16 School Supplies Every 1960s Student Carried That Kids Today Never Use

The 1960s student’s kit was a reflection of the classroom culture of the 1960s. The metal lunch box, fountain pen, slide rule, dictionary, and book covers, to name a few, were an integral part of the 1960s classroom, long before the advent of technology and computer software revolutionized the way things are done today. The tools of the 1960s kept handwriting neat, measurements accurate, study schedules organized, and problems well-solved on one’s own. They promoted responsible use, such as sharpening pencils at a steady pace and using ink erasers to erase errors. As technology advanced to electronic calculators, computers, and computer-based learning, these items became history.

1. Metal Lunch Boxes with Thermos Bottles

Millions of students in the 1960s toted their metal lunchboxes as they marched towards their school, a sturdy little chest of daily adventures. This lunchbox was lavishly decorated with their favorite characters from TV, comics, and movies, with Batman, the Beatles, Lost in Space, and the Flintstones among the top favorites. Inside the lunchbox, a small glass thermos was fixed with a metallic bracket. Every morning, parents packed their kids’ lunch, which consisted of sandwiches, fruits, and homemade goodies. In the thermos, soup, milk, or hot chocolate was usually packed, depending on the season. And as the lunch bell rang, the unmistakable sound of metallic clasps opening echoed in all the cafeterias in the USA.

2. Wooden Pencil Cases with Sliding Lids

Students in the 1960s used wooden pencil cases with a sliding lid that opened smoothly and quietly. The pencil case was a wooden box used to hold pencils, an eraser, and some other small stationery items. The wooden pencil case had a natural grain and a varnish, giving it a tactile feel. Inside the pencil case, students had sharpened pencils, a ruler, and a small compass for geometry. The sliding lid made a small scraping sound as it opened. The students organized their stationery in such a way that the lid closed flat, fitting the pencil case into the space inside the desk. The wooden pencil case was an effective tool for students before the advent of plastic pencil cases, as it helped everyone remain organized and within reach.

3. Ink Erasers for Fountain Pens

Way back when ballpoint pens had not yet become the dominant writing instrument, students used fountain pens to do their writing. Fountain pens use liquid ink, and thus, ordinary erasers cannot erase ink marks. So, students used ink erasers specifically designed to remove ink marks. These ink erasers tended to have a sandy texture. They worked by scratching off the surface of the paper. When a student made a mistake in writing, they had to carefully rub the eraser over the word to erase the ink. It was not easy, as one had to have a lot of patience to avoid tearing the paper. The ink eraser was a necessary tool in the school days of the 1960s.

4. Chalkboard Erasers Students Carried for Classroom Duty

In many schools in the 1960s, the front walls of classrooms had chalkboards, and the teacher used the space to fill with information, scribbling it out in white chalk. The students pitched in to help keep the chalkboard clean. Some students carried their own small chalkboard eraser as part of their weekly duties. The small erasers were wooden blocks with a thick felt pad on the bottom, used to clean the chalk off the board. After a series of lessons or at a break, a student would stand up and clean the chalk off the board, sending white powder into the air. Cleaning the erasers was a small ritual: out into the fresh air they went, clapping the erasers together to shake loose the chalk dust, sending it into the air.

5. Loose Leaf Notebook Paper Stored in Binder Clips

Loose leaf stacks of paper were common instead of notebooks in the 1960s, and the sheets had blue ruling with a red line running down the left-hand edge. The sheets were not kept together with ring binders but with metal binder clips or folders instead. The sheets were easy to pull out once an assignment was completed or handed in. The loose leaves were passed around the room in group work and peer review sessions, sliding from desk to desk. Keeping track of the loose leaves was a precise process; however, there was no closure to keep the loose leaves together. The loose leaves would spill over desks and backpacks unless handled with care.

6. Mechanical Pencil Sharpeners Mounted on Classroom Desks

In the 1960s, pencils were the first choice for all schoolwork. Most school kids carried dull pencils that needed sharpening a few times a day. Instead of small personal sharpeners, many classrooms had large mechanical sharpeners bolted to the desks or walls. Students took their pencils to the machine, gripped the metal crank, and turned it around while watching the blade spin inside. A gritty grinding noise filled the classroom as the shavings fell into a small container at the base of the device. Sharpening a pencil was a regular ritual of the day. You had to wait your turn and listen to the next kid in line while someone else was still sharpening their pencil.

7. Fountain Pens with Refillable Ink Cartridges

In the 1960s, writing practice meant writing with a fountain pen instead of a ballpoint pen. A fountain pen had ink that flowed through a metal nib onto the paper. Students carried spare cartridges or ink bottles in their bags, in case they needed to refill their pens at school. When the ink was used up, a new cartridge or bottle was attached to the pen. It was a test of patience and a steady hand not to splash the ink onto the desk, books, or clothes. Fingerprints made by spilled blue ink and smudges made by spilled ink were as common as pencil marks in school. It was hoped that the use of fountain pens would make students slower and more careful in their writing. Ink flowed smoothly from the nib of the pen.

8. Slide Rules for Advanced Mathematics Classes

For instance, during the 1960s, slide rules were popular among students in advanced math and science. They were long instruments that enabled students to carry out various mathematical operations, including division and multiplication, without the aid of electronic devices. Slide rules had a sliding central strip with printed numerical scales. When the scales were correctly aligned, students could determine the solutions to complex equations. To use the slide rule, one had to have patience, concentration, and some basic knowledge of logarithms. Slide rules were popular in most mathematics and science classrooms in various high schools. They were used to perform various operations, including algebra, physics, and trigonometry.

9. Composition Books with Sewn Binding

Composition books were a trusted standard in 1960s classrooms. The cover had a black-and-white marble effect, and inside were dozens of pages with straight lines. These pages were not bound in a spiral but sewn along the spine, providing robustness that could withstand months of daily use. Students recorded their classes, vocabulary, spelling practice, and homework in these pages. The fact that these pages were not removable made it imperative for students to plan and write legibly, as mistakes were difficult to erase. The composition books were regularly checked by teachers to measure students’ knowledge and homework completion.

10. Pocket Dictionary for Spelling and Vocabulary

For instance, in the 1960s, students used to carry a small dictionary in their bags or put one on the desk. These compact books contained thousands of words, arranged in small columns and printed on paper that was so thin you could almost hear it sighing when you turned the pages. Teachers would tell students to look up the spelling and definition of words in their own books, even before the advent of search engines and Google. While doing their writing, a notebook would wait patiently while someone went through the dictionary to look up a word, flipping the pages in alphabetical order. The pages would whisper softly. Words like “responsibility” or “achievement” might need several attempts before the correct spelling clicks into place.

11. Paper Book Covers Made from Grocery Bags

In the 1960s, students used to cover their books with their own paper covers. Most of the paper used came from plain brown grocery bags people took home from the grocery store. When the paper was folded over the books, it was a snug fit. Most teachers made their students use the paper at the beginning of the school year to prevent school property from deteriorating. Once the books had their new paper cover, some students used the brown space to become their own canvas. Some students drew, doodled, or even wrote their class schedules on the brown paper. The paper cover was not just for show, though. It protected the books from the wear and tear that came from school days.

12. Handheld Map Atlases for Geography Class

Geography class in the 1960s meant lugging around a teeny atlas that was full of maps. They were colorful, full of countries, rivers, mountains, and oceans. They came in handy when discussing world regions, trade routes, and historical events. Our teacher would ask us to find specific places by scanning the maps to read the labels. Sometimes, we’d use our fingers to do that. At the back of the atlas, there was an index. It was like a keystone to find a specific page number. It was a way to visualize the world in places that were far removed from us. In class discussions, we’d turn to the right page and follow the teacher’s instructions to trace places with our fingertips.

13. Protractors for Geometry Class

Going back to the 1960s, geometry students usually carried with them clear plastic or metal protractors as part of their school supplies. A protractor is a semicircle that can measure angles between 0 and 180 degrees. Teachers usually ask students to bring this tool when they are about to discuss basic concepts such as triangles, polygons, and lines that intersect. When solving problems, students would place the straight edge of the protractor along the line, and they would make sure that the center of the protractor touches the vertex of the angle they are working with. Protractors are very useful, especially when the teacher requires the students to make accurate drawings and precise measurements.

14. Compass Drawing Sets in Small Metal Cases

In the 1960s, students often carried a drawing compass in a small metal case. This device enabled students to draw accurate circles and arcs during math class or a drafting class. The compass had two hinged legs connected by a screw at the top. One end had a sharp metal point that remained stationary on the paper, and the other end had a pencil that rotated in a circle around the fixed point. A teacher could demonstrate how moving the space between the legs altered the size of the circle. This compass was very important for doing geometry problems, where students would practice drawing circles, arcs, and even perpendicular bisectors.

15. Flashcards for Memorizing Facts

Flashcards were one of the most popular study materials that students used back in the 1960s. Flashcards are rectangular cards used for spelling, math, and vocabulary. Typically, one side of the flashcard would have the problem, word, or question, and the other side would have the corresponding answer or definition. Students would review flashcards repeatedly as they prepared for exams or worked on their homework. Teachers would also encourage students to carry their flashcards with them so that they can review them between classes. Flashcards are very effective study materials, especially with their simple design.

16. Handwritten Assignment Pads for Homework Tracking

In the 1960s, kids used small assignment pads to organize their assignments. These were small notebooks that had plain pages and hard cardboard covers. The teacher would remind students to write each assignment clearly before leaving the classroom. The assignments were usually listed, such as mathematics, spelling, science, and history, along with the pages to be done. This helped students remain aware of their assignments once they arrived home after school. The assignment pad was an uncomplicated organizational tool, especially for an era without digital reminders. Every night, students would look at the assignments while doing their homework at the kitchen table or desk.

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