Photos Of 1980s Stuff That Sure Seems Weird Now

Alien-approved candy that became an instant pop culture hit after E.T.’s snack endorsement in 1982.

Cone-shaped lollipop that doubled as a finger-poking hazard, making candy both fun and slightly dangerous.

Tiny aluminum ashtrays capturing a smoky, retro vibe now unimaginable in today’s smoke-free restaurants.

Disposable drinkware that screamed 1980s excess, clashing with modern paper cup nostalgia.

Plastic coffin filled with PEZ-like candy that doubled as a miniature treasure chest for change and sugar.

Trading cards parodying products with absurd humor, making consumerism feel delightfully ridiculous.

Sour powder with edible sticks that made every snack time a tart science experiment of taste.

Cotton-candy style gum mimicking chewing tobacco, letting kids feel rebellious without ruining their teeth.

Explosive candy that made mouths tingle, soda erupt, and kids everywhere question the laws of physics.

Gum sticks letting kids pretend to smoke, embodying everything hilarious and wrong about 1980s trends.

Plastic castles, schools, and tiny vehicles were the ultimate childhood tools for imaginative domination.

A TV production memory of Gary David Goldberg’s shows that made bedtime simultaneously confusing and comforting.

Handheld electronic wizard that made quiet, nerdy kids feel like strategic geniuses with every button press.

Loud, shoulder-mounted stereo systems that turned sidewalks and schoolyards into impromptu dance battles with every mixtape.

The ultimate hip accessory to stash beepers, fake IDs, and leftover candy while keeping hands free for adventure.

Colorful, coordinated, and fashionable wrist candy that lets everyone match outfits while ignoring actual timekeeping.

Hefty skates that clamped to shoes, required a key, and turned every driveway into a minor injury zone.

That clunky device that stamped your plastic, producing an unforgettable sound like a mini guillotine at checkout.

The “remote” that tethered you to your couch and guaranteed at least two trips over the cord every evening.

Bulky music cartridges looping endlessly in cars, turning every highway ride into a slightly offbeat concert experience.

Instant photography magic requiring a shake that made every snapshot feel like a tiny personal miracle.

The portable cassette player that made jogging, rollerblading, and jazzercise a hands-free mixtape experience for everyone.

Primitive handheld football game where red lines represented players, proving the 80s loved sports and simplicity simultaneously.

A powerful but notoriously incompatible PC sold by Radio Shack, making every nerd feel both cool and frustrated.

The original video game console that brought joystick blisters and pixelated adventures straight to your living room.