Can You Name All These Items That Could Be Found in a ’60s Home?

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Name All These Items That Could Be Found in a ’60s Home?
Image: Cletus Hunnicutt via YouTube

About This Quiz

These days, we're always looking for the next best thing to help us in our day-to-day lives. We want better technology, easier cooking and even more free time.

It wasn't much different in the '60s. Many products were marketed as "space aged" and "futuristic," but we look back on them and wonder how anyone functioned with such archaic devices. That's not to say that these items weren't important and sometimes even necessary. If you lived in the 1960s, you know that innovation was more than just a thought. Several items were being brought into homes to give people more freedom from their daily workload. These inventions helped people cut their cooking times in half, delivered forms of entertainment that were not yet heard of and allowed people to design their homes how they saw fit.

If you grew up in the '60s, you probably watched your parents attempt to try out these new technologies, giving them more free time and changing their lifestyles completely. But do you think you remember what those items called? Take this quiz to see just how much you know about the things that could be found in nearly every household in the 1960s.

1 tang
haikaratae4 via YouTube
If you grew up in the 1960s, your house definitely had this drink mix readily available. What is it?
Kool-Aid
Weilers
Juicy Juice
Tang
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tang was marketed as the drink the astronauts took to the moon, but it was also considered a go-to for parents across the country. It was said to have vitamins and minerals that children needed, but it was basically just citric acid and sugar.

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2 rotary phone
vanalogue via YouTube
Do you know which kind of phone didn't have buttons?
Circle phone
Hash phone
Mic phone
Rotary phone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although the first push-button phone made it to market in 1963, the most common phone throughout the decade was a rotary phone, which required users to spin a dial to get a single number (which is why we still refer to making a phone call as "dialing a phone number").

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3 blender
pkguy3 via YouTube
Newer models of this kitchen appliance are sleek and usually brushed chrome or black. What do you call this boxy contraption?
Blender
Popcorn machine
Juicer
Stand mixer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The blender was invented in 1922, and models have changed over the years. While many of us see a Vitamix and get excited, most households in the '60s didn't have such great options, and they had to depend on a few bottom blades in hopes that their food was processed properly.

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4 little tulip chair
Entree libre via YouTube
Can you identify these types of chairs?
Space sitters
Little tulip chair
Captain's chairs
Spin diamonds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Little tulip chairs could be found in offices, salons and homes across the United States in the 1960s. In the home, these chairs were often used at breakfast bars because they were comfortable and stylish.

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5 color tv
drh4683 via YouTube
It might not look like much, but this was state of the art in the '60s. Do you know what it is?
Screen radio
Color television
Old school iPad
Channel changer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Televisions have come a long way since the 1960s. These days, nearly everyone has a flat screen television with smart capabilities, but back then, you were the most popular person on the block if you had a color TV.

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6 transistor radio
Jordan Pier via YouTube
What kind of radio is this?
FM
Two-way
Transistor
Ham
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The majority of large radios in the 1960s used vacuum tubes as circuits. However, transistor radios used transistors in their circuits, making them lighter, smaller and portable for everyone.

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7 sunbeam mixmaster
Third Street Kitchen via YouTube
Do you know what this helpful kitchen appliance is called?
Triple Stand
KitchenAid stand mixer
North American blender
Sunbeam Mixmaster
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While KitchenAid has the market nearly cornered these days with its stand mixer, the majority of homes in the '60s had a Sunbeam Mixmaster, as it was the most state of the art appliance of its time.

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8 pifco princess
Candy Dawn Amber via YouTube
This device attached to a woman's blow dryer. Do you know what it was called?
Pifco Princess
Tecco Tart
Beauty Bouffant
The Maximizer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Pifco Princess was a woman's way of getting the hairstyle she wanted without having to go to the salon several times a week. It gave them the bouffant hairstyle that we all know and love from the time period.

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9 percolator
Ron Jones via YouTube
In the '60s, drip-brew coffee machines didn't exist. What did most people use to make their coffee?
Trip pot
Percolator
They didn't make coffee.
Thermos
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For those who don't know how a percolator works, it is very much like a drip coffee pot, except the coffee is continuously sent up through the grounds. This is why coffee tended to have a burnt taste to it. If you didn't make it right, it would come out of the percolator like mud.

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10 barbie doll
KET - Kentucky Educational Television via YouTube
Any household with a little girl in the '60s had at least one of these. What is it?
Sally doll
Betsy Wetsy
Barbie doll
My Baby Surprise
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Barbie changed the game in 1959, and by the 1960s, nearly every little girl had at least one of them. They were beautiful and allowed little girls to play grown up without having to take care of babies.

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11 ant farm
LegendsofPanchoBarnes via YouTube
Young kids loved playing with this bug experiment. Do you know what it is?
Ant farm
Beetle bard
House bugs
Little diggers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you were lucky enough to own an ant farm as a child, you know that the joy was in watching the little buggers work. Of course, some kids gave their farms a little shake after the ants did so much work.

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12 chatty cathy
VintageTVCommercials via YouTube
Can you name this large, talking doll that rivaled Barbie?
Betsy Wetsy
Chatty Cathy
Speaking Sue
Bobbi Sue Lu
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Any household that included a young girl would most definitely have a Chatty Cathy doll. Though it rivaled Barbie in sales, chances are young girls owned both of these toys because they were so popular.

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13 cassette tape recorder
VWestlife via YouTube
It wasn't a Walkman, but it was close enough. Do you know what this device is called?
Reel to reel recorder
Market Maker
Cassette tape recorder
Portable stereo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cassette tape recorders were released in 1963, and people soon became obsessed with them. They could record their voices, music and sounds and play them back for others to hear. It was innovative, and it led to many great inventions down the road.

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14 electric blanket
craig1974 via YouTbe
Households that were in colder climates usually had at least one of these hanging around for winter. What is it?
Fleece blanket
Synthetic blanket
Paper blanket
Electric blanket
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Electric blankets were a great way to solve household temperature disputes. If someone was cold, they could simply get under the electric blanket. If someone was too hot, they could stay away from it.

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15 shag rug
Dupray via YouTube
You were in and you were hip if your house had one of these rugs. What kind of rug is it?
Shag
Flip
Area
Mix
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Shag rugs and shag carpeting were great to welcome friends into your home. The carpet was soft and generally in a warm color. However, it was very difficult to clean. It required raking, sweeping and avoiding the vacuum.

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16 pod chair
Michael Li via YouTube
Nearly every home had at least one of these chairs. Do you know what it's called?
Bean bag
Pod chair
Mixer chair
Heppa chair
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

They may have looked like eggs, but these sleek and "futuristic" chairs gave you the comfort you needed when you just wanted to relax. In the '60s, these chairs were often found, not in living rooms, but in bedrooms and sitting rooms.

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17 lava lamp
migette1 via YouTube
Can you remember what kind of lamp this is?
Space lamp
Microlamp
Lava lamp
Well lamp
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lava lamps were a huge part of the decor in the 1960s, and you didn't have to be a strung-out teenager to own one. These lamps were made with wax, and when the lamp was on, the wax heated and moved around, giving out a psychedelic vibe.

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18 tv trays
SMILEatTheDEALS via YouTube
By the 1960s, pretty much every home had a set of these. What are they?
Couch tables
End tables
Tea tables
TV trays
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With more and more families enjoying TV time during dinner time, TV trays became a great way to avoid a mess while enjoying your favorite show. Additionally, TV dinners were made popular around this time, giving home cooks a little break from just about everything from preparation to clean-up.

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19 beaded curtain
Matt Baker via YouTube
Do you know the name of this item that replaced some doors in '60s homes?
Beaded curtains
Room dividers
Slip sheets
Curtain sheets
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Beaded curtains were a great way to let people know there was a doorway somewhere, but it was totally cool if they went through it. These curtains didn't allow much privacy, but the sound the beads made when someone walked through the curtain was like a built-in warning system to those on the other side of the doorway.

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20 belt massager
British Pathe via YouTube
What is this piece of exercise equipment from the decade?
Rear worker
Belt massager
Mix master
Fill buster
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Belt massagers were a popular piece of exercise equipment that helped women shape their bodies without actually partaking in physical activity. They generally came in black and enamel finishes, and they did nothing of what they claimed to do.

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21 sun burst clock
Cletus Hunnicutt via YouTube
Clocks like this were essential home decor pieces in the '60s. What are they called?
Star clock
Intricate mirror clock
Sunburst clock
Mirrored time
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sunburst clocks are named after their appearance. Some were made out of mirror, but most were made out of brass to give a great shine. They attracted the eye as a piece of artwork, but they also had the practical use of telling time.

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22 pole lamp
GISO via YouTube
Can you remember the name of these interesting lamps?
Taxi lamps
Dancer lamps
Strip lamps
Pole lamps
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pole lamps were considered the highest quality lamps of the time period. They came in different colors and patterns to fit whatever decor options you were particular to. Some even had flat surfaces and ashtrays attached.

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23 electric cooker
TV TOY MEMORIES via YouTube
Those who liked to host definitely had these. Do you know what they are?
Electric cooker
Buffet tray
Buffet warmer
Heat pan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Electric cookers are now called electric skillets. Though the design is similar to the ones made today, the electric cooker of the '60s was marketed as a hot server and breakfast cooker.

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24 portable dishwasher
chestermikeuk via YouTube
Though many kitchens these days come standard with these appliances, the 1960s offered portable versions. Do you know what it is?
Portable fridge
Portable dishwasher
Portable wine cooler
Portable trash compactor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Portable dishwashers were all the rage in the 1960s. They were priced at around $250, which was quite a bit of money back then, but those who had them appreciated them more and more every day.

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25 upright vacuum
ibaisaic via YouTube
Do you recognize this piece of cleaning equipment?
Electric steam cleaner
Electric duster
Upright vacuum
Mighty broom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're old enough to remember vacuum cleaners that looked like miniature cars with long hoses, you probably remember how cool it was to see an upright vacuum. These were an excellent way to keep your home clean in a fraction of the time and using a fraction of the energy.

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26 electric can opener
Teddy Hashee via YouTube
Sun beam made this popular in the 1960s. What is it?
Electric bottle opener
Electric mixer
Hand mixer
Electric can opener
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canned food ruled the world in the 1960s. It didn't spoil, it tasted fine, and it made for easy cooking. Creating an electric can opener was a genius plan to get more electronic devices into kitchens across America.

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27 record player
Dan O'Connor via YouTube
Can you name this form of entertainment?
Record player
Phonoplayer
Vinyl spinner
Slip skinner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though 8-track players were invented in 1965, the majority of homes in the '60s still had record players available. The crisp sound of vinyl was irreplaceable. However, people later moved toward 8-tracks and cassettes because they took up less space.

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28 side-by-side refrigerator
Leah Drake via YouTube
What kind of refrigerator gave you both convenience and status in the decade?
Bottom freezer refrigerator
Side-by-side refrigerator
French fridge
Ice dispenser fridge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Side-by-side refrigerators were all the rage in the 1960s. They required less work to find the items you were looking for, and they gave you more freezer space as well. They were also easier to clean, as they didn't require you to reach far to clean them.

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29 front-loading toaster oven
TV TOY MEMORIES via YouTube
This countertop appliance was a great way to cook food quickly. Do you know what it is?
Pizza oven
Brick oven
Front-loading toaster oven
Slip oven
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Front-loading toaster ovens were a great way for home cooks to get the toasted taste they wanted on most of their meals. They were also excellent for making hor d'oeuvres for parties.

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30 gi joe
HoodedCobraCommander788 via YouTube
Most homes with little boys had these action figures. What are they?
G.I. Joe
American Heroes
War Dolls
Viet Namers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

G.I. Joe was a household staple for all boys who had any kind of toys. Though parents of the time period worried about giving their boys dolls to play with, G.I. Joe assured them that they were action figures.

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31 walker
Michelle's Doll Collection via YouTube
The design for this baby item has changed quite a bit since the '60s. Do you know what it's called?
Stroller
Walker
High chair
Jumper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These days, walkers are made almost completely out of plastic or metal covered in plastic or silicone. In the '60s, it was just metal and cloth, but if you were lucky, there was a plastic tray on it.

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32 tall crown hat
British Pathe via YouTube
You could find this hat on any rack in the suburbs in the '60s. What kind of hat is it?
Top hat
Topper
Tall crown hat
Felt shopper tall hat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Women wearing fashionable hats was a big rage in the 1960s. Though this trend ended shortly after the decade, stylish hats like the tall crown hat were signs of status and social heirachy.

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33 drapes
DOY0UTUBE via YouTube
Can you name these sun blocking devices that came in vibrant colors and intricate patterns?
Draws
Slides
Flaps
Drapes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the 1960s, drapes were made of incredibly heavy material like velvet and suede. They were considered a gorgeous addition to home decor, and they could help you frame an entire room.

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34 electric shaver
Vintage Fanatic via YouTube
Can you identify this bathroom device?
Electric shaver
Electric tooth brush
Electric hair brush
Electric shampooer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Electric shavers are not a new thing. Though the design has changed quite a bit, both men's and women's electric shavers were available on the market throughout the 1960s. They were advertised as convenient and essential.

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35 instant coffee
TV TOY MEMORIES via YouTube
Many housewives chose this morning beverage mix. What is it?
Ovaltine
Instant coffee
Juicy juice
Instant tea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Because brewing coffee was a royal pain in the 1960s, instant coffee was marketed as a time-saving and flavor-saving must-have. Even those who boasted making the best brewed coffee had a little bit of instant coffee on hand, in case of an emergency.

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36 bean bag chair
Sedie.Design | furniature e-commerce via YouTube
These were great for lounging around. What are they?
Large cushion
Bean cush
Bean bag chair
Ball pillow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bean bag chairs were perfect for a child's play area or a teenager's room. They were soft and comfortable, but it was hard to remain graceful when you tried to get up from one.

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37 wallpaper
British Pathe via YouTube
Can you name the stuff that makes your walls look designer?
Wall stick
Paint stencils
Trip stickers
Wallpaper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you didn't use wallpaper in the 1960s, you were not in the groove. This was a housing essential during the decade, and it had to have intricate floral designs to keep the wall busy and avoid the plain paint alternatives.

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38 padded portable bar
Velveteen Lounge Kitsch-en via YouTube
Your dad may have had one of these in a corner of the house. What is it?
Padded portable bar
Portable bridge table
Portable chairs
Milk dispenser
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Portable bars came in several styles in the 1960s, but most had a padded leather or patent leather design on the front and matching stools. It was a great way to keep things away from the kids while entertaining your adult friends.

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39 flare swing coat
Angela Clayton via YouTube
What style is this women's coat?
Pea coat
Ruffled jacket
Flare swing coat
Pillbox
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Flare swing coats were made during a time when a coat had to be both fashionable and practical. These coats were very much like a dress to go over your dress in the winter. They were high fashion, and even Barbie had one.

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40 pop art jewelry
Shesjustadoll via YouTube
What kind of jewelry was in style for women in the 1960s?
Impressionist jewelry
Post-modern jewelry
Whitewashed jewelry
Pop art jewelry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jewelry in the 1960s was nothing short of fantastic. From stained glass jewelry to the pop art jewelry of the time, women loved adding it on. The layers of jewelry received a lot of attention.

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You Got:
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Cletus Hunnicutt via YouTube