Going to work in the 1970s had a whole personality. It was a daily parade of polyester, coffee breath, and hope. People marched into offices like they were stepping onto the set of a TV show nobody remembered to cancel. Cars rattled, typewriters clacked like caffeinated castanets, and every hallway smelled faintly of ambition and someone’s leftover meatloaf.
The morning routine was simple: grab your briefcase, straighten your wide-lapel armor, and pray your hair survived the humidity. No apps. No GPS. No “reply all” disasters. Just you, a half-wilted newspaper, and the pure athletic sport of trying to find a parking spot. These photos will take you back to a time when work looked louder, funnier, slower and somehow sweeter.
So step in, take a deep breath of imaginary cigarette smoke, and enjoy the time-travel tour. The ’70s workday is calling, and it wants you to punch in.
1
Where Style Was Born
"My grandpa working in his hair salon, c. 1970s."
2
Radio Waves and College Days
"My freshman-year mom working at the college radio station, early 70s."
3
Ranch Life, Late-’70s Colorado Style
"My dad in the late 70s, working on a ranch in Colorado."
4
Late-’70s Grind, Dad Edition
"My dad at work in the late ’70s."
5
Safari Days and Early ’70s Paychecks
"My mom worked at Africa USA in the early ’70s."
6
Designing the Future
"My dad at his graphic design job (70s)."
7
Guarding the Night, One Shift at a Time
"My grandpa when he was a security guard in the 1970s."
8
The Wild Frontier of Air Travel
"Working at LAX. What a time to be alive."
9
The Iron Worker Who Helped Build Boston
"My iron worker cousin building Boston in the 70s."
10
Climbing Poles, Connecting the Country
"My dad (top right) working as a lineman for Pacific Bell (AT&T) in the 70s."
11
Secretary Life in the 70s
Woman working next to her boss.
12
The Heartbeat of the 70s
"My avô working in his shop in the 70s."
13
Breaking News, Early ’70s Style
"My dad working as a reporter in early 70s Malaysia."
14
Steel, Steam, and the North Georgia Grit
"1970s: My great-grandpa working for CSX Trains in North Georgia."
15
The Garage Where History Plugged Itself In
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak working from their garage in the 1970s.
16
Grandma: Pure Authority
"My grandma, a police officer, sometime in the 70s."
17
WFH Before Wi-Fi Was a Thing
What working from home looked like circa 1970s.
18
Punch Cards, Big Hair
"My dad back in the 70s at work."
19
When Computers Were the Size of Buicks
"My dad working off the mainframe, mid-70s."
20
Work Day Is On
Men talking in their office.
