Trends of the Decades - The 1970s
The wild child ideals that shaped much of the 1960s were slowly reigned in as we entered the 1970s. The idea of living ‘free and easy’ gave way to rising economic struggle, marked by the strikes and blackouts that culminated in 1979’s ‘Winter of Discontent’.
Yet, as always, there were moments to uplift. We met a Wookie named Chewie, became infected by disco beats, and fought off an alien invasion.
The Tempest Photography Timeline
For Tempest, it was a decade that brought its own sadness. Much-loved company founder, Horace, passed away in the August of 1979. He had lived a full life blessed by love and family. His adventurous soul and unwavering work ethic paved the way to success, whilst a dedication to his business vision became the foundation for many families in Cornwall and beyond.
Photography in the ‘70s
The 1970s saw a revolution in what we understood as photography. Rather than its fundamental role as a means to capture breaking news and family life, it gradually became recognised as a tool to create fine art.
Colour images were becoming the norm, and barriers fell between life and artistic expression, as renowned visionaries such as Larry Fink and Lucas Samaras saw their photos go from the lens to the walls of the art-loving world.
The Big Moments
The decade saw directors - Steven Spielberg and George Lucas - thrust into the spotlight on the back of blockbuster films Jaws and Star Wars. It was also around this time that we all became scared to enter the ocean, and saw Jedi as a viable career path.
Humanity welcomed an alien invasion in 1977 when the legendary video game, Space Invaders landed. This phenomenon paved the way for gaming to enter the mainstream, and greedily swallowed the dinner money of a generation of schoolkids.
During widespread strike action, dubbed the ‘Winter of Discontent’, ITV went off-air for a whole five months! The channel returned with Crossroads and Coronation St. Suddenly, the blank screens of earlier didn’t seem so bad.
Elsewhere, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak launched tech giant, Apple – a company that would eventually revolutionise mobile phones and take a huge bite out of our bank accounts.
The world’s very first mobile phone was produced! We guarantee somebody somewhere will have uttered the immortal line, ‘These things will never catch on.’
The Soundtrack
The soundtrack of the seventies rolled in on a glitterball and left on the winds of a hurricane as the up-tempo beats of disco gave way to the rage of punk.
The contrast of disco beats, disaffected youth, David Bowie, and what was destined to be known as ‘Dad Rock’ made the ‘70s one of the more musically eclectic ones. And, looking back, one of the most exciting.
Our Favourites:
David Bowie – Heroes
The Clash – London Calling
Stevie Wonder – Superstition
ABBA – Dancing Queen
Black Sabbath – Paranoid
For many, the ‘70s were a struggle and a decade to forget. For others, it was an unforgettable ride of rebellion, disco dancing, and the growth of technology. But the dawn of the ‘80s was upon us, and it had huge hair and carried a Filofax.
See you there!