15 Things Boomers Had in Their Homes That Gen Z Has Never Seen
Boomers grew up with household items that are now considered vintage or outdated, leaving Gen Z puzzled by their use and function.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 6 min read
Many items in Boomer households were staples of daily life, but for Gen Z, they can feel like relics from a forgotten time. These once-ubiquitous objects have been replaced by modern technology or simply faded from popular culture. Some of these items are nostalgic for Boomers, but Gen Z might be seeing them for the first time or not at all.
1. Rotary Phones
Hari mei harso on Wikimedia Commons
Rotary phones were once the go-to for making calls, requiring you to spin the dial to each number. There was no “send” button—just spin and wait for it to return to the starting point. Gen Z, raised with smartphones, is baffled by the slow, mechanical process of dialing. The tactile feel of turning the dial is a memory for Boomers, but for younger generations, it’s a puzzle.
2. VHS Tapes
Jacek Halicki on Wikimedia Commons
Before streaming and DVDs, people watched movies at home on VHS tapes. You had to rewind them before returning them to the video store (remember Blockbuster?). Now, Gen Z is accustomed to instant streaming, so the concept of waiting for a tape to rewind and dealing with tapes that could get stuck or damaged seems outdated.
3. Typewriters
Sammlung der Medien und Wissenschaft on Wikimedia Commons
Before computers and laptops, typewriters were the tool of choice for writing documents. The satisfying “click-clack” sound of the keys was common in homes and offices. Gen Z, accustomed to spell check and the ability to erase mistakes instantly, may have never even seen a typewriter in action. With the rise of word processors and smartphones, typewriters have almost completely disappeared.
4. Landline Phones
Chipermc on Wikimedia Commons
Landline phones were a permanent fixture in most homes, with a bulky handset and a thick cord that often tangled. People had to be physically near the phone to answer it, and there were no voicemail or caller ID features—if you missed a call, tough luck. For Gen Z, this seems incredibly old-fashioned with the convenience of mobile phones. Having a phone tethered to the wall feels like a relic of a pre-mobile age.
5. Betamax Tapes
Colin99 on Wikimedia Commons
Betamax was an early video cassette format that was actually superior to VHS in terms of picture quality but failed to win the market war. These tapes, once a high-tech way to record and watch movies, are practically extinct today. While VHS won the battle for the home video market, Betamax tapes are almost completely forgotten. Gen Z has likely never heard of them, let alone used one.
6. Polaroid Cameras
Jacek Halicki on Wikimedia Commons
Polaroid cameras were iconic for instantly printing out photos right after taking them. These cameras were a fun way to capture memories and share photos in the moment. While Gen Z might know of them as retro, they’re more likely to snap digital photos and instantly upload them to social media. The thrill of waiting for a Polaroid picture to develop in your hand seems like a far-off experience.
7. Paper Maps
Maël BALLAND on Wikimedia Commons
Before GPS and smartphones, paper maps were essential for navigating road trips and finding your way around. Drivers would unfold giant sheets of paper to plan their route, and getting lost was a real possibility without these guides. For Gen Z, having instant access to turn-by-turn directions through their phone makes paper maps seem unnecessary. But for Boomers, they were the ultimate navigation tool.
8. Walkman (Portable CD Player)
Dillan Payne on Wikimedia Commons
The Walkman allowed people to listen to music on the go, using cassette tapes and CDs. Carrying around a device with your favorite tunes was revolutionary then, but now, Gen Z has Spotify, Apple Music, and a million songs in their pocket. The Walkman’s bulky size and limited song selection might be hard for Gen Z to understand in today’s streaming world.
9. Vinyl Records
Franz van Duns on Wikimedia
While vinyl has made a comeback as a trendy retro item, it was once the primary format for music albums. Before streaming services, people would flip through records to find their favorite albums, carefully place the needle on the groove, and sit back to enjoy the music. Today, Gen Z listens to music digitally, often through apps, making vinyl feel like an old-school novelty for a few niche audiophiles.
10. 8-Track Tapes
DiscoA340 on Wikimedia Commons
8-track tapes were another format of the past, offering music playback but with a much shorter shelf life than vinyl or cassette tapes. Their bulky size and limited track capacity made them unpopular, but they were once the music format of choice in the 1960s and 1970s. For Gen Z, the idea of carrying around a giant, awkward 8-track tape for music would be hard to imagine.
11. Gas Ranges with Pilot Lights
K.Venkataramana on Wikimedia Commons
Older gas stoves had a small, constantly lit flame called a pilot light, which would ignite the burners when you turned the knob. If the pilot light went out, you had to manually relight it. For Gen Z, electronic ignition makes modern stoves much safer and more convenient. The idea of needing a small flame to turn on a burner might seem strange to younger generations.
12. Waterbeds
Robert Paprstein on Wikimedia Commons
Waterbeds were a popular trend in the 1970s and 1980s, offering a unique sleeping experience with water-filled mattresses. They were bulky and heavy and required special frames to keep them from bursting. Gen Z might find the idea of sleeping on a wobbly surface amusing, as they have access to modern memory foam and innerspring mattresses for comfort.
13. Tupperware (The Old-School Plastic Kind)
Mark Larson on Wikimedia Commons
Tupperware was the go-to storage container for leftovers, and its distinct plastic design and snap-on lids were a staple in kitchens. Before the rise of modern glass and eco-friendly options, these plastic containers were everywhere. For Gen Z, these containers may seem outdated as more sustainable and stylish alternatives dominate the market today.
14. Lava Lamps
Dean Hochman on Wikimedia Commons
Lava lamps were a groovy decoration for homes in the 60s and 70s, with their colorful wax blobs floating up and down in the heated liquid. They were a symbol of cool, counter-culture living, and today, they’re often seen as kitschy or retro. For Gen Z, these colorful lamps may seem like odd curiosities rather than desirable decor.
15. Corded Vacuum Cleaners
Alf van Beem on Wikimedia Commons
Corded vacuums were the standard for home cleaning, requiring you to plug them in and manually drag the cord around the house. Gen Z is more likely to use cordless models or robot vacuums that can clean on their own. The idea of dealing with a long, cumbersome cord seems like a hassle in today’s world of more convenient cleaning solutions.