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We don’t really notice how fast time goes by. But this time, we are taking you on a trip to the past that shows how our households have changed beyond recognition since the '70s.

And trust me, in most cases, it’s for the better. Take a chip pan, for example—these crazy fire agents that produced the best chips on the planet your mom can probably still taste in her mouth would keep homes on the brink of tragedy, and yet people adored them.

Thanks to the Memorial Device Twitter page that shared this illuminating guide, we now have the full list of the 40 greatest '70s household dangers all posted in order. Both nostalgic and utterly terrifying, they make you wonder whether people back then had less of a sense of health and safety. Or if it’s us who live in an overly protective mindset. Anyhow, I prefer the latter one.

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Andrew Gibb
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mum set the kitchen on fire using one of these- we first saw the flames through the serving hatch into the dining room. Luckily the local Fire Chief and his son, a fireman lived next door to us.

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Nannychachi
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Making the opening smaller results in a quicker draw on the coals which gives a quicker hot fire.

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Bored Panda reached out to the authors behind the Memorial Device Twitter page who shared this viral thread which listed 40 dangerous things that were casually used in ’70s households. Introducing themselves as “a band from Airdrie,” a town in Scotland, the creators said that their account was inspired “100% by the book ‘This is Memorial Device’ by the genius Scottish author, David Keenan.” They added that “You will have to read the book to really understand the account.”

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Here's the bizarre video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQcGIZioqQE&t=4s&ab_channel=FunFinder

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Robert T
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandma had a manual mangle (wringer). Before the advent of washing machines with a decent spin cycle, my mum had a spinner, which was basically a small washing machine drum mounted vertically and it did a better spin to get more water out.

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When asked how they came up with an idea to create the guide to all the miscellaneous stuff from the past, the creators said that it’s just one of many countdown lists on the “Memorial Device” account. “But it’s the one that most people seem to identify with,” they said and added that it may be because it’s “Proper working-class history.”

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Donkey boi
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I nicked the red bulbs out of our and used then in my bedroom light fitting. The whole street thought my parents had started a brothel.

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DC
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used one of these in 2014, 2015 in Berlin, because I couldn't afford a decent place to be ... so I lived in the basement of a guy who was too old (>90) to take out the trashy and broken furniture.

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We also asked if they can imagine anyone living with some of these crazy household objects these days, the authors said that they in fact experienced “the bathroom ceiling heater in Whitby last week. Switched it on—nothing happened. Came back later and it was glowing hotter than the sun. And it was fitted above the bath.”

The band added that they’re “Big fans of the coal effect fire and the immersion heater, along with the working-class shower,” and found “drawing the fire as total madness.” “As is buying a full-size crossbow from the Kays catalogue on HP,” the Memorial Device concluded.

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Laura Jones
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they gave out fantastic heat but the gas bottles when full were so heavy and it gradually went up in price to a ridiculous level

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Nannychachi
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Take my electric blanket from me and there'll be hell to pay!

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Demi Zwaan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't have survived childhood without these. It used to get so cold :(

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H Edwards
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are a LOT of things on this list that I still use regularly.

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Vicky Z
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously who doesn't use them still? When I'm on my period it's constantly on me! I even bought one with a belt to put around your belly

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Angelus Jiménez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Modern electric blankets are amazing. In winter or when have back pain you don't know, what you're missing.

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Albino
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a new one and an old one. Yes, you better not fall asleep on the old one, but that one gets so much warmer than the new safety conscious one.

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Yort
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have one, it’s amazing for my arthritic mother and my dog who’s prone to slipped discs.

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Keigo Tamaki
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved going over to my grandma's house when I was little because she had an electric blanket, I absolutely LOVED IT

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Rosemary Moreland
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had one when we first moved to Tasmania from the mainland 12 years ago. But, early, I find that a couple of hot water bottles and good bed socks do the trick for me.

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Gingergirl
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My 15yo blanket died recently, I can’t live in Southern Australia without it!

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Hugh Cookson
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly I'm not allowed to have one nowadays as my wife hates them, however, back in the day, I used to love getting into a really hot bed when it was bloody freezing outside. On the downside, making love on an electric blanket could be uncomfortable / dangerous depending on how exciting the lovemaking was - use your imagination ok ? .....

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Cheryl Carter
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love my heated blanket. I have 2 and a heater throw. They are awesome!!!

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Jennifer Brown
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

these have become very tech savvy....some you can set with your phone now

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RadiatorAnkleSpider
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They had a segment on a show here in NZ recently about electric blanket. How great they are. At the end they stated that you need to get an electrician out every year to the blanket. Don’t these idiots realize it’s CHEAPER to buy a brand new blanket opposed to hiring an electrician to check it?

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Lisa Shelton
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember having one when I was a kid where the wires were fraying and with the lights out I could see little electric sparks when I moved

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Em Johnson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

😂😂😂 Same here, but I was too young and stupid to realize the danger. Luckily I mentioned the “light show” to my mom before the house could have gone up in flames.

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Kristin Ingersoll
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember watching blue shocks dance across my bed. I didn't have a clue what that meant as a kid. LOL

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Natalia A
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2 years ago

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I cannot understand how people use these. They terrify me.

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#15

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Natalia A
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People are so overly cautious. Unless you put your fingers in there (and you'd have to be stupid to do that), what would go wrong?!

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Redfox
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had these. Whacked myself in the nose so hard I thought my nose had gone to the other side of my head. I obviously did not learn co-ordination nor skill.

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DC
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That wasn't really frowned upon until the nineties. All my friends' parents, mine, and basically every adult we knew smoked in his house, his car, everywhere. Children's rooms ... not that often, but sometimes, too.

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Rain WhiteBuffalo
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG I miss these shoes. I want a pair right now!! I remember having a pair in every color they offered (tan, white, navy and black). I loved these!!!

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Dhukath
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Worst when your foot can off and the whole thing sprang up and smacked you under the chin!

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#36

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only in dysfunctional families would these be used a lethal weapon. The rest of the world used them to throw them at dartboards.

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#39

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Natalia A
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We do this in Cyprus for new year's. You clean the coin, wrap it in foil and drop it in the cake batter. Everyone knows it's there so they're careful:)

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#40

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M O'Connell
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Leaving a battery on an unregulated charger is something a moron would do. 1970s or otherwise.

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