American families once gathered every week for a common household chore – burning their trash. The EPA reports that 85% of suburban households regularly burned everything from newspapers to plastic containers in backyard incinerators. Neighbors even coordinated their burning schedules to manage smoke coverage. Communities viewed this as the most practical solution for waste management – this is one of the practices from the 1960s that are no longer allowed. We also have iconic toys from the 1960s that shaped generations.
Looking back at daily life in 1960s America reveals a startling array of common practices that would be unthinkable – and in many cases illegal – in today’s world. Let’s explore these once-routine activities that would spark public outrage and legal consequences if attempted now.
20. Smoking On Airplanes
Airlines actively encouraged passengers to smoke during flights in the 1960s. Every airplane seat featured an ashtray, and flight attendants distributed complimentary cigarettes on many routes. The enclosed cabin space filled with smoke as passengers lit up freely throughout flights, creating a hazy atmosphere from takeoff to landing. Tobacco companies even partnered with airlines to promote their brands through special in-flight cigarette sales.
19. Dumping Garbage In Rivers And Lakes
The practice of dumping household and industrial waste into America’s waterways reached critical levels in the 1960s. Major rivers like the Hudson carried an estimated 170 million gallons of waste daily. Communities viewed rivers and lakes as convenient disposal sites for everything from old appliances to chemical waste. Local governments often encouraged this practice as an economic waste management solution.
18. Burning Trash In The Backyard
Burning household trash in backyard incinerators represented a common weekly chore for American families. People disposed of everything from paper products to plastic containers through these burning sessions. The EPA estimates that over 85% of suburban households regularly burned trash in their yards during the 1960s. Neighbors coordinated their burning schedules to minimize smoke coverage in residential areas.
17. Unfiltered Cigarette Ads On TV
Television networks aired cigarette commercials during prime-time viewing hours without content restrictions. Popular shows featured tobacco advertisements that portrayed smoking as sophisticated and healthy. Networks earned over $300 million annually from cigarette advertising revenue in the early 1960s. Characters in commercials often included doctors and athletes promoting various cigarette brands.
16. Using Mercury Thermometers And Toys
Mercury appeared in common household items throughout the 1960s, from thermometers to children’s chemistry sets. Toy manufacturers incorporated mercury into novelty items like maze games and educational science kits. The average American home contained up to seven mercury-containing devices. Parents often replaced broken mercury thermometers without special handling precautions.
15. No Speed Limits On Rural Roads
American rural highways operated without defined speed restrictions throughout much of the 1960s. Local authorities allowed drivers to determine “reasonable and proper” speeds based on road conditions. Rural communities viewed speed limits as unnecessary government intervention in daily transportation. Drivers often tested their vehicles’ capabilities on these unrestricted stretches of road, particularly on newly constructed highways.
14. Selling Candy Cigarettes For Kids
Candy manufacturers openly marketed cigarette-shaped sweets to children through colorful displays and familiar tobacco branding. Studies showed that 9 out of 10 children regularly purchased these candy cigarettes during the 1960s. Corner stores positioned these treats at child eye-level, often next to actual cigarette displays. The candies came complete with realistic packaging and red-painted tips that mimicked lit cigarettes.
13. Unsupervised Trick-Or-Treating
Children roamed neighborhoods freely during Halloween, often traveling miles from home without adult supervision. The average trick-or-treating group in 1960 covered 3.5 miles of residential streets. Parents encouraged independence during these evening adventures, expecting children home when streetlights came on. Communities considered this annual tradition a natural part of childhood development.
12. Lead Gasoline At Every Pump
Service stations exclusively offered leaded gasoline, marketing it as a superior fuel choice for automobile performance. The average gallon of gasoline contained 2-4 grams of lead during the 1960s. Car manufacturers designed engines specifically to run on leaded fuel, promoting its benefits in owner’s manuals. Mechanics recommended high-octane leaded gas for optimal engine protection.
11. Parents Smoking Around Kids
Parents commonly smoked inside homes, cars, and around children without concern for secondary exposure. Surveys indicated that 68% of American parents smoked regularly in enclosed spaces with children present. Family doctors rarely discussed the impacts of secondhand smoke on child health. Ash trays appeared in every room of typical American homes.
10. Corporal Punishment At Home And School
Physical punishment represented a standard disciplinary tool in American schools during the 1960s. Studies show that over 90% of schools permitted paddling as an approved correction method. Teachers and administrators maintained authority through corporal punishment without parental notification requirements. Students expected physical consequences for behavioral infractions as part of the normal school experience.
9. Schoolyard Games With Dangerous Equipment
School playgrounds featured metal equipment installed over concrete or packed dirt surfaces. The average playground height reached 12 feet for popular attractions like monkey bars and slides. Children played on steel merry-go-rounds that spun at unrestricted speeds. Equipment manufacturers focused on durability rather than safety features in their designs.
8. Swimming In Unregulated Public Pools
Community pools operated without modern safety standards or water quality regulations. Local pools often recycled water monthly rather than daily, relying on basic chlorination methods. Pool managers maintained minimal oversight of swimming activities and safety protocols. Families enjoyed extended hours at these facilities without required lifeguard supervision.
7. Advertising Alcohol During Family TV Shows
Television networks broadcast alcohol commercials during family programming hours, including cartoon blocks. Beer companies spent $45 million annually on prime-time advertising campaigns. Animated characters promoted various alcohol brands through catchy jingles and colorful presentations. Families viewed these advertisements as normal entertainment components during evening television.
6. Openly Hunting And Fishing Without Licenses
Hunters and fishermen pursued their sports with minimal oversight or licensing requirements. Less than 30% of states required hunting licenses for small game harvesting. Communities viewed unrestricted hunting and fishing as fundamental rights rather than regulated activities. Local authorities rarely enforced existing wildlife management guidelines.
5. Driving Without Car Seats For Kids
Families traveled with children unrestrained in vehicles, often allowing them to move freely throughout the car. Studies showed that 95% of American children rode without any safety restraints during car trips in the 1960s. Parents commonly placed infants in bassinets on the back seat or held them while driving. Station wagons featured rear-facing seats where children played games during long trips.
4. Using Lawn Darts
Families enjoyed lawn darts as a common backyard game, treating the heavy metal projectiles as standard outdoor entertainment. Each dart weighed approximately one pound and featured a sharp metal tip for accuracy. Children participated in lawn dart competitions at neighborhood gatherings and summer picnics. Parents stored these games alongside other outdoor recreational equipment without special safety precautions.
3. Widespread Use Of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Chlorofluorocarbons appeared in everyday household products from hairsprays to refrigerators. The average American household used 5-7 aerosol products containing CFCs daily. Manufacturers promoted these chemicals as modern conveniences that made life easier. Consumers embraced CFC products for their effectiveness and ease of use.
2. Hospital Ashtrays And Smoking Rooms
Hospitals provided ashtrays in patient rooms and waiting areas as standard amenities. Medical facilities maintained designated smoking lounges on every floor, including maternity wards. Doctors often smoked during patient consultations and medical procedures. Visitors expected to smoke freely throughout hospital facilities during extended stays.
1. Regularly Drinking Unfiltered Tap Water
Communities consumed tap water without modern filtration or testing requirements. Municipal water systems tested for only 7 contaminants compared to today’s 91 regulated substances. Local water treatment facilities operated without federal oversight or quality standards. Families drank directly from outdoor spigots and garden hoses without health concerns.
