40 New Things That Weren’t Around 4 Decades Ago

We take technology for granted nowadays, yet it wasn’t that long ago when we couldn’t imagine our lives without it. 

Selfies have been around forever, but never has it been so easy to take hundreds of self-portraits. With smartphones in everyone’s pocket, it’s now easier than ever to take a picture of yourself, wherever and whenever you want. 

Say goodbye to stressful mornings! Ready-to-eat sandwiches are here to make life easier for your parents. These thaw-and-eat sandwiches were introduced in 2000, offering a delicious and convenient way to prepare a lunchbox or lunch bag. 

Gone are the days when kids could only dream of snacking on something as delicious as applesauce. Thanks to the revolutionary changes of the ’70s, children are now able to enjoy a variety of pureed fruits and vegetables – a mouth-watering snack that their parents could only have imagined in their wildest dreams! 

Say Goodbye to Unpleasant Odors with Febreze! The revolutionary odor eliminator was introduced in 1998 and since then it has been nothing short of a miracle for those who want to get rid of unpleasant odors. 

Say goodbye to those heavy mops and buckets of water, and say hello to the revolutionary Swiffer! In 1999, the Swiffer was introduced, and it changed the way we clean floors forever. 

Modern parenting is made easier with the invention of diaper disposal systems. No longer do we have to worry about unpleasant odors filling the nursery, as these systems keep dirty diapers locked away, out of sight and out of smell. 

Fidgeting has been around since the dawn of time, but now it has been revolutionized with the introduction of fidget spinners. These nifty gadgets allow you to express your excess energy in a fun and creative way and drive your teachers and parents up the wall! 

Do you want to unleash the inner princess in you? Then you will want to head to the Disney Store! Since 1987, their famous Disney princess dresses have been making their mark in malls everywhere. From Cinderella to Snow White, these dresses make it possible to bring your favorite Disney character to life. 

The wonders of modern technology have brought us many exciting things, such as unboxing videos, but the latest craze is the “Disney Reveal.” This is where parents get to surprise their kids with the news that they are going on a Disney vacation and capture their priceless reactions on camera. 

Chipotle came into our lives nearly three decades ago and revolutionized the way we enjoy our meals. When it first arrived, there were a few kid-friendly restaurant chains and fast-food options, but Chipotle was something entirely new – it let us turn lunch or dinner into an exciting choose-your-own-adventure of burritos or tacos! 

Once upon a time, getting your hands stuck in a cake was not seen as something to be celebrated. Not in your day! What a difference a few decades make. Nowadays, ‘smash cake’ photo shoots have become the new trend for celebrating special occasions. 

Gone are the days of lunch boxes made from simple plastic. Now, kids are carrying the latest and greatest in lunch containers: the bento box! These durable and stylish bento boxes can be found just about anywhere, and they make packing lunch an exciting adventure. 

Gone are the days of lugging around heavy encyclopedias for school reports. Modern kids are fortunate to have access to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia founded in 2001. With a few clicks of the mouse, they can get a wealth of information on any given topic. 

Gym class and recess were once enough for kids to stay fit, but what about now? With the Garmin vivofit JR., kids can track their daily activity and get the physical activity they need. This fitness tracker allows kids to set step goals and monitor their progress. 

Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate with our family and friends, no matter where in the world they may be. Skype and Google Hangouts allow us to have face-to-face conversations as if we were in the same room. 

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the MP3, patented in Germany in 1989. Without it, modern streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, and Amazon Music could not exist. Think back to the days of Napster in 1999, when downloading music was the only way to access it. 

Discover a galaxy far, far away without ever leaving your home! With the latest advancements in technology, you can now control your very own BB-8 droid using only your smartphone. Star Wars fans everywhere can now enjoy their favorite characters in a whole new way. 

Gone are the days of waiting a week for the next episode of our favourite show, or waiting for a movie to be released at Blockbuster. Thanks to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, we can now watch whatever we want, whenever we want. 

Gone are the days when a coat of Coppertone was your only line of defense against the sun’s powerful rays. Nowadays, modern-day parents go above and beyond to protect their little ones. They invest in pop-up tents, UV-blocker clothes, and hats with wide brims. 

Ready to step up your hair game? Look no further! Today, there are plenty of options to experiment with wild hair colors without the commitment of permanent dye. From vibrant purples to electric blues, you can now express yourself with bold, statement-making hues. 

Say goodbye to the old-fashioned uniforms of Santa’s elves! Since 2005, they’ve been able to get their hands on the latest trends and stay up-to-date. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a change of pace, these on-trend little outfits will give them a fresh look and a much-needed boost of confidence. 

Gone are the days of metal braces! If you’re looking for an easier, more comfortable teeth straightening option, Invisalign is the answer. This revolutionary clear aligner system has been helping people since 1999 and is now the go-to choice for teens and preteens who want to improve their smiles without sacrificing their style. 

Are you a fan of building towers with your LEGO blocks? Well, get ready to take your creations to the next level! Thanks to Cubroid coding blocks, a Kickstarter-funded project, kids can now power up their various creations with ease. 

Are you looking for a modern movie experience? Look no further than the theaters of today! From the indie favorite Alamo Drafthouse to the luxurious iPic theaters and AMC Dine-In, you can kick back in reclining chairs, enjoy food and cocktails, and have a unique movie-going experience. 

The playgrounds of our youth may have been a little precarious, with their hot metal slides, rickety seesaws, and jungle gyms, but the playgrounds of today are a far cry from that! 

Do you ever feel anxious while learning? Many schools are now introducing a delightful way to help ease those worries – therapy dogs! From reading to playing fetch, these furry friends provide a comforting presence while students take on challenging tasks. 

Are you expecting a baby? Then why not make the gender reveal an unforgettable experience for you and your loved ones? A gender reveal cake is the perfect way to make the big announcement! 

Have you ever wondered how we used to shop before the advent of Costco? The store offers everything from a gallon of fine olive oil, to designer shoes, to hot dog lunches under $2, all in one place. Costco has been our favorite since it opened its doors in 1983. 

It all started with Sesame Street’s lovable toddler in 1984. Little did the world know that in 1996, the iconic toy, Tickle Me Elmo, would take the world by storm! This revolutionary toy was the first of its kind and set records for the highest selling toy of the year. 

Life before Google was a world of limited knowledge. We relied on books and word of mouth to find the answers to our questions. We trusted outdated information and struggled to make sense of the world around us. 

In 1997, Hero Nutritionals revolutionized the vitamin market with their candy-inspired gummies. No longer did kids have to suffer through the taste of chalky tablets or bitter liquids to get their daily dose of vitamins. 

For those who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, it’s hard to imagine the fast food landscape without the iconic McNugget. In 1983, McDonald’s revolutionized the fast food industry by introducing the tasty, bite-sized chicken pieces that we all know and love today. 

In 1996, the world of gaming was taken to a whole new level with the release of the revolutionary Nintendo64. It sparked a wave of excitement and wonder as gamers got their hands on the console for its then-amazing graphics. 

The pharmaceutical industry experienced tremendous advances during the ’80s and ’90s, one of the most notable being the introduction of Prozac in 1987. The development of this revolutionary antidepressant was a true game-changer, revolutionizing the way depression was treated and providing hope to millions of people around the world. 

The Space Shuttle Program was a pivotal moment in the history of space exploration. Announced by President Nixon in 1972, the program was a source of immense pride and anticipation for the American people. 

Text messaging has come a long way since its inception. Believe it or not, the concept of text messaging was first explored in 1984, and the first message was sent in 1992. Today, text messaging is a vital part of our daily lives, with over 7.5 trillion messages sent per year. 

The history of contact lenses dates back to 1887 when the first pair was invented. Since then, there have been many modifications to the product that have allowed us to enjoy improved comfort and convenience. One of the most significant developments was the introduction of disposable contacts in 1987 – a full century later. 

Kids’ furniture has come a long way since the days of your childhood! The brands PB Kids (1998) and The Land of Nod (1996) revolutionized the industry by introducing trendier designs that were more design-savvy than anything else available. 

It’s hard to believe that Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have all been around for less than two decades! In 2004, Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook, and in the following two years, Twitter and Instagram were created, transforming our daily lives. 

GPS- Global Positioning System- has come a long way! From being a technology exclusive to the military and government, it is now an integral part of cars, phones and even fitness watches. Online mapping services like Google Maps and MapQuest were revolutionary, making navigation much easier.