# What became ubiquitous then went away in your lifetime? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 10, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180 "2026-04-10T22:01:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 25
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2026, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/481 "2026-05-20T11:26:06Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > > Marbles and yo-yos were _there_ when you were born, > > Marbles are at least 4,500 years old and definitely don’t count for this thread. So, arguably, were yo-yos. I saw an article in a classical journal that claimed that yo-yos were used in the Classical Graeco-Roman world. They were called _aristoboli_ (among other things), and a statue was presented that, it was claimed, originally had a yo-yo in its hand. The Wikipedia article on it cites different evidence, but has a Greek painting showing someone playing with one, and claims it dates back to at least 440 BCE > **[Yo-yo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo-yo)** > > A yo-yo (also spelled yoyo) is a toy consisting of an axle connected to two disks, and a string looped around the axle, similar to a spool. It is an ancient toy documented since 440 BC. It was also called a bandalore in the 18th century. > It is played by holding the free end of the string known as the handle (by inserting one finger—usually the middle or ring finger—into a slip knot), allowing gravity (or the force of a throw and gravity) to spin the yo-yo and unwind the string (similar to how ... ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2026, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/482 "2026-05-20T12:01:24Z")
Technically it’s not TV sets- you can completely legally have a TV set hooked up to a DVD player with no licence, if it can’t get a TV signal. You do, however, legally need to have a licence if you watch live TV online. Even if it’s not BBC. Or BBC stuff that isn’t live. It’s also not actually the BBC collecting the fee and they don’t automatically get it. It’s all a little weird. I wouldn’t say the vans were exactly ubiquitous anyway- I’ve not seen one for years, but they were a much rarer sight than their reputation would suggest during my lifetime at least. I only saw one a handful of times, though a few friends got busted by in-person checks (mostly uni students). They’ve been largely replaced by vague, extremely regular threatening letters, which really are ubiquitous if you don’t have a licence; I hope _they_ go away soon. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/483 "2026-05-22T03:41:11Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I wonder if cinnamon toothpicks count. Obviously toothpicks have existed for a long time, but I never saw a cinnamon infused toothpick before the fad in my school in the 80s, and I don’t think I’ve seen one since. Oh, cinnamon toothpicks such as Harmon’s Hot Pix have been around at least since the 1950s: > **[About Harmon's Hot Pix - Harmons Hot Pix](https://harmonshotpix.com/about-harmons-hot-pix/)** > > As the oldest son of Bud and Betty Harmon’s oldest daughter Linda, Jeff Boone had always dreamed of a family business that would resurrect the old brand and The general idea of flavored toothpicks is even older, with the Minto Toothpick company (guess what flavor they specialized in?) starting in 1919. > **[Hardwood Products Company LLC. | Home of Gold Bond and Trophy Products](https://www.hardwoodproductsco.com/Our-History/)** > > We are your source for top quality skewers, sticks, spoons, utensils and other woodenware for dairy, foodservice, and crafts applications. What may be a genuinely transient recent fad was kids DIYing them at home with plain toothpicks and cinnamon oil. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/484 "2026-05-22T11:59:17Z")
Two automotive things that were big with the Black folks: Crown air fresheners that would sit on the dashboard. Wheel spinners. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/485 "2026-05-22T12:20:16Z")
Girls were making cinnamon toothpicks and selling them at school in 1964. I bought quite a few…mostly from girls I had a crush on. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/486 "2026-05-22T23:11:33Z")
holu-hoops came and went. Then came back for concert goers. Well small venues. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/487 "2026-05-22T23:30:56Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > holu-hoops came and went. Then came back for concert goers. Well small venues. Toys: > [@GuanoLad](#): > > I figure toys and similar fads are not in the spirit of this thread. Otherwise we’d be listing Tickle Me Elmo or Tamagotchis or Space Invaders or something. That’s another thread. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/488 "2026-05-22T23:35:00Z")
When was the last time you saw an adult use a holu-hoop? Or one at all. They came back for at least a brief period. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/489 "2026-05-23T03:41:46Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > When was the last time you saw an adult use a holu-hoop? Or one at all. They came back for at least a brief period. Let’s try this again. > [@GuanoLad](#): > > I figure toys and similar fads are not in the spirit of this thread. Otherwise we’d be listing Tickle Me Elmo or Tamagotchis or Space Invaders or something. That’s another thread. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/490 "2026-05-23T04:11:52Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > When was the last time you saw an adult use a holu-hoop? Or one at all. They came back for at least a brief period. a) It’s **hula** -hoop. You know, hula, the Hawaiian dance. b) It has been agreed that we are not counting fads like toys (e.g. rubik’s cube), games (e.g. trivial pursuit), haircuts (e.g. the mullet), or clothing (e.g. poodle skirts). Those are too ephemeral, and too numerous, for a thread like this. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/491 "2026-05-23T11:03:22Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > a) It’s **hula** -hoop. You know, hula, the Hawaiian dance. > b) It has been agreed that we are not counting fads like toys (e.g. rubik’s cube), games (e.g. trivial pursuit), haircuts (e.g. the mullet), or clothing (e.g. poodle skirts). Those are too ephemeral, and too numerous, for a thread like this. Fine. I guess I missed that. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/492 "2026-05-23T11:09:05Z")
A couple of weeks ago, when I went to a circus event… Assuming you mean a hula hoop. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/493 "2026-05-23T12:31:24Z")
The school I retired from last year had them for kids to use during recess. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/494 "2026-05-24T03:25:53Z")
“Stand Here” stickers 6 feet apart on the ground for lining up during COVID. All of a sudden they were everywhere (and many still are out there) but they are completely ignored and useless now. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/495 "2026-05-24T15:42:19Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > When was the last time you saw an adult use a holu-hoop? Or one at all. They came back for at least a brief period. In the psychedic music community I frequent, it is still quite prevalent. Granted, that is a tiny subset of the general population, but hippie women still exist. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/496 "2026-05-24T16:02:01Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > In the psychedic music community I frequent, it is still quite prevalent. Granted, that is a tiny subset of the general population, but hippie women still exist. Yeah, one is one of my best friends. Missed her decade. Went to a concert with her. Phycodelic Hippopotamus opened for an all brass onsomble. Interesting night, geat music. We stayed in a yert. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/497 "2026-05-25T00:56:04Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > In the psychedic music community I frequent, it is still quite prevalent. Granted, that is a tiny subset of the general population, but hippie women still exist. I thought of that, but since I’m not actually a member of that community (I don’t like psychedelic music), I didn’t think I’d be the one to say it. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/498 "2026-05-25T15:42:16Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > They’ll be around for a while. If you don’t have access to cable, it’s your only choice really. I had one. They are suffering from cable cutters, just like regular cable. We have one, not because we couldn’t get cable but because Comcast sucked so badly. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/499 "2026-05-25T16:54:23Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > They are suffering from cable cutters, just like regular cable. We have one, not because we couldn’t get cable but because Comcast sucked so badly. We didn’t have a choice. There was no internet or any TV at our previous house. Not slow. Nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180/500 "2026-05-28T05:59:39Z")
This is a niche one but hex-and-counter wargames. The hobby was just starting out around the time I was born. It was a major form of adult games in the seventies and eighties. And then it faded out as computer games and euro-style tabletop games took over in the nineties. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180.md?page=24) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-became-ubiquitous-then-went-away-in-your-lifetime/1029180.md?page=26)