[Gary H.]

Marbles and a steelie

 

[teresasanders78]

My Gramma used to let me go outside to her coal pile and bring in a metal bucket full of coal lumps so she could burn the coal in her old cast iron coal heater!

 

[Gary H.]

My Gramma used to let me go outside to her coal pile and bring in a metal bucket full of coal lumps so she could burn the coal in her old cast iron coal heater!

As a kid, I used to watch the coal man deliver coal to our basement coal bin as we had a coal burning furnace.

 

[Mrcapuano]

A black and white television with rabbit ears and only a couple stations

 

[JAC74]

Hanging the laundry outside to dry; hand-me-down clothes from older siblings; playing -45 records

 

[Peterbee]

Dial telephone where your finger went all the way around the dial before you put in the next number. Clothes hamging up outside to dry after being washed, the dryer was a revolving on a vertical pole.

 

[Oak Park Marilyn]

Air Raid drills at school.

 

[Nita614]

Printing on a letter press

 

[Littlebit]

What shenanigans means.

 

[moppyroda]

Dial phones

 

[davidsvine]

Life without a cellphone and an ATM

 

[TriciaR]

Playing OUTSIDE all day. Swinging on a rope jumping into a creek.

Thank you for sharing @sandiskinn825 — it brings back such vivid memories! There’s something so special about spending the whole day outside, getting muddy, making up games, and not coming home until the sun started to set. Do you remember who you used to play with by the creek? Was it in your neighborhood, or did you have to sneak off a bit to find the perfect spot?

 

[TriciaR]

Black and white TV with only 4 channels and no remote control.

Thanks so much for sharing @hermerdg ! It’s amazing to think how far technology has come — back then, having four channels felt like plenty, and getting up to change them was just part of the routine! Do you remember what your favorite show was back then? Or did the whole household have to agree on what to watch?

 

[TriciaR]

I wore my skate key around my neck

Love that — thank you for sharing @Jmarean17 ! The classic skate key! There was such a sense of freedom in skating around the neighborhood, wasn’t there? Wearing the key around your neck made you feel ready for anything. Did you have a favorite place to skate? And do you remember the first time you learned how?

 

[TriciaR]

That we would stay outside until the lights came on and no one worried if we were coming home.

Thank you for sharing @silkburke12 — that really paints a picture of a different time! There was such trust in the community back then, and a sense of freedom that kids today don’t always get to experience. Did you have a favorite game or activity you’d play while the sun was still up? And do you remember the moment those streetlights flickered on — was that your cue to race home or squeeze in one last adventure?

 

[TriciaR]

Making mud pies

Thanks for that memory @cablelady050 — making mud pies was such a classic childhood pastime! All it took was a patch of dirt, a bit of water, and a whole lot of imagination. No screens, no gadgets — just good, messy fun. Did you ever “serve” them to anyone, or decorate them with leaves and flowers? And was there a special spot where you’d set up your mud pie kitchen?

 

[TriciaR]

Electric TV antenna Rotors

Thank you for sharing @JJR1953 — that’s a blast from the past! Turning the rotor and watching the antenna slowly shift to get a clearer picture… and then waiting for someone inside to yell, “That’s it, stop!” Did you or someone in your household usually control the rotor? And do you remember which channel needed the most adjusting?

 

[TriciaR]

Well how about land lines with a party line.

Thanks so much for sharing @Robinbro — party lines really were something else! Picking up the phone and hearing someone else already chatting felt so strange by today’s standards. And having to be polite (or sneaky!) about when and how long you talked… what a time! Did you ever have a funny or awkward moment on the party line? Or did you know who the other voices belonged to in your neighborhood?

 

[TriciaR]

cut out paper dolls

Thank you for sharing @cymru41 — cut-out paper dolls were such a lovely way to pass the time. Picking out the outfits, carefully cutting around the tabs… it really sparked creativity and imagination. Did you have a favorite set or character you loved dressing up? And did you ever make your own clothes for them or trade pieces with friends?

 

[TriciaR]

One of my favorites in elementary school was "Red Rover"

Thanks for sharing @Jorgi Girl — Red Rover was such a playground classic! It was all about strategy, speed, and a little bit of bravery. You always hoped you wouldn’t be the one to get clotheslined… or break through too easily! Do you remember if your class played it during lunch breaks or PE? And were you more of a “runner” or the one who held the line strong?