12 Things That Were In Every Junk Drawer In The ’80s – And They Still Might Be
Ah, the ’80s — when everything was bigger, brighter, and just a little bit weirder. From the fashion to the music to the Saturday morning cartoons, it was a decade that knew how to make a statement.
But let’s talk about something truly iconic from that era: the sacred junk drawer. Every home had one—usually in the kitchen, always a little stuck when you tried to open it—and it was the unofficial command center of the household.
Inside? A glorious mess of paperclips, expired coupons, cassette tape adapters, rogue batteries, and at least three pens that didn’t work. It was part time capsule, part survival kit, and 100% mystery box.
Rainy day boredom? Hit the junk drawer. Need tape, a rubber band, or a lone key to something? Junk drawer to the rescue. So let’s pop it open and rediscover the wonderfully random contents of the ultimate ’80s drawer of delights!
1. Batteries
Before smartphones and rechargeable everything, batteries were the lifeblood of any self-respecting ’80s gadget enthusiast. From powering your Walkman to ensuring your TV remote obeyed your every command, batteries were essential.
Those chunky 9V batteries often found their way into smoke detectors, but admit it, you also tested them on your tongue for that zapping thrill. It was an ’80s rite of passage!
Today, even amidst the USB-charged universe, batteries still roll around in our drawers, ready to save the day when the power runs low. Fun fact: The first battery was invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800, sparking the dawn of portable energy.
2. Twist Ties
Twist ties—those bendy, twisty, metallic wonders—were the unsung heroes of organizational bliss in the ’80s. Without them, bread would go stale, cords would tangle, and life would be chaos.
They offered a simple, tactile joy as you twisted them around and around to ensure the perfect seal or a semblance of order. Plus, they doubled as makeshift art supplies for impromptu crafting sessions.
Fast forward to today, and they’re still in the game, albeit often overshadowed by their more modern cousin, the zip tie. Did you know they were originally designed to secure lawn bags back in 1945? Talk about a twist of fate!
3. Paper Clips
In the ’80s, paper clips were more than just office supplies; they were the MacGyvers of the junk drawer. Need to pick a lock? Paper clip. Stuck zipper? Paper clip. They were the Swiss Army knife of stationery.
These metallic marvels not only held papers together but could be bent into whatever tool you needed at the time. Their simple ingenuity turned many a frown upside down.
Still a staple in today’s drawers, paper clips continue to rescue us from minor calamities, all while keeping our documents in neat stacks. A quirky fact: the first patent for a paper clip was granted to Samuel B. Fay in 1867. Who knew they had such a rich history?
4. Rubber Bands
What’s stretchy, colorful, and can hold the world together? Rubber bands! Back in the ’80s, they were the true workhorses of the junk drawer realm. Whether your homework needed binding or your kid brother’s action figures needed handcuffs, rubber bands were always ready for action.
These little loops of latex weren’t just utilitarian; they were fun, too. Remember the satisfying snap as you launched one across the room? It was like a mini catapult, only your mom didn’t approve.
Today, rubber bands still find their place, wrapping around our ever-growing cords or just waiting for their next big break. Did you know? These stretchy saviors were invented in 1845 by Stephen Perry, making them older than the light bulb!
5. Rubik’s Cube
Ah, the Rubik’s Cube—a colorful enigma that haunted many an ’80s kid. Whether you solved it or just peeled off the stickers, this cube of confusion has always been a junk drawer staple.
Half puzzle, half stress reliever, its rattle was the soundtrack of procrastination. It was there for you, mocking yet motivating in equal measure.
Even today, many of us have a Rubik’s Cube tucked away, waiting to be twisted and turned once more. Did you know it was invented in 1974 by Ernő Rubik, a Hungarian architect? It’s the world’s best-selling puzzle game!
6. Scotch Tape
What’s sticky and can fix almost anything? Scotch tape! This transparent hero held the ’80s together, one tear at a time. Whether wrapping gifts or mending torn pages, it was indispensable.
Its tactile stickiness was oddly soothing, and peeling it off the roll without splitting was a true art form. The smell of fresh tape was almost therapeutic!
Though today’s world is awash with high-tech adhesives, the humble Scotch tape remains, ready to patch things up in a pinch. Fun fact: Richard Drew invented Scotch tape in 1930. It was originally used to mask off areas during auto painting!
7. Matchbooks
Strike a match, light up the past! Matchbooks were the collectible curiosities of the ’80s junk drawer, each one a tiny time capsule. With designs as diverse as their origins, they sparked conversation as easily as they ignited flames.
While their primary job was to light candles or cigarettes, these pocket-sized pyrotechnics also served as impromptu notepads or makeshift toothpicks.
Though less common nowadays, a few still lurk in drawers, ready to kindle nostalgia. Did you know? Matchbooks were invented in 1892 by Joshua Pusey, and they’ve been striking up memories ever since.
8. Safety Pins
Safety pins: the little metal friends that kept the ’80s from falling apart at the seams—literally. From fashion emergencies to DIY fixes, they were always on pin-point duty.
Their simplicity was their strength; a quick pin here could save the day. Fashion statement or emergency tool, safety pins were versatile heroes.
Even today, they’re just a drawer’s reach away, ever ready to rescue us from wardrobe malfunctions. Fun fact: Walter Hunt invented the safety pin in 1849, and even then, it was designed with both utility and safety in mind.
9. Yo-Yo
Yo-yos, the quintessential ’80s toy, were more than just spinning wonders—they were a ticket to becoming the playground legend. Walk the dog, rock the baby, or loop the loop; the possibilities were endless.
Apart from being a toy, yo-yos were stress relievers, teaching patience and precision with every flick and spin.
Today, they might be a nostalgic relic, but their appeal is timeless, still found languishing in junk drawers, waiting for another spin. Did you know? Yo-yos have been around since ancient Greece, and their name is from the Filipino term ‘come come.’
10. Foreign Coins
Change you can’t spend was the mystery of the junk drawer. Foreign coins, relics of travels or gifts from globe-trotting relatives, added an international flair to the ’80s junk scene.
These coins were the gateway to far-off lands, sparking dreams of adventure and wanderlust in young minds. Their distinct engravings and textures told silent stories of places we’d never been.
Still today, they clink together in the corners of our drawers, their value more sentimental than financial. Did you know? The oldest known coins date back to Lydia, c. 600 B.C., making your coin collection a link to ancient history
11. Buttons
Random buttons—scavenged from lost shirts or collected ‘just in case’—were the colorful chaos of the ’80s junk drawer. No shirt was too far gone if you had the right button at hand.
With every rummage, you’d find ones that could become eyes for a homemade puppet or an unexpected art project. They offered endless possibilities in unexpected moments.
Nowadays, buttons still roll around in drawers, ever ready to sew together a solution. Fun fact: Buttons have been used since ancient times, primarily for decoration rather than fastening, until the invention of buttonholes in the Middle Ages.
12. Epoxy Glue
Got a fix that needs to stick? Epoxy glue was the ’80s answer to broken knick-knacks and projects. This mighty adhesive was the secret weapon in any repair arsenal.
Its dual-tube design, requiring mixing before application, was both an art and a science. Once mixed, you’d better be quick; this glue waits for no one!
Even today, epoxy glue clings to its place in the drawer, ever the go-to for those tricky fixes. Did you know? Epoxy resins were first developed in the 1930s and revolutionized many industrial processes with their strong bonding capabilities.