Things we Used to Have and Do
Today we paly solitaire on the computer, but back in the day, we played it with these.
What are cards? The game is said to have originated in the 18th century in the Baltic region of Europe, where it is called patience.
The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Avengers
What is The Avengers? The Avengers is a 1960s-era TV spy drama; the other two are rock 'n' roll bands.
A collie is the start of this long-running TV show, which began in 1854.
What is Lassie?
In 1955, she was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger.
Who is Rosa Parks?
Today, we touch numbers on our phones or use our contact lists to make a phone call, but we used to do this connect to the other party.
What is dial the phone? We also used to memorize phone numbers.
In the 1970s and the 1980s, parents and grandparents relied on their children and grandchildren to program this device that recorded TV shows.
What is VCR?
Monopoly, Pac-Man, Clue
What is Pac-Man? It is an electronic video game; the other two are much older board games.
This war comedy-drama featuring characters Hawkeye, Hot Lips, Klinger, and Radar had the largest audience ever recorded for its series finale.
What is M*A*S*H? The series finale had an audience of 106 million people.
Her coronation took place in 1953.
Who is Queen Elizabeth II? She's held the crown for almost 70 years.
Today, when we're driving and a tire deflates, we call a roadside service, but we used to do this ourselves.
What is change a flat tire?
In the 1960s and 1970s, we drove without these restraining devices.
What are seatbelts?
John Travolta, John "Cougar" Mellencamp, and John Goodman
Who is John "Cougar" Mellencamp? He's a singer, and the other two are actors.
This show had a stellar ensemble cast - Judd Hirsh, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Tony Danza, and Andy Kaufman, among others - and chronicles the life of New York City cab drivers.
What is Taxi?
In 1952, this vaccine was released by Dr. Jonas Salk.
What is polio? Polio was first detected in 1894 in Vermont.
In the days before text messages, we used to write notes in longhand, sometimes using this type of pen with a nib and refillable ink source.
What is fountain pen?
What is shoe polish?
Watergate, Woodstock, and Altamont
What is Watergate? The other two places were scenes of famous rock concerts; the Watergate Hotel was the scene of the Democratic headquarters break-in.
Lyrics to theme song of this 1970s Saturday-night show include:
Love, exciting and new
Come aboard. We're expecting you.
And love, life's sweetest reward.
Let it flow, it floats back to you.
What is The Love Boat?
What is Sputnik? It was the first artificial satellite in space.
When we needed new clothes, we consulted huge McCall's, Vogue, and Butterick books to find these.
What are patterns? We sewed expensive-looking clothes for a fraction of what we would pay in a store.
Today with online banking, there is no need to use this paper item to keep track of checking account balances.
What is bank book or check register (or similar)?
Triangle, Pentagon, Rectangle
What is Pentagon? The other two are just shapes. The Pentagon is a shape AND a government building.
Bea Arthur first plays this character on the 1970s show that's name for her character.
Who is Maude?
In 1952, this British monarch died.
Who is King George VI? He died in his sleep.
Everyone used to consult one of these physical books to find a synonym.
What is thesaurus?