, and express ourselves. There was a time when you 10-year class reunion was your first opportunity to see what happened to Karen or if your high school crush, Derek, is still single. But, not anymore. Everyone’s lives are readily available for us to peruse.
YouTube
Speaking of the internet, YouTube is literally an American staple for timewasting, informative content, and in many cases, people’s main source of income. Yet, people didn’t necessarily know what they were doing with YouTube when it first came out – there’s a lot of strange videos from the early years. Back 30 years ago, if you wanted to show someone a video you filmed, you’d have to wait until you were in person to show them. Lame, right?
Streaming Music
You know how you love listening to music wherever you go? Music has become so accessible that you don’t even need a separate device to play some killer tunes. Your phone is everything. Years ago, people were forced to carry around a boombox or portable CD player. And let’s not forget about the massive booklet that held your entire CD collection. Millions of songs are now available at your fingertips through platforms like iTunes and Spotify. For those of you who will never know the struggle and frustration of LimeWire…I envy you.
Streaming TV
Just like YouTube and portable music, streaming TV wasn’t even a thing thirty years ago. If you wanted to watch something, you had to be in front of a TV when it aired. Or record it on a VHS tape, while being on the correct channel. If you wanted to rent a movie, Blockbuster was your go-to. Remember your mom telling you don’t sit too close to the TV screen? Now we hold TV screens in our hands and can watch anything at any time, with Cable almost becoming obsolete.
Gender Reveal Parties
This list isn’t just about the technological advancements we’ve made throughout the years, it also delves into social changes. Years ago, you had the choice to learn your baby’s gender upon birth or at the hands of your doctor. Today, thanks to social media, couples are sending out invitations for gender reveal parties. From slicing off a piece of cake to opening a box of pink or blue balloons, couples now discover the gender of their little bundle of joy among friends and family.
Plus-Sized Stores
While Lane Bryant was established in the 1920s, the brand’s primary focus was not on clothing for women size 14 and up. The options for plus-sized individuals were slim to none. Those who needed plus-sized clothing had to resort to unflattering, boxy styles to compensate for the lack of available options in the market. Now, the options are getting better for plus-sized women and the world is recognizing that plus-sized men also need to be taken into consideration.
Medical Advancements
In the past thirty years, there have been a plethora of medical advancements that have impacted lives for the better. Let’s take Prozac, for example; a prescription that has helped people combat bulimia, depression, and a number of other conditions was not available years ago. And guess what? It’s currently the 29th most prescribed medication in the United States.
Texting
Oh, how we love our texting. Humanity looked at email and declared it unfit to rule as our sole mode of communication. What we needed was something faster, simpler, and more conversational than formal. The first text message was sent in 1992 and needless to say, it is probably the most common means of communication today. Gentlemen, as a quick PSA, women appreciate a good, old-fashioned phone call.
Disposable Contact Lens
Never take your contact lens for granted. Prior to 1987, contact lenses were not disposable. In fact, the first contact lens was made out of brown glass. Ouch. If you have dry eyes or tend to accidentally cake makeup onto your lenses (guilty), every blink feels like you’re scratching your eyeballs. Now imagine contact lenses that were actually manufactured using glass. It’s like my worst nightmare. Be thankful that eye care has come this far!
Lasik Eye Surgery
Speaking of eye care, the first Lasik eye surgery was first performed in 1987. For us visually challenged individuals, glasses were once our only means of properly seeing the world around us. But now, those who are tired of paying for contact lenses or repairs to their glasses can opt to undergo a quick surgery to restore their vision to 20/20. Just like that, you can now roll out of bed in the morning and actually see five feet in front of your own face. With most facilities now offering free consultations and payment plans, it’s getting more and more cost-effective to undergo Lasik surgery.
Diversity in Business
Thirty years ago, businesses operated in the Fred Flintstone era. While an incredible amount of progress still needs to be made, thirty years ago was defined by a completely different culture. Women weren’t in positions of power. Barack Obama as president? Keep dreaming. Do we have a lot more ground to cover? Yes, but at least we’re moving in a positive direction.
Online Banking
Can you imagine not being able to handle your banking needs on a cell phone? Nowadays, walking into an actual bank seems like a foreign concept. We can move around money, transfer funds, and even deposit checks all by the swipe of a finger. But, thirty years ago, you would have to physically visit a bank to complete any monetary-related transactions you needed to get done. Whether you had to apply for a loan or withdraw a couple hundred bucks from your account, you had to go to a bank. Ain’t nobody got time for that now.
Febreze
This revolutionary cleaning product came to be in 1998. This odor eliminator has made cleaning so much simpler. Funky smell in your car? Febreze it. You have one too many cats (no such thing)? Febreze it. For all of life’s unpleasant odors, just a few sprays of Febreze and you’re golden.
Healthier Fast Food Options
While “healthy” and “fast food” are not synonymous with one another, the fast food industry has made a concerted effort to incorporate healthier choices on their menus. Let’s break it down. Chipotle is still fast food. But prior to the introduction of Chipotle and Panera, you had places like McDonald’s, Burger King, and White Castle. Sure, fast food is great when you’re on the run or hungover, but having a burger for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is going to put your health at risk.
Fitbit/Fitness Trackers
Up until recently, how’d you track your steps? What about monitoring your heart rate? Yes, the doctor checked your vitals, but now we have fitness trackers strapped to our wrists that can track our sleep patterns and how physically active we are. We’re trying to make the world a more active place and fitness trackers are an effective vehicle for precipitating change.
Invisible Braces
Just like eye care, dental care has also made huge strides. One of the reasons that kids dreaded hearing their dentists say they needed braces was due to the social ramifications that came along with it. The terms “brace face” and “metal mouth” were not something you wanted to hear at school. For adults, sporting a full mouth of metal was even more embarrassing. With the development of invisible braces, you can get the dental care you deserve without any negative ramifications.
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