Soon to be 84, and my husband and I went to watch TV (first in our town) for an evening of "test pattern watching." We thought it awesome--that was 1948. No stations were available yet, and but that was to be on soon in Topeka, KS. Went to our rural school during the summer to get a series of 3 typhoid shots, in the 30's. Polio never heard of then, but in 50's I was a bit disgusted when one mother (a nurse) would pick up her son so late from day care. Was thankful when I heard the reason--she went home to completely shower and change after caring for polio victims.

I remember playing jacks. Lived near the Staley Starch factory in Decatur, Il. Someone from the family worked there and gave us the older balls that they used to bounce on the screens to let the starch drip thru, otherwise, the starch would create a film and took too long to drip thru. Those things were like the Super balls that came out later that bounced about 15 ft off the ground! Moved to CA in 1957 so it was before that. Does anyone remember the plastic film screen that you put on the TV screen and drew on it? Had something to do with the TV program that was on at that time? Don't remember the name of the show.

Thanks for the post. Our margarine had a red dot in the middle of the package that you had to break and then squeeze the whole thing to make it yellow. We used to love to do that. I remember peeking thru my grandparents window to see B&W TV. Talked to my DGC about all of the things they have now and they just looked at me funny and said they couldn't believe I was ever young. Ran my hand/arm thru a wringer washer more than once. At least the rollers moved. We also had an ice box.BrendaK

So true... it is a different world

I am 75 and I remember getting my polio vaccine along with my children when they were young. When I was young,there were salespeople behind the counters in the dime stores that waited on you. In the department stores, in the hosiery department, the salespeople would take the hosiery and run their hands through it to show you how the shade looked. Also, I did not have a TV until I was married in 1957, although I used to go to my aunt and uncle's house to watch it. Oh, how things have changed. I really enjoyed the "good old days." Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

I turned 70 this year and remember helping my mother massaging the yellow liquid into the white stuff. Also remember ration stamps. My grandfather, he lived in IL and we lived in Ohio, would send us his gass ration stamps so we could come visit. He was a doctor and received more than what he needed. Remember walking across the street from houses that were quarantined because of Polio. Received mine from my pediatrician before they were given at school. When I started to drive gas was well under 20 cents/gal. and you did not have to pump your own gass. Someone would come to the car and wash your windows, check your oil and the air in your tires while the car was being filled up. Grew up without AC, TV when I was 7 but when I was 10 we moved to Colorado Springs and they did not have TV at the time. Computers, video games, what were they? Okay I am aging myself now but life seemed so much simpler and easy going than live now. But I will not give up my AC!!!!!

For the most part, it's true. I was born in 1950 (I'm 61). I remember watching a children's show called "Mr. Moon" on a B/W TV. Then when I was 5, we moved to an area with no tv. I didn't see television again until I was 7, in 1957. wow --- does this thread ever bring back memories!

A couple more memories:

I remember when the first space ship circled the earth. I remember the first man stepping on the moon.
I remember our teacher bringing a huge old television to school in 1961 so we could try to see the inaugeration of John F. Kennedy. Far cry from watching tv on a 6" screen now!!!!

I remember our first B/W T.V with the bunny ears and its only had a few channels.

I'm 76 and we had no phone, unpaved roads and rode the school bus for over an hour morninings and two evenings. In winter ,it was dark both trips. In high School I had to walk half a mile for that even. I recall excitement when new cars came out because it was a secret what they looked like until THE DAY!..I can't remember when, but I was married (at 16) when most of the things mentioned came about. It has been a great time to be alive!

Interesting. I'm 67 and, when I was growing up, watching Dick Clark and American Bandstand, I thought Benny Goodman was "old folks music" (meaning my parents). Gas was 22 cents a gallon by the time I got a driver's license.