1970s Photos Capture Political, Cultural, Tech Shifts

Photographs and retrospectives centered on the 1970s — especially 1979 — capture a world in political and cultural transition. They document major political crises and milestones such as Three Mile Island, the Iran hostage crisis, SALT II and Margaret Thatcher’s rise, alongside cultural touchstones like the Walkman, production moments from Star Wars and films such as Apocalypse Now. Everyday life and style are shown through fashion and toys — bell-bottoms, feathered hair, Big Wheel tricycles, Stretch Armstrong and Simon — and household items like waterbeds, Tab soda, mood rings and Wacky Packs. Images of computing and consumer electronics trace the shift from room-sized machines and typewriters to desktop PCs that foreshadowed today’s smartphones and cloud services. Automotive photos highlight Toyota’s emergence in the U.S. market with models such as the Celica, FJ40, Corolla SR5 and the compact Pickup/Hilux.