Invented in the ’70s
This table tennis-inspired video game was invented by Atari employees in 1972.
What is Pong? The first Pong machine was installed in a bar in Sunnyvale, California, and was so popular that the machine broke down. The reason? The coin reservoir was overflowing with quarters and couldn’t take any more.
This Mario Puzo novel was on the bestseller list for 67 weeks and spawned a movie franchise.
What is The Godfather? The novel is estimated to have sold 20–30 million copies worldwide.
Charlotte Stewart played Laura Ingalls’ teacher on this TV show.
What is Little House on the Prairie? For her portrayal of schoolteacher Eva Beadle, Stewart was nominated for a TV Land “Teacher of the Year” award.
“_______ Takes Oath as 40th President, Promises an ‘Era of National Renewal,’” reads the New York Times front page on January 21, 1981.
Who is Reagan? The inauguration ceremony was the first to be held on the western front of the Capitol.
This television series stars Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, and Loretta Swit at a mobile Army hospital.
What is M*A*S*H? The series premiered on September 17, 1972, and ran for 11 years.
Nicknamed “Broadway Joe,” this quarterback got his start playing for the University of Alabama.
Who is Joe Namath? He holds the record for most yards passed in a season (4,007 yards).
In 1970, this popcorn mogul unveiled his hybrid strain of gourmet popping corn.
Who is Orville Redenbacher? His namesake popcorn was lighter and fluffier than anything else on the market. It took him nearly 20 years to develop.
Breakfast of Champions by this satirical author was one of 1973’s bestselling novels.
Who is Kurt Vonnegut? Vonnegut’s own experiences as an Army veteran influenced the novel’s sentiments about war.
Some of the Little Rascals had a crush on this schoolteacher.
Who is Miss Crabtree? She was played by June Marlowe and was one of the show’s most popular characters despite appearing in only six shorts.
A headline from July 30, 1981: “Amid Splendor, Charles Weds _______.”
Who is Diana? Newspapers around the world reported on the royal wedding at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
This 1987 thriller stars Glenn Close and Michael Douglas.
What is Fatal Attraction? The movie was released on September 18 and was one of the highest-grossing films of the year worldwide.
In 1969, this president appeared at the Texas vs. Arkansas “Game of the Century.”
Who is Richard Nixon? He presented Texas coach Darrell Royal with a plaque commemorating their victory over Arkansas.
This simple and beloved toy that gets kicked around was invented in 1972 by friends Mike Marshall and John Stalberger.
What is a hacky sack? The hacky sack game is also called footbag.
The original title of this Richard Adams bestseller was Hazel and Fiver, after two of the book’s rabbit characters.
What is Watership Down? The novel began as a story Adams told to his children and became a bestseller in 1974.
This show of the ’70s stars Gabe Kaplan as the titular teacher, trying to keep up with the antics of the “Sweathogs.”
What is Welcome Back, Kotter? Farrah Fawcett was considered for the role of Mrs. Kotter until producers decided audiences wouldn’t buy her as Kaplan’s wife.
From January 29, 1986: “Space Shuttle __________ Explodes Shortly After Lift Off.”
What is Challenger? After the explosion, crew members’ families founded the Challenger Center for Space Science Education program.
This actress known for Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, 9 to 5, and Grace and Frankie was born on September 1, 1939.
Who is Lily Tomlin? She originally majored in pre-med before starting stand-up comedy and choosing acting as a career.
Fittingly, the 1963 Army-Navy college football game was played in honor of this late politician.
Who is JFK? The late president was a noted fan of the Army-Navy game, so after a one-week delay, the game was played in remembrance of him.
Arthur Fry of the 3M company invented this re-stickable stationery item as a bookmark for his hymnal.
What is the Post-it Note? The adhesive Fry used was invented by fellow 3M scientist Dr. Spencer Silver.
The Silmarillion, a fantasy novel by this author, sat at No.1 for 13 weeks in 1977 followed by 10 weeks in 1978 for a total of 23 consecutive weeks.
Who is J.R.R. Tolkien? The novel expands upon the fantasy world of Middle Earth, where Tolkien set most of his stories.
Helen Crump was Opie’s teacher (and later, dated his dad!) on this 1960s show.
What is The Andy Griffith Show? Writers intended her to appear for only one episode but were so impressed with Aneta Corsaut’s portrayal that they gave her a larger role.
On March 24, 1989, the Washington Post reported, “Millions of Gallons of _______ Spill into Alaskan Sound.”
What is Oil? The Exxon-Valdez oil spill was the worst oil spill North America had seen to date.
David Hasselhoff stars as Michael Knight in this television series, along with K.I.T.T.
What is Knight Rider? The series premiered on September 26, 1982, and was rebooted in 2008.
This California basketball team went undefeated during the regular season and won the NCAA tournament in 1964 (the first of four times they have done so).
Who is UCLA? Only two teams had accomplished the feat before: North Carolina in 1957 and San Francisco in 1956.
This Hungarian teacher and puzzle lover invented his famous puzzle cube in 1974.
Who is Erno Rubik? Since 2003, the World Cube Association has hosted contests to see who can solve a Rubik’s cube the fastest.
This word finishes the title of the 1963 John le Carré bestseller: The _____ Who Came in from the Cold.
What is Spy? The novel inspired a 1965 film starring Richard Burton
Theodore Cleaver had quite the crush on his second-grade teacher, Miss Canfield, in this beloved TV series.
What is Leave It to Beaver? Diane Brewster reprised her role in the 1983 TV movie Still the Beaver.
From the Daily News Tonight on January 20, 1981: “Free! _____ lets 52 go home as Reagan is sworn in.”
What is Iran? The freed Americans were met in Germany by former President Carter.
This English actor was born on September 10, 1960; he is known for roles in The King’s Speech and Bridget Jones’s Diary.
Who is Colin Firth? He won an Oscar for his portrayal of King George VI in The King’s Speech.
Nicknamed “Big Red,” this basketball great got his start playing for UCLA under the tutelage of coach John Wooden.
Who is Bill Walton? Walton won three straight College Player of the Year awards during the ’70s.
These bite-sized peanut butter candies were invented in 1978 and featured in the movie E.T.
What are Reese’s Pieces? Sales of the candy increased by around 60 percent thanks to its status as E.T.’s favorite candy
This novelist topped the NYT bestsellers list many times throughout the ’60s and ’70s, with hits such as Hawaii and Chesapeake.
Who is James A. Michener? He was noted for his meticulously researched historical novels.
The teachers at Bayside High School had to keep up with rowdy teens in this late ’80s/early ’90s sitcom.
What is Saved by the Bell? The show is a spinoff of Good Morning, Miss Bliss.
From the Seattle Times on May 19, 1980: “________ still spewing ash, but scientists believe worst is over.”
What is St. Helens? The 1980 explosion sparked advances in our understanding of volcano science and improved scientists’ ability to predict volcanic eruptions.
Released in the United States in August 1971, And Now for Something Completely Different is an anthology of comedic sketches from this British comedy group.
What is Monty Python? The group included Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin.
College football had a big year in 1968, with both Ohio State University and this university achieving undefeated records that season.
What is Penn State? When the team won the 1969 Orange Bowl, it capped off coach Joe Paterno’s first undefeated season.