The 1980s was a unique time of great cultural change and some special hairdos (There was no shortage of hairspray). For people who grew up in this era, life hit a little differently, and, if you weren’t there, well, you might not get it. So, let’s take a look at the 80s and some things that happened that may have folks born later utterly confused.
1. Fear of Nuclear War
Thanks to the Cold War between Russia and the United States, the fear of nuclear annihilation was a haunting specter over the 1980s. Movies from the time played off this fear like “War Games” and “The Day After,” making the threat of nuclear fallout a common discussion topic at dinner tables across America. Schools ran drills to protect from nuclear disasters and families built shelters underground. It was a little grim but, hey, we coped.
2. The Bizarre Popularity of Garbage Pail Kids
Before the PC brainwashing that permeated widespread culture, Garbage Pail Kids ruled the day. If you are not familiar, these trading cards depicted Cabbage Patch mutants that appalled parents with disgusting displays of decay and filth. Despite being totally offensive, kids in the 1980s loved them and held them in a special place in their hearts. The trading cards represented a form of rebellion and dark humor that resonated with the youth of the 80s.
3. Cabbage Patch Pandemonium
Before there was Black Friday, there existed something even more panic-inducing: Cabbage Patch Kids. Yes, these dolls with cherub faces and adoption papers caused outright riots. Limited stock and rising prices made the toys a coveted item across suburban America. The phenomenon was so wild that it made national news and left many wondering about the state of humanity.
4. New Coke
In 1985, Coca-Cola decided to change their recipe, a recipe that was a century old mind you. This was the birth of New Coke. Well, the backlash was swift and fierce. Grocery store shops hoarded the old recipe and pandemonium ensued. Literally, people protested for a soft drink. After just 79 days, Coca-Cola reintroduced the original formula as “Coca-Cola Classic,” leading to a sales boom. And, all was right with the world, but the aftertaste remained.
5. Jazzercise
When you mix jazz and exercise, you get jazzercise. This sweaty combination of dance moves and legwarmers swept across America’s TVs and gyms. Every able-bodied woman in this country was wearing leotards and leaping enthusiastically to popular music. Now, while it seems cheesy now, and it certainly was, jazzercise did have a good notion: exercise can be cool.
6. The Walkman Revolution
Before your Airpods, there was a chunky yellow predecessor, its name was the Walkman. In the 1980s, the Sony Walkman introduced mobile, personal audio consumption. It was a revolution. Suddenly, you could listen to music anywhere. The personal soundtrack was born, along with the sight of somebody bopping down the street with headphones. Good times.
7. The Magic of Video Rental Stores
Long before Netflix and streaming, there existed the social hub that was the video rental store. Gateways of entertainment and community, Friday nights often involved a ritual of visiting the local Blockbuster or independent video store to peruse shelves of VHS tapes. Yes, you would have to select the box of the movie from the shelf physically. Late fees and the saying “Be kind, rewind” were common sources of irritation, yet the video store era often sets off a longing that can’t be satisfied.
Again, You Had To Be There
The 1980s represent a simpler time, even if those times were a little crazy and confusing. For those who lived through this decade, these experiences shaped their worldview and continue to evoke strong nostalgia. For younger generations, these snapshots provide insight into the cultural forces that influenced their parents and grandparents.