The 1960s and 1970s were an exciting time for cereal lovers. With the rise of Saturday morning cartoons, companies like Kellogg’s, General Mills, and Post battled it out to create the most memorable and fun cereals. They used creative mascots, eye-catching packaging, and catchy commercials to stand out.
Many of these cereals, however, didn’t survive beyond a few years. While they may not be found on store shelves today, they remain fondly remembered by those who grew up with them. From wild flavors to unique shapes, each one had its own charm.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the forgotten cereals from the 1960s and 1970s that made breakfast a little more magical.
1. Bell’s Picturephone
Bell introduced the first commercial Picturephone in 1970, hoping to revolutionize communication. But with a hefty price tag of $160 per month (over $1200 today) and a per-minute fee, it was simply too expensive for most people. The service was also limited to one-on-one calls, which was much less flexible than today’s video conferencing.
After trying to expand the service, Bell gave up on the picture phone in 1972. Even later attempts to revive the concept failed. It was a bold idea, but the world wasn’t ready for video calls just yet.
2. Polaroid Polavision
Polaroid, known for its instant cameras, tried to break into the film movie market with Polavision in 1977. While their cameras were a hit, Polavision failed to compete with Kodak’s Super 8. The film required very bright light, produced dull colors, and couldn’t record sound.
By 1979, Polaroid ceased production, marking one of its first major failures. Though you can still find Polavision cameras on eBay today, they serve more as a nostalgic relic than a groundbreaking innovation.
3. Quadraphonic Sound Systems
Quadraphonic sound systems promised an immersive experience with four-channel stereo sound. Big names like Aerosmith and The Eagles even released albums mixed for these systems. But the high cost and the need for two extra speakers made it a hard sell for most consumers.
By 1978, the trend faded as the music industry shifted to digital recording. Today, working Quadraphonic receivers can still fetch a good price, but the concept itself never took off.
4. Clairol’s Touch of Yogurt Shampoo
In 1979, Clairol tried to capitalize on the health trend by introducing yogurt shampoo. The idea was that natural ingredients would make hair healthier. However, consumers were confused by the product, and some even attempted to eat it.
It wasn’t long before Clairol pulled the product from the shelves. This was one of the more unusual beauty product fails of the decade.
5. LaserDisc
LaserDisc, introduced in 1978, offered superior picture and sound quality compared to VHS tapes. However, the discs were expensive, bulky, and you couldn’t record on them. While they lingered into the 1990s, they never truly gained widespread popularity.
The rise of DVDs eventually rendered LaserDiscs obsolete. Despite its technical advantages, LaserDisc couldn’t compete with the convenience and affordability of VHS.
6. Betamax
Sony’s Betamax, released in 1975, was known for its superior video and sound quality. But unlike JVC’s VHS, Sony didn’t license the technology to other manufacturers, limiting its reach. Meanwhile, VHS became widely available and cheaper.
By the late 1980s, Betamax’s market share had dropped drastically. It continued to fade as VHS became the dominant format in home entertainment.
7. Gerber Singles
Gerber made an odd move by trying to market baby food for adults with Gerber Singles. Unsurprisingly, adults weren’t interested in eating mushy meat and vegetables. The product quickly became a joke and disappeared from shelves soon after its release.
It was one of the stranger food product flops of the 1970s. Gerber Singles showed that not every idea translates well to a new audience.
8. Swing Bike
The Swing Bike allowed riders to steer both the front and rear wheels, making it a unique stunt bike. While it was fun to watch, the bike was difficult to control, leading to many falls. It was discontinued in 1978 after just a few years on the market.
Though it was a cool concept, the Swing Bike ultimately proved too impractical for most riders. It’s now remembered more for its novelty than its usefulness.
9. Sauna Hot Pants
Sauna hot pants promised to melt fat while you lounged at home. These inflatable pants claimed to help people lose weight effortlessly. However, the product didn’t deliver on its promises, and many people found them more ridiculous than effective.
This was one of several questionable weight-loss products from the 1970s that failed to catch on. Today, they serve as a reminder that there’s no easy shortcut to fitness.
10. Twist ‘N Tone
The Twist and Tone was a portable exercise gadget designed to make weight loss fun. It resembled a rotating platform and claimed to help people get in shape with minimal effort. However, it never gained serious traction in the fitness world.
Though it may have been entertaining to use, the Twist and Tone quickly disappeared from homes and gyms alike. Most people saw it as more of a gimmick than a real exercise tool.