Decade of production

This showcase presents a range of products made of plastics or with plastic components, from the 1970s.

During ths decade fashion was particularly nostalgic and saw the re-working of 1940s style platform shoes and the influence of Art Deco on Biba products. Technological advances were made with the development of the first microprocessor which was launched by Intel Corp. of America in 1971. Subsequent advances in this technology saw the emergence of smaller, personal electronic gadgets. Design for the home reflected the aspirational lifestyle of the 1970s home owners and the continuing popularity of labour-saving devices.

What the grouping of these disparate artefacts makes clear is the preference during the decade whatever the purpose of the artefact for a palette of earth-tones with vibrant highlights of reds, yellows and oranges.