Every home had a rotary dial phone in the 1970s. It took longer than touchscreens to spin a dial for each number.
Tupperware was popular in the 1970s, especially Jell-O molds. It was used to make shaped gelatin sweets for parties and special occasions.
Kitchens needed manual can openers before electric ones became ubiquitous. It took patience and hand strength to use them.
Carpet sweepers cleaned floors before vacuums. Manually pushing them back and forth required effort.
Pressure cookers were popular in 1970s households because they cooked dishes rapidly. However, early models were notoriously difficult to use.
Electric percolators were previously the standard for coffee brewing. Recirculating boiling water through coffee grounds worked.
In the 1970s, fondue sets were popular for entertaining. Melting cheese or chocolate for dipping was their purpose.
Before computers and printers, typewriters were vital for document creation. Pressing the keys needed finger strength and there was no easy method to repair mistakes.