For my A to Z Challenge theme I will be posting items that are no longer with us or are close to becoming extinct.
These are great items to use if you are trying to set a time period in your story or to stay away from if you want your story to be timeless.
I am not much of a shopper but I love to shop for anything having to do with cooking and odd or unique items. I was so sad when my local Linens and Things closed down they had weird quirky items and lots of kitchen gadgets. They were very much like Bed Bath and Beyond but for some reason I liked them better. In 2008 they disappeared. In researching this post I was shocked to find they opened up again as an online retailer only in 2009 at www.LNT.com.
Leisure Suits- the name is an oxymoron. Who thinks of a suit and comfortably lounging around? They epitomize the 70s in the US. Look at all that lovely polyester.
Staying with the 1970's- Leaded gas began phasing out in the early '70s and was finally banned in the US in 1995. Lead was added to gas because it boosted the octane levels in fuel and acted as a lubricant in the soft valves seats that were in older engines. The lead was terrible for the environment, our health and caked on the spark plugs so you had to change them more frequently than you do with unleaded gas.
Lionel Corporation model trains. I seem to be stuck around the 1970's. Lionel trains were the model train. My father and uncle fought, as full grown adults, over who got to keep their childhood Lionel train set. In 1967 the company went bankrupt. There is a Lionel LLC now but it is not the same company as the Lionel Corporation that made all the model trains.
Lickable stamps- I am sure they still exist but I never see them and I certainly don't miss licking stamps. The convenience of peel and stick is wonderful and will continue to be the most prevalent form of stamps in the US. Okay so all of this is my opinion with no research but I think I am right here so I'm going with it.
Happy Writing!
I had no idea that Lionel went bankrupt--where have I been? :)
ReplyDeleteYou've been with the majority of the population not obsessed with toy trains. I was surprised it was that late, for some reason I thought of them in the 50s and not much after that.
DeleteI remember Linens and Things! My mom and I loved it too.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked to find out they existed online. They aren't marketing themselves well.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI remember those leisure suits and how many men sported around in them. Today, they look ridiculous.
Enjoyed reading your post.
Visiting from the A to Z Blog Challenge 2015.
Shalom,
Patricia at Everything Must Change
It is definitely a piece of clothing that sets a time period. I just saw a man yesterday with the short boots with the zipper on the side that were so popular in the 70s as well.
DeleteI'd take the leisure suit over the lowered pants and underwear look!
The leisure suits are so funny! My dad had one and we still laugh at the pics.
ReplyDeleteI also really liked Linens and Things and was bummed when they went out.
I love that you say your dad had one. When I saw the ad and they were $30 that seemed like such a bargain. I will have to ask my dad if he did. I remember photos in shirts with large wide collars, possibly polyester but I don't remember a leisure suit.
DeleteAh, the old leisure suit. I remember them well. I distinctly recall the loud patterns and colors on them. If you stared too long, your eyes would cross.
ReplyDeleteI miss Linens and Things too!! So sad they went out of business.I liked them better than BB&Beyond, they always had cheaper prices. Hmm, I wonder if that's what happened?
Popping in from A-Z and became new follower. Glad to meet you Kat!
The parents gave the Brother a green leisure suit for Christmas one year. When he opened the package and saw it, he said, "Oh No!" and shut it quickly. I still laugh remembering his expression of horridness.
ReplyDeleteThe View from the Top of the Ladder
Take 25 to Hollister
Haven't seen a lickable stamp for a while over here either. Hornby was the big train name in the UK. My brother had a massive train set!
ReplyDeleteI loved Linens and Things, too. You're right it was different from Bed, Bath and Beyond. I once heard that roaches lived off the glue on stamps. After that I never licked on again.
ReplyDeleteScribbles From Jenn - Visiting from the A to Z Challenge
Hi Kat - I don't know some of these as I'm over the pond .. but Leisure suits - thank goodness they went out!! Lead too .. we live and learn .. and yes peelable stamps are so much better .. cheers Hilary
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