The 1990s were a time of bold fashion, quirky gadgets, and unforgettable pop-culture moments. While we reminisce about iconic TV shows and game-changing tech, there’s a whole world of everyday objects that are often overlooked. From the pager to virtual pets, these objects were a staple in daily life. Not only did these objects shape the way we connected, but also the way we entertained ourselves. We hope you’re ready to travel back to the ’90s because here are 25 forgotten objects we used to love.
1. Bubble Tape.
If you say you didn’t love these you’re a liar. It would seemingly supply gum forever, but would abruptly stop resulting in one sad kid. You can still buy these, but they used to be in every corner store and every concession stand.
2. VCRs.
The ability to record a show that played while you were away was revolutionary. We take it for granted, being able to just scroll to our favorite TV show and resume right where we left off.
3. Flip Phones.
Only the coolest people left still have flip phones. A once treasured and revolutionary item has become the bottom of the barrel on the list of telephones.
If you had a flip phone, make sure to follow us!
4. Zig-Zag Headbands.
This colorful and stylish accessory was a must-have in the 90s. Now you rarely see people wearing them.
5. CD Walkman.
The CD Walkman allowed us to take our favorite music on the go. Before streaming and smartphones, this portable device was a necessity for the music-lovers.
6. Tall Speakers.
We all have an uncle who still has the massive ’90s speakers and claims they’re worth a fortune. Even though a beats pill has the same quality as those speakers now.
7. The Rolodex.
Before contact lists on smartphones, this was the way to keep track of people’s numbers and emails. It must have been treacherous to search for names in here.
8. Pagers.
Before phones, pagers were the way to get in touch with someone when you weren’t at home. The beep would notify you of an incoming message or phone number, and you’d find a payphone to call them back.
9. Game Boys.
The original Game Boy came out in 1989, but the legendary Game Boy Color was released soon after. This hand-held gaming console was a staple for gamers on the go, with classics like Pokemon and The Legend of Zelda.
10. Floppy Disks.
Floppy Disks was once the primary way to store and transfer data. It was often used to back up projects or games. These bad boys had very little storage capacity compared to modern flash drives, but they were essential in the ’90s.
11. Cassette Recorders.
Cassette Recorders were a staple in the ’90s. This device allowed the user to record music and messages, and even mix their own audio tapes. Nothing like giving your high-school crush a romantic love track.
12. MiniDisc Players.
The MiniDisc player was an attempt to replace CDs. They were a more compact and durable format, offering superior sound quality. Sadly it didn’t gain popularity before MP3 players.
13. Dial-up Modems.
Dial-up Modems were our gateway into the internet in the 1990s. These connected your computer to the web, but it required serious patience, as the dial-up sound was horrific. Let’s not forget the agony of someone picking up a phone in the middle of your session.
14. Furby.
This robotic interactive toy talked and responded to touch. Its beady eyes and twitching ears made it both adorable and a little bit creepy.
15. Slap Bracelets.
Slap Bracelets were metal strips covered in colorful fabric that could be slapped against your wrist to curl into a bracelet shape. They were fun to wear and collect, and they were one of the most memorable accessories of the ’90s.
16. Rollerblades.
While rollerblades are still popular among some, they were a wild must-have among teens in the ’90s. Every household in town had a pair.
17. Polaroid Cameras.
People still use these for the aesthetic, but the idea of instant photography was state-of-the-art in the 1990s.
18. Talkboys.
Made famous by Home Alone, the Talkboy was a handheld cassette recorder that allowed kids to play and record audio. This toy was the staple for pranks and voice manipulations.
19. GigaPets.
Similar to the legendary Tamagotchi, GigaPets was another virtual pet that allowed kids to take care of a virtual animal. They were marketed as a more interactive version of Tamagotchis, offering features like multiple animals.
20. VHS Tapes
VHS tapes were the standard format for watching movies and TV shows at home in the ’90s and early 2000s. Renting one of these from Blockbuster was a weekend ritual.
21. Yo-Yos.
While the yo-yo has been around for centuries, it had a major resurgence in the ’90s thanks to the popularity of the Yo-Yo World competitions. Brightly colored plastic yo-yos filled toy stores everywhere.
22. Troll Dolls.
Oh troll dolls, with your colorful, spiky hair and wide-eyed expressions, were a toy from the ’90s. These quirky dolls were thought you bring good luck.
23. Mood Rings
Mood Rings supposedly change color based on the wearer’s emotional state. Made with thermochromic elements, they became a popular trend among teens who loved to see how they were feeling.
24. Fruit Gels.
Squeeze fruit jelly was marketed as a convenient, no-mess option for kids’ lunches in the ’90s. The bottle had a cap that made it easy to spread jelly without the usual mess.
25. Tic-Tac-Toe Boards.
Tic-tac-toe boards were everywhere in the ’90s. From coffee shops to playgrounds, these things were everywhere. Now everyone knows how to play tic-tac-toe.
