There was something magical about the school supplies of the 70s. Back then, getting ready for school wasn’t just about hitting the books; it was about showing off the right stuff. The minute you walked into the classroom, your supplies were your personality—your status symbol. These were the days when the right pencil case or notebook could instantly elevate you to playground legend. Let’s dive back into those nostalgic times, where your coolest accessories made all the difference in how you were seen by your classmates.
1. Metal Lunch Boxes with Matching Thermos
Remember walking into the cafeteria and pulling out a metal lunch box adorned with your favorite TV or movie characters? Whether it was Charlie’s Angels, Star Wars, or Scooby-Doo, your lunch box wasn’t just practical—it was a statement. And let’s not forget the matching thermos inside, perfect for keeping your milk or soup warm. If you had one of these, everyone wanted to sit at your table.
2. Trapper Keeper
If you had a Trapper Keeper, you were instantly cool. The bright colors, the Velcro closure, the internal pockets—this wasn’t just a binder; it was a portable command center for all your notes, doodles, and secret love letters. The sound of the Velcro ripping open was like a siren call across the classroom, announcing that you had arrived.
3. Smelly Markers
There was nothing quite like opening a pack of smelly markers and letting the scents waft across the classroom. Strawberry, grape, and the mysterious-but-delightful black licorice—these weren’t just art supplies; they were status symbols. The kid with the full set? They were a celebrity during group projects, as everyone fought over which color (and scent) to use.
4. Spirograph
This mesmerizing geometric drawing tool allowed you to create intricate, colorful patterns with just a few pens and gears. Spirographs turned boring study hall periods into art-making sessions. Having a Spirograph kit in your backpack was an instant way to impress friends with your creative, kaleidoscopic designs.
5. Clicky Pens (The Ones with Multiple Colors)
That click-click-click sound as you rotated between red, blue, green, and black ink was music to everyone’s ears. Having a multi-color pen wasn’t just practical; it was power. You could write in every color without having to switch pens, and that made you the most organized—and therefore the coolest—kid in class.
6. Banana Seat Bike for the Ride to School
Okay, not exactly in the classroom, but your ride to school said a lot about who you were, and if you pulled up on a banana seat bike, heads turned. The bright colors, the long seats, the high handlebars—this wasn’t just transportation; it was a fashion statement on wheels. A bike like this gave you instant street cred before you even stepped foot in class.
7. Spiral Notebooks with Designs on the Cover
Plain notebooks were for rookies. But spiral notebooks with vibrant, psychedelic designs or glossy movie-star covers? Those were for the cool kids. Whether it was tie-dye swirls, bold patterns, or your favorite celebrity, your notebook was a canvas for your interests—and everyone noticed what you brought to class.
8. Eraser Tops in Fun Shapes
Regular pink erasers did the job, but if you had erasers shaped like animals, cars, or food items, you were in a whole other league. These tiny, colorful erasers sat perched atop your pencil, ready to not only fix mistakes but also spark conversations. Everyone wanted to trade with the kid who had a mini hamburger or a rainbow-colored dolphin on their pencil.
9. Moods Rings
Not technically school supplies, but if you wore a mood ring to class, it was an instant conversation starter. The idea that the ring could change color based on your emotions was endlessly fascinating. Even if you didn’t quite understand how it worked, showing off your “blue for calm” ring color was a subtle way of showing you were in tune with your feelings—and that was cool.
10. Crayola 64-Pack with Built-In Sharpener
There was the regular box of crayons, and then there was the Crayola 64-Pack. If you owned one of these, you were basically an art class superstar. It had colors no one had ever heard of—like periwinkle or burnt sienna—and the built-in sharpener in the back? That was just genius. Everyone gathered around to borrow the odd colors and sharpen their dull crayons in your box. It was like holding the key to creative freedom.
11. Glue Bottles with Orange Caps
The iconic Elmer’s Glue bottle, with its orange twist-off cap, was more than just a classroom staple. It represented the excitement of art projects and the satisfying squirt as you applied a perfect line of glue. And let’s be honest—most of us secretly loved peeling off dried glue from our fingers afterward. It was a weirdly universal experience that bonded us all.
12. Metal Compass
The metal compass was one of those school supplies that felt very serious and grown-up. With its sharp point and pencil holder, you could draw perfect circles or, more likely, poke holes in your paper (or accidentally your hand). Carrying a metal compass meant you were prepared for geometry class, but it also felt like carrying a mini tool kit.
The school supplies of the 70s were so much more than just tools for learning. They were a reflection of who you were, how you wanted to be seen, and the connections you made with your classmates. From the colors and scents to the sounds and styles, each item carried memories of those school days—where something as simple as a Trapper Keeper or a smelly marker could define your status and spark conversations that would last until the bell rang. Those were the days when even the smallest items felt like a big deal—and they still bring a smile to your face when you think back on them today.
