These were the ultimate must-have items from the 1960s

The most popular items from the decade

The 1960s gave us The Beatles, mini skirts, and Woodstock, as well as, for many people, a sizable disposable income. 

Read on to see the most iconic items everyone was splashing the cash on, from must-have toys to game-changing kitchen appliances. 

Braun T3

Look familiar? Masterfully designed by Dieter Rams, this pocket transistor radio from Braun is thought to be the inspiration behind Apple's iPod – they do look uncannily alike, after all. Launched in 1958, the minimalist radio sold like hot cakes throughout the 60s.

Yardley Oh! de London

Targeting city-dwelling youngsters, Yardley launched this super-popular perfume in 1962. A must for hip and happening young ladies, the best-selling fragrance boasted an ad campaign fronted by British model of the moment Jean Shrimpton. The scent is still produced today under the Tuvaché brand name.

Remington Lektronic

Remington introduced the world's first cordless rechargeable shaver in 1960. The pioneering firm launched the Lektronic to much fanfare and men were only too eager to snap up the company's convenient, ultra-portable invention, which enjoyed buoyant sales throughout the decade.

Sony Triniton KV-1210

The first truly "modern" color TV, Sony introduced the Triniton KV-1210 in 1968. The original 12-inch model outclassed the competition in terms of picture quality and ease of use and was an instant success. Sony went on to sell 100 million Triniton TVs before the company ditched the brand in 2008.

Kodak Instamatic 104

The Instamatic series was Kodak's most lucrative line – a staggering 60 million units were shifted during the 60s and 70s. The Instamatic 104, which hit the stores in 1963, was 'snapped' up by photographers. The camera retailed for $20 at the time, around $165 in today's money.

Sunbeam Mixmaster

KitchenAid’s classic stand mixer might be the more memorable model, yet Sunbeam’s Mixmaster was actually the best-selling mixer of the decade – at least in North America, Australia and New Zealand. Though Sunbeam has lost the bulk of its market share, the firm still produces a range of quality mixers. In 1998, the US Postal Service even created a stamp to honor the Sunbeam Mixmaster as one of the greatest inventions.

Pifco Princess

If you remember the extravagant bouffant hairdos of the 60s, you'll almost certainly remember some of the extreme lengths women went to to get them. This bizarre-looking caption was the answer: a hairdryer complete with a tube and hood attachment, it allowed women to 'set' their hairstyles just so.

Black & Decker U-100

Dubbed 'the power tool with 1,000 uses', Black & Decker's U-100 1/4” drill sold in great numbers during the 60s as the home improvement craze was taking off and flat-pack or 'knock-down' furniture was becoming popular.

West Bend Flavo-matic

Drip brew machines weren't invented until the 70s, so if you were fond of coffee during the 60s it's likely you would have owned a percolator, especially if you lived in North America. West Bend's Flavo-matic was one of the most popular models of the era.

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Chinese Girl by Vladimir Tretchikoff

Along with the unnerving Crying Boy picture by Giovanni Bragolin, this kitsch painting from 1952 graced the walls of countless homes worldwide during the 60s. Prints of the Chinese Girl by Vladimir Tretchikoff sold in their millions, making it one of the best-selling prints of the 20th century. The original fetched $1.2 million at auction in 2013.

Barbie

The number one doll of the decade, Mattel's Barbie sold by the truckload during the 60s. Barbie's looks and outfits reflected the fashions of the time, with dolls sporting everything from chic Jackie O-style suits to hip Mod-inspired threads. Today, Barbie has come a long way, with one original 1959 doll selling for an astonishing $26,173 at auction in 2017.

Troll Dolls

The first Troll was designed by Danish woodcutter Thomas Dam in 1959. The wild-haired dolls were launched in Europe in the early 60s and the US in 1963, sparking a major craze. Thanks to the release of the Trolls movie in 2016, the revamped dolls, which are now produced by Hasbro, are becoming popular once again.

Hoover Dial-A-Matic

A brand name so popular that in the UK it's become synonymous with the appliance itself, the Hoover Dial-A-Matic was the quintessential vacuum cleaner of the decade. Launched in 1963, the model was the world's first clean-air upright vacuum cleaner.

Western Electric Model 500

Famed for its distinctive circular ringer and virtual indestructibility, the Western Electric 500 was the standard phone issued by the Bell System and a feature of most American homes during the 60s, up until 1984 when the Bell System was disbanded.

Uncle Milton's Ant Farm

Kids who grew up in 60s America will undoubtedly remember Uncle Milton's Ant Farm. The formicarium, which is still produced today, was heavily promoted in comics and magazines and went on to shift a whopping 20 million units.

General Electric Automatic Toothbrush

Although the electric toothbrush was invented in 1954, it didn't gain mass popularity in the US until General Electric launched its version in the early 60s. Not too dissimilar to electric brushes you can buy today, the GE Model was cordless and rechargeable.

Chatty Cathy

The second most popular doll of the 60s in North America after Barbie, Chatty Cathy was a pull-string doll that would utter any one of eleven phrases when her cord was tugged – which, by many kids, was every five minutes. Launched in 1959, the doll was a sensation in the US and Canada, and remained in production intermittently until 2001, when it was discontinued. Cue a sigh of relief from aggravated parents everywhere.

Etch-a-Sketch

The real question is, could anyone actually draw anything decent on these? Invented by French toymaker André Cassagnes in the late 50s, Etch-a-Sketch was acquired by the Ohio Art Company and launched in the US market in 1960, priced at $2.99, around $25 in today's money. The fun yet infuriating art toy was a huge success, selling in the millions, and it's still going strong today.

Phillips EL 3300

The world's first cassette tape recorder, the Phillips E3300 was launched in 1963. It’s often seen as the precursor to the Walkman and, with its microphone and portable design, it was a ‘reel’ innovation, gaining in popularity throughout the 60s.

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Must-have products your parents splashed their cash on