12 school supplies every kid in the 1970s wanted

Flash back a few decades to a shaggier, funkier, earth tone-ier time, when John Travolta was king, hair was long, and basketball shorts were really short. Here are a dozen of the most desired items for school kids in the 1970s. What did you have?


1. Trapper Keepers

Launched by Mead in 1978, these three-ring binders with the velcro flap kept your love notes safely tucked inside.


2. Little Professor calculators


Okay, so the Professor couldn't talk like a Speak & Spell, but he did have that nifty red digital readout that looked like a nuclear countdown clock.

3. Bic Banana Ink Crayons


No, we don't know why they're called Banana Crayons. Nor do we know quite what Mr. Banana Nose is supposed to be.


4. Plastic pencil cases


For your Banana Crayons, or course. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to advertise to bullies where you kept your lunch money.

5. Star Wars lunch boxes

In the fall of 1977, these babies were hotter than detailed plans to the Death Star.

6. Reggie Bars and Whatchamacallits


What to put in those metal lunch boxes? Candy, ideally. Both of these treats were introduced in 1978. Alas, the Reggie Bar is lost to time. There is no A-Rod Bar, and perhaps that is a good thing.

7. Highlights and Dynamite magazines


Something sophisticated for the dentist's office, something lighter for kicking back in the bean bag.

8. David Cassidy posters


The ultimate locker decoration. See also: Farrah Fawcett.


9. All denim everything — but especially vests


The matchier the better. We were at the tail end of western wear mania here.

10. Two words: bell bottoms


Our ankles breathed so much better.

11. Pop Wheels


If you wanted to roll to school in style, these platform clogs with retractable skates were your jam. Watch out for all those Pet Rocks on the sidewalk, though.

12. Cruising wagons and vans

Of course, if you really wanted to cruise to school in style, and you were sixteen, you could do no better than a groovy van with captain's chairs. Cars were the size of boats — they even came with portholes.
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2 Comments

DerekBird 35 months ago
I did not have David Cassidy posters. I had KISS posters.
idkwut2use 48 months ago
I finally found my precious old Trapper Keeper on eBay and repurchased it (the "rainbow hearts cascading down a jungle waterfall paradise" design.)
Love bell bottoms & Highlights & plastic pencil cases (kept some of mine, especially the Lisa Frank one...wish I still had one of the ones with the squishy magnetic lids and all the tools that'd pop out of the sides.) Also loved my roller skate sneakers, even though the jerks who ran the elementary school didn't.
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