Life in the 1970s

Hello Everyone !!

The 1970s was a decade of profound change, where shifts in politics, technology, culture, and society dramatically reshaped daily life. Economic fluctuations saw periods of prosperity, followed by the impact of the oil crisis. 

Culturally, the ’70s were marked by a continuation of the ’60s civil rights movements. Women’s liberation and environmental awareness gained traction. At the same time, new forms of music, from disco to punk rock, revolutionized entertainment, and the advent of home television began to alter the fabric of family life.

Technological progress was pivotal. The introduction of the personal computer began to hint at a digital revolution on the horizon. Simultaneously, space exploration reached new heights with the Apollo moon landings.

Some other aspects of daily life which was far better than today :

• Kids hung out more, spent more time together. There were no personal computers and videogames. The kids were physically fit, mentally sharp, less dependent, more socially comfortable, more well-read. Leisures were TV, going movies, cable connection was cheaper.
• Higher employment rates, no cellphones, less relied on cars.
• The citizens were more assertive, polite, civilized, happier, more creative, fun-loving and disciplined.
• Cooler cars, cheaper gasolines, significant lesser crimes and a narrow gap of rich & poor.
• The general breakfast was bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes etc.; lunch was sandwich; dinner was usually meat, bread toast etc.
• Birthdays were celebrated with family, plainly with cake and ice creams.

Policing of the Era :

•  Back in 1970s, the US police department reports were filled out in triplicate (carbon paper) using a #2 pencil.
• There were no cell phones or internet access for most people. Police relied on radio communication and landline phones for coordination. Only had VHF radio with the 6-foot antenna. 
• Police equipment consisted of a Baton, revolver, cuffs, 6D flashlight, buck knife and pen. A few cops carried Mace spray.
• Reports written on manual typewriters; computer was a single teletype connected to the State Capital. File checks took from 15 minutes to never.
• No Black officers and only a couple of “policewomen", they became “officers” latter. 
• Drunk driving was not as socially unacceptable. Blood levels in the .15 to .25 were very common.
• No seatbelt law, child seat law, accidents much more serious. Ambulance was pretty much transport only. Paramedics didn't exist.
• Working shifts were rotating. One week of afternoon, then days then Midnight's. No overtime, reports done at end of shift.
• There were no computers in the car. The police cars had a police radio, a shotgun rack, an electronic siren, and 2 silver push-pull knobs in the place where the AM-FM radio would have been in a regular car. The knobs were connected to the overhead light bar and the white “alley lights” that projected to each side. It was difficult to see the position of the knobs, so now and then you would see an officer driving around with his overheads on (in daytime) when he forgot to turn them off after a stop. They carried reports and traffic/ criminal law books in wooden crates in their cars.
• There were no latex/nitrile gloves. Most of cops had leather gloves.

Thank you for Reading !!