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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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