20 Things People Always Bought at Stores in the 1960s

Shopping in the 1960s, therefore, reflects how life was changing with the influence of new technology, increased consumer culture, and changing lifestyles at home. Shopping products included items that matched these new ways of life, such as new technology in music, including transistor radios, records, Polaroid, and Kodak film. Time-saving products such as instant coffee, Tang, television dinners, and cake mixes helped to ease the chaos of life in suburbia. Shopping products such as lava lamps, Barbie dolls, and books, however, revealed new aspects of culture, including what people enjoyed reading or playing with. Tupperware, spray starch, and electric toothbrushes, therefore, represented significant improvements in home life.

1. Television Antennas

In the early 1960s, the rate of television ownership was rising in North America and Europe. People sought a better reception of the rising number of television channels. Therefore, television antennas, whether rooftop or indoor, became an essential purchase at television and hardware stores. Most television sets came equipped with some type of antenna to receive broadcasts from nearby broadcast towers. Customers would study the sizes and shapes of the antennas, while the shop assistants would discuss the quality of the reception. Those long antennas made of metal with multiple horizontal rods were quite common in suburban areas.

2. Vinyl Records

The music stores were always hopping with activity. People roamed through rows upon rows of vinyl, thumb-roughened sleeves adorned with colorful artwork and pictures of their favorite stars. The long-playing record, or LP, was big business for teens and adults alike. The big stars, such as The Beatles, The Supremes, and Elvis, dominated the sales charts throughout the 1960s. New releases were prominently displayed near the front counter, easy to grab on impulse. There might have been listening stations, too, where you could preview your new purchase. Teens gathered around the listening stations to get a preview of the latest songs that were currently playing on the radio. Once they had their new purchase, it was home at last.

3. Instant Coffee

Instant coffee entered the scene, becoming an integral part of every home in the 1960s, despite the fact that coffee had long been an integral part of daily routines. Companies like Nescafé and Maxwell House introduced instant coffees that came in the form of powders that could be dissolved in hot water in an instant. Shelves in grocery stores were filled with glass containers, symbolizing the number of homes that had chosen the convenience of instant coffee over the traditional method. While the traditional method called for the use of equipment, instant coffee only needed the use of a spoon.

4. Polaroid Instant Film

The camera store of the 1960s would carry packs of Polaroid instant film for those who wanted to take a picture immediately, rather than waiting several days for the results of their photos to be returned to them after development. Polaroid cameras gave you the power to take a picture, seize a moment, and hold it in your hands in minutes, rather than waiting for several days for the results of your photos to be returned to you after development. The concept of Polaroid cameras dazzled consumers, as with regular film, you had to wait several days for your photos to come back to you after development.

5. Tang Powdered Drink Mix

In the 1960s, it was quite common to see bright orange Tang powder jars lining the aisles of local grocery stores. Tang became an overnight sensation by associating itself with the American space program. The first astronauts used Tang because it had a long shelf life and was easy to mix with water. The media coverage of space exploration sparked interest, and soon people began buying Tang as a novelty to support their fascination. Tang was commonly consumed by people as part of their breakfast or as an afternoon snack. It was simply mixed with water and then enjoyed as a sweet, orange-flavored beverage similar to juice, but with a hint of fruit juice.

6. Slide Projectors

In the 1960s, it was common to see these electronic devices placed just alongside cameras and other photographic equipment in electronic stores. These electronic devices gave people the opportunity to share their slides with the entire family by projecting them on the wall or a small screen. People used slide cameras, which had the advantage of producing small, transparent photos in cardboard holders, when they traveled. After the trip, people bought slide projectors to share their travel photos with friends and family during the evenings. People’s homes started to become a place where the entire family would indulge in a slide show as a source of entertainment.

7. Transistor Radios

In the 1960s, electronics stores would sometimes put those small portable transistor radios right at the checkout counters and in glass cases. The small machines were able to provide the ability to listen to music and the latest news almost anywhere. The old radio, before the invention of the transistor, was a big piece of furniture that stayed at home in the living room, and the way people used the radio stayed at home, too. But the transistor radio changed everything. Teenagers wanted their own radio, their own set, so they could listen to the latest rock and pop music everywhere they went throughout the day.

8. Lava Lamps

In the 1960s, lava lamps began appearing in gift and department stores, becoming an instant symbol of the modern look. Inside the lamp, the wax would float in the liquid, and with the light heating the bottom, the blobs of wax would stretch and move in hypnotic motion. People would often stop at the store, mesmerized by the colors inside the glass, as if the colors had a mind of their own. It was the quirky motion that caught the shopper’s attention, giving the lamp an almost alive feel. Young adults would place lava lamps in their bedrooms, dorms, or homes as decorative pieces.

9. Kodak Color Film

Camera stores in the 1960s would sell Kodak color film in rolls to families looking to capture lively and colorful photos. Previous generations had used black and white photographs, but color film was now readily available and affordable. Families would collect the film before going on a trip, a wedding, or a birthday party. Kodak’s iconic yellow packaging was ubiquitous in every photography section of a department store. However, there was some planning involved in using the film, as it had a limited number of exposures. Photographers would think about what they wanted to take a picture of before snapping the photo. Once the film was used, it would be returned to the store.

10. TV Dinners

In the 1960s, the freezers at the local grocery store were lined with aluminum TV dinner trays from Swanson. The meals were designed to have separate compartments for the meat, vegetables, and dessert. The idea had been popularized by Swanson the preceding decade and continued to rise throughout the 1960s as more and more people purchased TV dinners to accompany their TV sets. The meals were simple to heat and then serve directly from the tray to the living room couches. The TV dinner trays were often placed on a small table while the family watched their evening programming. The meals were often served with fried chicken, a steak dinner, or turkey with gravy.

11. Plastic Tupperware Containers

In the 1960s, one could also find these containers in department stores and kitchenware stores, referred to as Tupperware. These small containers were famous for their lids, which shut securely and kept the food fresh for a longer period compared to the traditional containers used in the past. Their bright colors, like turquoise, pink, and yellow, made them noticeable in the stores. Women would attend home demonstration parties, where the containers would be displayed, and the vendor would show the audience how the lids shut securely with a sound. After seeing this, many would purchase them to store leftovers and also to carry food in their packed lunches.

12. Electric Hair Curlers

In the 1960s, beauty supply stores and department store cosmetic departments might carry electric hair curler sets for women seeking the fashionable look of the time. The 1960s hairstyle trends included curls and waves, often achieved with heat-styling tools. These electric hair curlers were marketed as a convenient alternative to the old method of using heated metal rods held in front of the stove. The set would include multiple rollers heated inside a small electric base. These were the tools that women would use before social events, the daily grind, and nights out because they knew the rollers would heat up quickly and hold the curls for hours.

13. Barbie Dolls

The toy shops of the 1960s were colorful with Barbie dolls, boxes overflowing with goodies in bright shades of pink that beckoned kids to walk down the aisles. Barbie had arrived in 1959 with a bang, and the toy became an overnight sensation in the world of the 1960s. In fact, in the early 1960s, some stores dedicated an entire shelf to the Barbie dolls and their accessories. The Barbie dolls became an icon of the modern-day fashion model teenager, with outfits that changed in sync with the latest fashion trends. Children would often save their weekly pocket money to buy new Barbie clothes sets that came in small individual packs. There were dresses, swimwear, evening gowns, and even tiny handbags to increase the number of outfits.

14. Spray Starch

The spray starch cans lined the aisles of laundry supplies in grocery and department stores during the 1960s. The fashion of the time demanded stiff shirts, dresses, and collars that stood at attention. A simple spraying of the starch over the clothes after the laundry cycle ensured that the clothes retained their stiff shape when the iron came in contact with the fabric. The housewives of the time would pick up the aerosol cans of spray starch to ensure their children’s school uniforms, their husbands’ office wear, and their formal wear looked crisp and neat. The act of spraying the starch over the clothes became an integral part of the laundry cycle.

15. Paperback Pocket Books

In the 1960s, you could buy affordable paperback books in every corner shop, bookstores, drugstores, and newsstands, the kind of books that could fit in your pocket and take anywhere with you. These pocket-sized treasures allow readers to indulge in the pleasure of reading without the weight and cost of a hardcover book. Publishers launched mystery, science fiction, and adventure books in paperback editions to cater to a wider audience. Vibrant and colorful covers enticed passersby, especially those strolling around the magazine stands. Commuters would buy a book to read on the way to work, and travelers would buy them at the airport or on the road to pass the time on a long journey.

16. Cigarette Cartons

In the 1960s, the shelves at the back of the cash registers in convenience stores, grocery stores, and gas stations had cartons of cigarettes. Smoking was the rage, and adults of all ages indulged in the habit. Brands such as Marlboro, Lucky Strike, and Camel dominated the glossy displays. People bought cartons of cigarettes rather than individual packets, as the cost of the bulk purchase was lower. Ten packets of cigarettes made up each carton, ensuring that the supply at home or in the car remained full. Advertisements played their part in the sale of cigarettes, as they were the epitome of class or cool. Walk into any store, and the customer would ask for their brand of choice without any hesitation.

17. Kodak Carousel Slide Trays

In the 1960s, camera stores and photo departments in the mall would sell slide trays, which were designed to work with the Kodak Carousel projector. These slide trays are round and could contain a number of photographic slides, which would be displayed one after the other in a slide show. For the family with a slide camera, there would be a number of travel photos, and therefore, they would need a number of slide trays to organize them. In most stores, the slide trays would be placed near the projector displays, and therefore, it was easy to pick up a number of them as accessories. Once the slide film was developed, the photographs would be placed in a cardboard or plastic frame, which was designed to fit in the carousel tray.

18. Electric Toothbrushes

In the 1960s, you could walk into a drug store or the appliance section of a department store and see the first electric toothbrushes, which would catch the eye of the curious shopper. Clean teeth had always been important, but now there was a new twist on the old method of brushing your teeth. Companies like General Electric introduced these toothbrushes with a small motor that made the bristles buzz and spin around your mouth. Anyone who was curious about trying new and different home appliances would give these a shot. The handles of the toothbrushes plugged into a charger or a power cord, and there were the replacement brushes on the shelves next to the main unit.

19. Eight Track Tape Cartridges

Back in the late 1960s, electronics stores and record stores carried eight-track cartridges for music lovers who wanted music on the go. The eight-track system allowed music lovers to enjoy pre-recorded music using special eight-track players, usually in cars. Car manufacturers began including eight-track players in cars, prompting owners to purchase eight-track cartridges before long road trips. Popular music albums from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Johnny Cash filled the eight-track cartridges. Music lovers would pass by rows of colorful eight-track cartridges, neatly organized by artist or music style. Music lovers enjoyed the convenience of having endless music on the go, without having to change a record or rewind a tape.

20. Instant Cake Mix

In the 1960s, the grocery store aisles were filled with instant cake mixes from popular brands like Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines. These cake mixes made it possible for anyone to have homemade desserts that were almost instant. They only needed to add some ingredients, and they could have their cakes. Inside the box, the mix contained ingredients like flour, sugar, flavoring, and leavening agents. Due to the lack of time, one could buy several of these cake mixes in case visitors came unexpectedly. To complete the cake, one would only need to add ingredients such as eggs, water, and oil, then proceed to bake the mix. This made baking possible for anyone, even those who had little experience in the kitchen.

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