The 1970s were a really memorable time. It brought us things like bell-bottom pants, the Disco craze, and lots of products that became famous. Some items, like the Rubik’s Cube and Dungeons & Dragons, turn 50 in 2024. They started out small, maybe in someone’s garage or lab, but now they’re important parts of our daily routines.
Post-It Notes
In 1968, a scientist named Spencer Silver made a sticky substance that was easy to remove without tearing paper. But Silver and his company didn’t know how to use it. Then in 1974, Art Fry had an idea while singing in church. He wanted a way to mark his hymnal without damaging it. Fry and Silver worked together, and they created the Post-It Note that we use today.
The Rubik’s Cube
The Rubik’s Cube is a special product that teaches and entertains people. It was made in 1974 by a man named Ernő Rubik, who loved puzzles. At first, it was called a “Magic Cube” and was supposed to help kids learn about shapes. But Rubik actually made it just to challenge himself because he liked geometry. People who love solving the cube are called “cubers,” and it’s still popular today.
The UPC Bar Code
Inventor Joe Woodland came up with the idea for the barcode while relaxing on the beach. He drew a design in the sand and thought it could change how we shop.
After trying out different versions, the first UPC Bar Code was scanned in 1974 in a small town called Troy, Ohio. They scanned a pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum. Now, barcodes are everywhere in stores, making it easier to keep track of products.
The Silver Robotic Arm
Despite ongoing debates about using robots and developing AI (which means coding and programming that creates systems with human-like thinking), robots are incredibly important in modern society. In 1974, MIT student David Silver invented what’s now called the “Silver Arm.”
This device was made to make small-part assembly easier. It had touch sensors and could give feedback, which was rare for robots at the time. The machine helped start automated production.
Bailey’s Irish Cream
If you’ve ever had a nutty Irishman or another coffee-based cocktail, you’ve probably tasted Bailey’s Irish Cream. It was the first liqueur of its kind, mixing the smoothness of cream with the kick of whiskey. Creamy alcohol wasn’t common back in 1974, when Bailey’s was created.
Skittles
Skittles was first made in the United Kingdom in 1974, but it didn’t come to the United States until 1979. There’s not much clear information about where the candy came from. The Skittles website tells a story about them coming from space, but that’s not true.
Kinder Surprise Eggs
Kinder Surprise is a chocolate candy shaped like an egg with a surprise inside. It first came out in 1974 and is just one of many Kinder chocolate products.
Even though Kinder Surprise seems like a good idea, it has had issues with the U.S. government. In 1997, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned Kinder Surprise in the United States because it was seen as a choking risk. But people still enjoy it in European countries like the United Kingdom.
The Volkswagen Golf
In 1974, Volkswagen introduced its Golf model. Since then, it’s gone through many changes, with seven different versions sold worldwide, totaling over 35 million units. Before the Golf, the Beetle was Volkswagen’s main car, known for being easy to get and cheap. But when the Golf came out, it raised the bar for small cars and showed how innovative Volkswagen could be.
