Dial-Up Internet Was A Thing
The 90s are back, alright – but did they ever really leave? The 1990s is a time steeped in nostalgia (for better or for worse). Tamagotchi’s pets were da bomb, and nothing beat busting out the Macarena with your friends. Even the older crew found their cool streak in all-denim outfits. While millennials and Gen Xers love to romanticize this bygone decade, there were still some drawbacks. Internet speed was slower than a broken skateboard and Furbys were considered an international threat. Read on for the 411 on some of the most insane, nostalgia-inducing facts of the 1990s…
Once upon a time, people didn’t have computers in their pockets. In fact, computers had to be on a desk (usually in the Computer Room) and they had to connect to the internet through a dial-up process, which is as annoying as it sounds. Just watch You’ve Got Mail with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. You’ll get it.
Gas Was Unbelievably Cheap
While gas prices today can easily rise above $4.00 a gallon, these numbers generally remained around $1.30 throughout the 1990s. Not to mention that rent, groceries, and basically everything else was significantly cheaper as well… uh, is there a way to go back?
Nearly 100 Million Americans Watched The O.J. Simpson Verdict On TV
95 million, to be precise. In 1995, the dramatic court case involving the former NFL player had a major impact on the nation. Millions followed the trial after Simpson was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. While Simpson was eventually acquitted of all murder charges, the case remains incredibly controversial even after nearly three decades.
The Cheers Series Finale Was The Most-Watched Television Episode Of The Decade
Although the first TV show that comes to mind when you think of the 1990s maybe Friends, it’s safe to say that Cheers was truly iconic. The sitcom was on for 11 seasons, won 48 Emmys, and was nominated 117 times. The final episode of the show premiered in 1993, with a whopping 93 million people tuning in to say goodbye.
Aladdin Was The Best-Selling VHS Of The Time
You can now watch the 1992 classic on Disney+ whenever you want. Long before the age of streaming, however, the film sold over $1 billion worth of clunky VHS tapes. It may seem a bit inconvenient, but the 90s kids can probably hear the tape whirring before the mind-numbing THX intro sound blasts through the speakers, signaling the start of a magical adventure in Agrabah.
Furbys Were Believed To Be Dangerous
Despite being one of the most popular toys of the 90s, Furbys were actually pretty creepy. They talked back, woke you up at night, and had eerily large eyes. It was a weird toy that was plagued by an even weirder conspiracy. The NSA actually declared them an international threat and banned people from buying them. CBS News reported that the NSA was trying to prevent the Chinese government from installing secret listening devices into the toys that they were manufacturing.
Nokia Carried The Most Popular Cell Phone
Remember when cell phones had to text keypads and no cameras? Many of the younger millennials do, because their parents bought them the Nokia 3210 that was released in 1999. While it’s practically ancient compared to today’s iPhones, the technology was considered revolutionary at the time and sold over 150 million units within just a few years. At the very least, pressing the 7 key four times to get an “s” created previously unseen levels of thumb strength.