During the 1960s, unconventional theories were prevalent in various fields such as social sciences, health, and technology. Despite the relatively short time span of 60 years, our understanding of the world has grown significantly.
Explore a collection showcasing some of the most outlandish beliefs held by people during that era. Read on to learn the wildest thing people used to believe.
It Was Believed That A Woman's Voice Was Linked To Their Attractiveness
In the 60s, it was considered a feminine trait to possess good speech, which entailed speaking softly and gently. To achieve this, young girls were advised to place a matchstick between their teeth while conversing on the telephone. If the other person could detect its presence, it indicated the need for further practice.
A Guide For Housewives Told Women That "Husbands Should Always Be Given the Opportunity To Speak First"
Over the years, the expectations placed on wives have undergone significant transformations. It is difficult to fathom a time when women were taught to prioritize their husband's words over their own. They were instructed to remain silent and attentively listen.
The Wife's Responsibility Was To Maintain A Well-Organized Household
Women were supposed to keep the home neat and tidy for their partners at all times. They had to make sure everything was in order, and ready for their husband when he returned from work.
ATMs Were Believed To Be Ineffective
In the present day, it is difficult to envision our lives without the convenience offered by ATMs. However, during their initial introduction, people harbored doubts about their importance and consequently refrained from utilizing them.
Laser Erasers Hailed As A Groundbreaking Technological Innovation
Lasers have evolved from their original purpose of correcting typewriter errors to being used in various treatments such as eye surgery and tattoo removal. In the past, a large laser gun would be aligned with the error on the paper and fired, typically taking around 15-20 seconds for the desired effect.
Talking On A Date Wasn't Believed To Be Important
During the 1960s, a notable trend emerged where individuals sought to avoid conversation during dates. This trend was based on the belief that women lacked conversational skills, leading to the encouragement of planning activities that would eliminate the need for talking throughout the entire date.
Many Believed Nighttime Baby Feeding Fostered Socialist Tendencies
Parents were advised against attending to their baby during the night if they cried, as it could potentially instill the belief that their every desire would be immediately fulfilled. This approach was likened to "sowing the seeds of socialism."
Teens Were Told To Prioritize Active Dates To Maintain A Healthy And Non-Physical Relationship
During the 60s, the mantra of "Keep busy so you don't end up getting busy" was popular. Teenagers were advised to fill their dates with various activities to prevent the temptation of engaging in physical intimacy, which was considered highly inappropriate and disgraceful.
It Was Expected That Infants Should Quickly Adapt to the Family's Regular Eating Routines
At the age of nine weeks, it was expected for a baby to consume the same foods as the rest of the family. Surprisingly, it was believed that this practice could potentially deter the child from developing communist ideologies.
It Was Instructed That Weight Gain Should Be Avoided By Pregnant Women
During pregnancy, doctors typically advise a weight gain of around 20 pounds. It was suggested that pregnant women to consider omitting lunch from their meals and instead opt for non-fat dairy products.
The Recommended Retirement Age For Flight Attendants Was 32
Stewardesses were required to meet strict physical standards to fulfill their job responsibilities and uphold the airline's reputation. Prior to 1972, flight attendants were mandated to retire upon reaching their 32nd birthday.
People Believed We'd Have A Shorter Work Week By Now
Numerous predictions were made about the future six decades ago, but unfortunately, they did not materialize. Among these was the notion that by the 21st century, Americans would enjoy shorter workweeks of 30 hours and indulge in month-long vacations. Such a scenario would have been quite desirable.
State-Organized Lotteries Were Deemed Morally Offensive
Six decades ago, government lotteries were prohibited. New Hampshire took the lead in legalizing a lottery as a means to generate funds for schools. Nevertheless, there was initial public outcry over the state's decision to finance government endeavors through betting.
People Believed Sharks Could Help Cure Cancer
Shark cartilage was once thought to possess cancer-fighting properties, alongside the widely held belief that sharks were impervious to cancer. However, this notion was challenged in the 90s when 42 instances of tumors were documented in sharks, effectively disproving the previous assumption.
It Was Expected That Detroit's Future Would Always Shine Brightly
The city, once envisioned as a thriving and vibrant place to reside, has sadly deviated from the optimistic predictions made in the 60s. Instead of a bustling metropolis, it has become a haven for crime and a landscape dotted with deserted structures.
Banks Could Deny Credit Cards To Women
During the 1960s, single women faced discrimination from banks who deemed them untrustworthy to possess credit cards. To obtain a credit card, a husband's co-signature was mandatory. Therefore, a woman not only needed to be married to have a credit card, she needed her husband's approval.
People Thought Future Humans Would Travel Like Moles Underground
Another wildly inaccurate prediction about the future was the notion that all travel would occur by descending through a network of tunnels and magically arriving at any desired destination.
Some Believed Rock Music Was A Negative Influence On Kids
The younger generations of the 50s and 60s were introduced to the rock 'n roll genre, which brought along a fresh culture and mindset. Unfortunately, the older generations disapproved of this music genre, leading to many establishments banning its play.
Lobotomy With An Ice-Pick Was An Option For Mental Illness
Historically, inserting a lengthy metal rod through the eye socket and into the brain was considered a viable method for addressing mental illness. While this approach often achieved the intended outcome of inducing tranquility, it frequently resulted in paralysis and cognitive impairment.
Some Even Believed Sugar Was Not Harmful To Your Health
There was a lack of awareness regarding the negative consequences of consuming a diet high in sugar. Surprisingly, fat was wrongly perceived as the culprit, leading people to be advised against consuming products containing fat.
Experts Advised To Avoid Cutting Your Hair While Pregnant
Pregnancy hormones were believed to significantly impact a woman's behavior, leading to doubts about her ability to make important life choices, such as getting a haircut. There was worry that losing hormones when getting a haircut would also be harmful to the baby's health.
The Domino Effect Of Communism
60 years ago, there was a widespread fear of communism. The concept of the Communism Domino Theory suggested that communism would initiate in a single country and rapidly propagate to others, eventually dominating the entire world. This theory played a significant role in motivating the United States' participation in the Vietnam War.
