As you move into your golden years, you may have noticed that many of the trends from when you were younger have made a comeback in our culture lately. Shows like Stranger Things have made ‘80s nostalgia a big part of our world today. Here are some of the biggest fads from the ‘80s:
Rubik’s Cubes
Developed by Professor Erno Rubik in 1974, this toy didn’t hit the States until 1980.[1] It’s a classic puzzle that swept the nation and is also notoriously hard to solve. If you don’t know how to solve one, you likely heard (or said) the phrase, “Just take the stickers off and put them back on so it looks solved,” at some point in your life.
Swatches
Swatches were a cheap collectible kind of watch that everyone wanted in the ‘80s. They were created by the Swiss watch company Swatch after their high-end watches were dropping in sales in the late ’70s. In order to appeal to a different market, they developed the cheaper, machine-built watches that became a sensation in the ’80s. They came in many different colors and styles, and some of them were even scented.[2]
The Walkman
This was one of the most important developments in modern music technology. Giving people music that they could carry around with them and listen to in private absolutely changed the landscape of the music industry forever. The Walkman was the first in the line, leading to portable CD players, iPods and mp3 players, and now phones with music streaming abilities. The Walkman made music something that you could carry with you all the time, which helped shape cultural identities from the ‘80s up through today. It made music something that was yours. You could be a huge fan of whatever music you wanted and no one else had to know, which made music move in a more personal and targeted direction.
The Walkman was developed by Sony in 1979. The tape technology it used had been around for a long time before the Walkman was developed, but the Walkman’s portability and privacy were what made it so successful.[3]
Looking Toward the Future
It’s always nice to reminisce about the past. But if you are concerned about your financial future and retirement, Click HERE to schedule a complimentary meeting with our team today at Bulman Wealth Group.
