Generation X is the overlooked “middle child” in the family of generations. Raised between the analog and digital worlds, Gen Xers grew up in a time of great cultural and technological changes. Here are 18 items that instantly transport any Gen Xer back to their youth.
VHS Tapes
Long before Netflix and chill, there were VHS movie nights. These bulky tapes filled the living room shelves of any movie buff. If they were rented from the video store, you had the pain of the previous renter not rewinding the VHS and having to wait to watch the movie. The sound of the tape rewinding is something many Gen Xers won't forget.
Walkman
Sony’s Walkman revolutionized how people listened to music. Portable and personal, it allowed Gen Xers to take their music wherever they went, from Madonna to Michael Jackson, all on a cassette. For teenagers in the 1980s, they were the ultimate fashion accessory, and having one meant you were one of the cool kids.
Mixtapes
Creating a mixtape was an art form, a collection of music that took time and skill to record from the radio. They represented your taste in music and you were even more popular if you could find some of the more obscure songs of the time. Each mixtape was a labor of love, given to friends or a crush as a personal gift.
MTV
“Music Television” was once the center of music and youth culture, with Gen Xers tuning in to catch the latest music videos, VJs, and shows like “Total Request Live.” It was a cultural icon that defined an era and friends would watch it late into the night at sleepovers. MTVs relative demise is lamented by those who grew up with it constantly on their televisions.
Dial-Up Internet
The unforgettable sound of a dial-up modem connecting to the Internet is embedded in the memory of every Gen Xer. This was the sound of entering the new frontier of the World Wide Web, despite the slow speeds and frequent disconnections. The internet now plays a part in every aspect of our lives, so it’s difficult to understand how exciting it was for those of us who were there at the beginning.
Floppy Disks
These 3.5-inch disks were the main way of storing and sharing files, from schoolwork to games. The frustration of needing multiple disks for a single program is something many remember well. For some games, you needed upwards of 20 floppy disks to install it onto your desktop computer.
Rotary Phones
The rotary phone, with its circular dial and mechanical ring, was a fixture in most homes. The slow, deliberate act of dialing each number meant that making a phone call was a slow process. For those born after Gen X they probably have no idea how to even use one.
Atari
The Atari Video Computer System was one of the first gaming consoles, bringing video games like “Asteroids” and “Centipede” into the living room. It brought the arcade into the home and was a revolutionary piece of technology. Home gaming became affordable, and there was no need to save up quarters for arcade machines.
Neon Clothing
The fashion of the '80s was loud, with neon colors visible on every street. Bright pink, green, and yellow outfits were the trend, worn proudly by Gen Xers everywhere. Most will look back with a mixture of fondness and cringe as they remember how we all walked about like neon signs.
The Breakfast Club
This 1985 film by John Hughes was a social commentary that resonated with the youth of the time. It's a portrayal of different high school groups and how they were forced together on a Saturday morning detention. Those who went to school at the time all found someone they could relate to in the movie and recognizing the need to be understood we all had.
Trapper Keepers
These were more than just folders that kept your work neat and tidy; they also held all of your secrets and school-day doodles. School children across America carefully selected them as it was an extension of you, and you didn’t want to have one that wasn’t cool.
Crystal Pepsi
This clear cola was marketed as a pure, caffeine-free alternative to regular cola. Its novelty was a hit at first, but its popularity was short-lived. Crystal Pepsi tasted bland and lacked that familiar refreshing hit you get from cola. Also, it was clear, and Pepsi shouldn’t look like water.
Smells Like Teen Spirit
This Nirvana song captured the spirit of the '90s grunge scene and became an anthem for many in Generation X. Its gritty sound and rebellious lyrics spoke to a generation looking for music they could relate to. The '80s and '90s were times of great social change, and the song expressed the confusion and angst that young people felt at the time.
The Rachel Haircut
Inspired by Jennifer Aniston’s character on “Friends,” this hairstyle became synonymous with '90s fashion. Those in their early to mid-20s all flocked to hairdressers across the country to imitate their favorite television character.
Caboodles
These plastic cases were a must-have for teenage girls to keep and organize their makeup. Brightly colored, they were a symbol of how much makeup you had and were the envy of your peers.
Pog
Part game, part collectible, Pogs were small cardboard discs that were stacked and slammed with a heavier “slammer.” The game was simple, yet it became a playground phenomenon. They were traded, and the larger your collection, the more popular you were. It’s hard to explain to those who grew up surrounded by digital technology how much fun was had with pieces of cardboard.
Grunge Fashion
Characterized by flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and a disheveled look, grunge fashion was about comfort and anti-conformity. It went hand in hand with the music of the early '90s and a whole generation of teenagers and those in their twenties dressed to show their apathy towards society.
Tamagotchi
These digital pets required feeding, play, and care. It’s hard to overstate the craze caused by these simple but addicting egg-shaped devices. The constant beeping of a Tamagotchi needing attention was a familiar sound to Gen Xers. Forgetting to take care of your pet and seeing it die was emotional torture.
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