I’m not sure whether redditor JustDoItM8 timed this AskReddit thread to coincide with Throwback Thursday on purpose — but even if s/he didn’t, I can’t really let this hefty dose of nostalgia go by without comment on it, can I? The thread, titled “What was ‘cool’ back in your day?”, is basically just one big repository of everything you could possibly remember from your childhood. I’d call that a win.
As is the case with most Internet nostalgia, it’s heavily weighted in favor of the ‘90s; there are, however, a few pleasant surprises from earlier generations, as well as at least one from a generation that was well past my time. Many of the memories are fond ones, although not all of them are — and at least one of them will probably make you regret clicking on the thread in the first place. But you know what? Screw it. I’m going in. And if you’re still with me, so are you. Are you ready for this? We may not be getting any younger, but at least we can keep stewing ourselves in the things that made our childhoods worth remembering.
1. Pogs
Era: ‘90s
No collection was complete without a metal slammer heavy enough to cause some real damage if you weren’t careful. Don’t forget the plastic tube to carry your collection around in.
2. Rollerblades
Era: ‘90s
You never forget your first pair.
3. Choose Your Own Adventure Books
Era: ‘80s and ‘90s
Fun fact: Choose Your Own Adventure parties are apparently a thing that nostalgic adults occasionally throw. From what I can determine from the photos on Flickr, they involve eating and drinking questionable foods and beverages when specific things happen. Also, go get yourself a Choose Your Own Adventure shirt from Out of Print Clothing. You won’t regret it.
4. Jnco Jeans
Era: ‘90s
Huge jeans. Gigantic. So enormous you could get lost in them.
5. Sony Transistor Radios
Era: ‘50s and ‘60s
In the midst of all the ‘90s nostalgia, it’s nice to see some other generations represented. The redditor who brought up this one, rickmaz, was born in 1952; s/he says s/he carried it everywhere. A prized possession, indeed!
6. Atari 2600
Era: ‘70s and ‘80s
When my parents were cleaning out the house before they moved six years ago, my mom found not one, but two different types of Atari systems in my brother’s room. Why two different ones? No idea. But man, do I have fond memories of playing California Games and Pitfall. Never Pong, though. I was terrible at it.
7. Freezy Freakies Gloves
Era: ‘80s and ‘90s
I wanted a pair of these color-changing snow gloves so badly. Alas, I never got them — although as BuzzFeed points out, now we have the beer can version of them, so I guess everybody wins in the end.
8. Digital Watches
Era: ‘70s and onward
These will always be associated with Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for me. Anyone else?
9. Pagers
Era: ‘90s
In the words of Buffy:
10. Hypercolor Shirts
Era: ‘80s and ‘90s
I’m not sure what it was about the ‘90s and thermal color-changing things, but they really were everywhere, weren’t they? This picture was actually taken in 1991, by the way. Nostalgia win.
11. Wearing Your Backpack With Only One Strap
Era: Pre-1996
Why the incredibly specific date? According to Slate, 1996 is when two-strapping started to become the norm, probably because wearing your backpack on one strap can cause a whoooooole lot of back problems. Nowadays messenger bags are in, so if you dig the one-strap look, that’s how it’s usually accomplished. P.S. I had no idea which strap your wore your backpack on had such an interesting cultural history.
12. Things Disguised As Other Things
Era: ‘80s? (I’m guessing here because my memory is a little fuzzy. Thoughts, everyone?)
I’m willing to bet a lot of us either had or desperately wanted a radio disguised as a Coke can like the one redditor drumanddrummer had. I think the one seen here wins the prize, though: It’s a radio, disguised as a Coke can, disguised as a dude wearing earmuffs, a scarf, and sunglasses. Inception, you guys.
13. Heelys
Era: ‘00s
These were a little after my time, but I’m sure there’s an entire generation of kids that remembers those shoes with the wheels on them with great fondness.
14. Devil Sticks
Era: ‘90s
I was only allowed to play with mine in the driveway or the yard — never inside the house. In retrospect, this was probably a really, really good move on my parents’ part.
15. Hamster Dance
Era: Late ‘90s and ‘00s
Images: Burkazoid, weekendplayer, sushiesque, France1978 (2), WDAAssoc, Pete Jelliffe, Bijou Living, Steve Greer, chrisash, dantaylor, Elvert Barnes/Flickr; WIki Commons; ytmnd
