The 1970s were a time of wild experimentation, and that extended to the fads that swept the nation. Some trends had staying power, but others flamed out almost as quickly as they arrived. Whether it was a bizarre fashion choice, a strange new food, or an oddball hobby, these fads had everyone hooked—for a little while, anyway. Looking back, it’s hard to believe we were ever this obsessed, but at the time, they seemed like the coolest thing ever.
1. Pet Rocks
For a brief moment in the mid-‘70s, people actually paid money for a rock in a box. Marketed as the perfect low-maintenance pet, the Pet Rock came with its own carrying case and a humorous instruction manual on how to “care” for it. It was the brainchild of a clever ad man who turned a joke into a multimillion-dollar phenomenon. As recounted by Mental Floss, pet rocks had a history as unique as this unusual fad.
People bought them as gag gifts, kids took them to school, and for a short while, having a Pet Rock was a mark of cultural savvy. But once the novelty wore off, most of them ended up in junk drawers or tossed out entirely. By 1976, the craze had fizzled, leaving behind nothing but memories and a lot of very confused rocks.
2. Water Beds
The idea of sleeping on a giant bag of water sounded futuristic, luxurious, and just plain cool. By the late ‘70s, water beds were the ultimate bedroom status symbol, promising better sleep and even therapeutic benefits. Couples loved them for their “motion,” and single folks felt like they had the height of modern design in their homes. As recently as 2024, Dwell suggested society may be attempting another water bed comeback, results to be determined.
The reality, however, was a little different. Water beds were hard to move, easy to puncture, and a nightmare to drain if you ever had to relocate. By the ‘80s, their popularity was already declining, and today, they’re mostly remembered as an impractical but hilarious relic of the past.
3. Mood Rings
In the mid-‘70s, everyone seemed convinced that a ring could reveal their emotional state. Mood rings featured heat-sensitive liquid crystals that changed color based on temperature, supposedly reflecting the wearer’s mood. Blue meant calm, green was normal, and black… well, that usually meant the ring was too cold or just plain broken. Thanks to HowStuffWorks, owners can make further sense of how these work – and how they feel about it.
For a while, mood rings were the must-have accessory, with kids and adults alike checking their fingers to see if they were happy, nervous, or stressed. Of course, the science behind them was flimsy at best, and most people quickly realized the colors had more to do with the weather than their actual emotions. The fad fizzled out, but for a few years, mood rings made us all believe in the power of shifting colors.
4. The CB Radio Craze
Thanks to trucker culture and movies like Smokey and the Bandit, CB radios became a nationwide obsession in the ‘70s. People of all ages suddenly had their own radios, using handles like “Roadrunner” or “Lucky Lady” to chat with total strangers. The airwaves were filled with trucker lingo, coded phrases, and plenty of good-natured fun. As outlined in Britannica, the CB radio is remarkably versatile, further explaining just how strong this fad was.
At its peak, even people who had no real need for a CB radio felt compelled to own one. Families installed them in their station wagons, and some folks just used them at home to listen in on the chatter. But once the FCC cracked down on illegal broadcasts and the novelty wore off, the craze faded, leaving only a few die-hard enthusiasts still saying, “Breaker, breaker, good buddy.”
5. Streaking
If you were around in the ‘70s, you probably remember when people suddenly decided that running naked in public was the height of comedy. Streaking took off as a spontaneous act of rebellion, with college students and free spirits dashing across football fields, campuses, and even live TV broadcasts. It was so popular that Ray Stevens even wrote a hit song about it, simply titled The Streak.
For a few years, it seemed like streakers were everywhere, and news stations couldn’t resist covering the latest high-profile incident. But as authorities cracked down and the novelty wore off, most people realized that running through a crowd in nothing but sneakers wasn’t as glamorous as it seemed. Today, streaking is mostly remembered as one of the weirdest (and most fleeting) fads of the decade.
6. Clackers
Clackers were the simplest toy imaginable—two acrylic balls attached to a string that you swung up and down to make them smack together. The goal was to keep them clacking as fast as possible, creating a rhythmic click-clack noise that could drive parents insane. They were wildly popular, and playgrounds were filled with kids showing off their Clacker skills.
The problem? Clackers were dangerous. If you swung too hard, the balls could shatter, sending shards of plastic flying. After numerous injuries, they were banned in many places, and the fad quickly disappeared. Still, for a brief moment, Clackers were the toy to have.
7. Earth Shoes
In the ‘70s, a funky-looking shoe with a negative heel became the height of trendy footwear. Earth Shoes were designed to put your heels lower than your toes, supposedly improving posture and reducing joint strain. Celebrities wore them, health-conscious folks swore by them, and they became a counterculture fashion statement.
But while some people loved the unique design, others found them uncomfortable, awkward to walk in, or just plain unattractive. By the time the ‘80s rolled around, the Earth Shoe craze had mostly died out. While they’ve had small revivals here and there, they never quite regained their ‘70s glory.
8. The Pet Rock’s Weird Cousins—Invisible Dogs
If buying a rock wasn’t strange enough, people in the ‘70s also got hooked on walking an “invisible dog.” This gag toy consisted of a stiff leash and collar, giving the illusion that you were leading a well-behaved but entirely imaginary pet. It was a hit at carnivals, novelty shops, and street fairs, with kids proudly “walking” their nonexistent companions.
The joke was good for a laugh, but like most novelty items, the fun wore off quickly. Once the prank had been played a few times, the invisible dogs were tossed in closets and forgotten. Still, for a few brief years, people genuinely walked around pretending they had an invisible pet.
9. Pong—The Home Video Game Craze That Fizzled
Before Pac-Man, before Super Mario, before gaming became a billion-dollar industry, there was Pong. Released in 1972, this simple table-tennis game was the first commercially successful home video game, sparking an absolute frenzy. Everyone wanted an Atari console to play Pong at home, and for a short while, it seemed like video gaming had reached its peak.
But technology moves fast, and by the late ‘70s, more advanced arcade games like Space Invaders made Pong look ancient. Home consoles quickly evolved past its simplistic two-paddle gameplay, and Pong machines were shoved into closets and forgotten. While it deserves credit for launching the home gaming revolution, Pong is now more of a historical footnote than an ongoing phenomenon.
10. The 8-Track Tape
In the early ‘70s, the 8-track tape was the future of music. It allowed people to take their favorite albums on the go, with car stereos and portable players becoming must-have accessories. Everyone from rock bands to country singers released their albums on 8-track, and for a while, it seemed like vinyl records might become obsolete.
But the format had problems—songs would often cut off in the middle to switch tracks, and the bulky cartridges were prone to wear and tear. By the late ‘70s, cassette tapes took over, offering better sound quality and portability. The 8-track quickly became a relic of the past, left behind in glove compartments and garage sale bins.
The ‘70s were full of weird and wonderful fads, many of which burned brightly before disappearing almost overnight. Whether they were silly, impractical, or just ahead of their time, these trends remind us of an era when people weren’t afraid to try something new—even if it didn’t always make sense.
