The world according to Steve

Random thoughts about how things were when I was growing up.

• Remember when 7-11 was only open from seven till eleven?
• "Copies" in school were memeographs, and came out damp, and always smelled good.
• TV had about 10 channels, counting "UHF", and would sign off about 1:00 am.
• Grocery stores, gas stations and almost everything closed at night.
• Mom had to get car parts for dad because they were only open 8-5.
• Attendants would pump gas and clean the windows, check the oil ... and, you would get a free drinking glass.
• Getting the paddle in school.
• There were only LP (and 45) records, then came 8-track.
• The lady in the bra commercial had to wear the bra over a sweater.
• Early VCRs had to sit on the top of the TV, because they were top-loading.
• And the "remote" was a 12 foot wire that let you stop and start the tape.
• Video rentals made you buy the first movie for about $75, then trade them whenever you wanted.
• We only had one TV, and would have to go check the vacuum tubes at the grocery store when one went out.
• The TV "remote" was telling the kids to change the channel.
• We went out to eat to Burger King about once a month.
• Cigarette lighters were Zippos, not BIC butane.
• You had to wind your watch every day.
• Digital watches and calculators had red LED readouts, calcs had 4 or 5 functions.
• School issued book covers that we had to use, and fold a certain way to apply.
• Tennis balls were white and racquets were wooden.
• People in TV shows would smoke, and come home saying "I need a drink."
• Cracker jack had toys, not just booklets and tattoos, cereal had toys that you had to put together.
• Above ground pools were a luxury.
• Bicycles had one speed. A 3-speed was really cool!
• Grills (BBQ) used charcoal, not gas.
• Payphones had a booth you had to step into and close the door.
• The Malls and some stores in Texas were closed on Sunday.
• Blue jeans only came in blue, and were stiff. No stonewashed or pre-ripped.
• You had to go out for pizza, or make your own, no delivery.
• Pickup trucks only came in "full" size, and most cars had V8 engines.
• Screwdrivers were turned by hand, there were no electric ones, or bits for a drill.
• Telephones had rotary dials, you called 0 (Operator) for help, not 911.
• You bought "tennis shoes", there were no running shoes, cross-trainers, etc.
• Helmets and knee pads were for football players, not bicycle riders.
• Some cars didn’t even have seatbelts.
• Ice cube trays were metal, with a lever you pulled up to break it loose.
• Car radios had manual buttons you had to pull out to "preset" a station... and no tape players.
• Mom would write a note allowing us 12 year olds to buy cigarettes for her.
• Footballs had big white stripes on each end.
• Deodorant was spray-on, and it came out really cold!