In the news1971
Decimal currency introduced in 1971
The UK switched to a decimal currency system in 1971.
Born 27 Nov 1978
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Living person. The family sees only the name, dates and photo; everything else stays private unless they choose to share it.
27 Nov 1978
Born
He has lived through 6 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1971
The UK switched to a decimal currency system in 1971.
Getting around
Increasing distance of everyday trips
The average distance per trip increased from 4.7 miles in the early 1970s to 6.9 miles by 2006, as personal mobility grew through expanded road networks.
Around the world1973–1974
Arab oil producers cut supplies and the price of oil quadrupled; petrol queues and inflation followed around the world.
Daily life
Daily showering became more common
Between 1970 and 1980, many households shifted from a daily campers wash to a daily shower as instant hot water became widely available.
What people wore
The origin of Dr. Martens boots
Dr. Martens boots, which became a staple of various subcultures, were originally marketed as orthopaedic gardening shoes for older women.
Music
Rise of English country dance music
During the 1970s, a revival of English country music led to the popularity of ceilidhs or barn dances, where people danced to music played by melodeon-led bands.
At the table
1976 potato shortage and high prices
Due to a severe potato shortage in 1976, prices for old potatoes reached 13.2p per lb during the spring, leading families to shift toward frozen potato products and pasta.