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From cassette tapes to ghetto blasters these 1980s memes will baffle millennials

Author

Rachel Newton

Updated on March 16, 2026

IT might be hard to imagine now, but there was once a time when people didn’t routinely take photos of avocados on toast.

It was the 1980s, brunch was yet to be invented and social media hadn’t swallowed all of our attention.

In an era before social media you had to leave your phone off the hook if you didn't want to be contacted

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In an era before social media you had to leave your phone off the hook if you didn't want to be contactedCredit: Splitpics.uk

And for the young people of today it seems like an entirely bygone era.

Now internet wags have highlighted the differences between then and now in a string of hilarious memes aimed at millennials.

They learn the way to block people then was to leave your phone off the hook and are confronted with such exotic items as cassette tapes and ghetto blasters.

What a time to be alive.

Life Cycle

A collection of discarded bikes was the surest sign of knowing whose house your pals were playing at

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A collection of discarded bikes was the surest sign of knowing whose house your pals were playing atCredit: Splitpics.uk

Master Blaster

Technology has shrunk in a dramatic fashion since the 1980s

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Technology has shrunk in a dramatic fashion since the 1980sCredit: Splitpics.uk

Ringing The Changes

This alarm clock radio was a staple on many a bedside table

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This alarm clock radio was a staple on many a bedside tableCredit: Splitpics.uk

Slice Of The Action

A trip to the video store, a pizza, some popcorn and a game of Nintendo were Friday night rituals for many kids

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A trip to the video store, a pizza, some popcorn and a game of Nintendo were Friday night rituals for many kidsCredit: Splitpics.uk

Knight And Day

David Hasselhoff dominated the 1980s with his crime-fighting talking car Kit

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David Hasselhoff dominated the 1980s with his crime-fighting talking car KitCredit: Splitpics.uk

In A Spin

These merry-go-rounds were to be found in many public parks - and could reach an impressive speed

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These merry-go-rounds were to be found in many public parks - and could reach an impressive speedCredit: Splitpics.uk

King Of The Swingers

These garden swings had a terrifying habit of raising off the ground if you swung with sufficient force

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These garden swings had a terrifying habit of raising off the ground if you swung with sufficient force

Thirsty Work

This tuppaware jug with its own lid could be found around many dinner table of the era

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This tuppaware jug with its own lid could be found around many dinner table of the eraCredit: Splitpics.uk

The Write Stuff

Before the SMS era a hand-written note had to suffice

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Before the SMS era a hand-written note had to sufficeCredit: Splitpics.uk

Great Tapes

Before digital downloads cassette tapes featured albums and paper inserts with their lyrics

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Before digital downloads cassette tapes featured albums and paper inserts with their lyricsCredit: Splitpics.uk

Winning Tape

A biro was an essential tool to wind your tape up if it became unspooled

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A biro was an essential tool to wind your tape up if it became unspooledCredit: Splitpics.uk

Going For A Song

This Eighties kids' toy played nursery rhymes

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This Eighties kids' toy played nursery rhymesCredit: Splitpics.uk

Re-dressing The Balance

Children's fashion in the Eighties left a little to be desired

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Children's fashion in the Eighties left a little to be desiredCredit: Splitpics.uk

Boom Times

Boom boxes like these were perfect for annoying neighbours and passers-by

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Boom boxes like these were perfect for annoying neighbours and passers-byCredit: Splitpics.uk

Stick To It

Eighties classrooms often featured this glue that covered your fingers in a white film

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Eighties classrooms often featured this glue that covered your fingers in a white filmCredit: Splitpics.uk

In A Spin

Before fidget spinners kids in the Eighties had to resort to nature for entertainment

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Before fidget spinners kids in the Eighties had to resort to nature for entertainmentCredit: Splitpics.uk

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