The turn of the millennium was full of excitement and uncertainty. New technologies were emerging, television and music introduced new pop stars, and some companies that once seemed on an upward trajectory have since fallen by the wayside. While some of the items on our list may be little more than a faded memory, their influence has played a significant role in shaping the world we know today. Here are 15 things from the 90s and 00s that still spark nostalgia.
Nickelodeon
The 90s were the heyday for Nickelodeon. The network dominated television with its unique mix of cartoons, game shows, and sitcoms. For any kid growing up during this time, Nickelodeon was a reliable source of entertainment. The network had hit shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants, All That, Legend of the Hidden Temple, and many more. In recent years, our collective childhood was ruined following the troubling allegations surrounding one of its most influential producers. Despite this, many still look back fondly on its programs and cherish them for their lasting impact.
Napster
Before Spotify, Tidal, and even iTunes, there was Napster. A novel concept in the late 90s, Napster was a service that allowed users to download music for free. While it was great for audiophiles, artists like Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich lobbied to shut it down, as it took away artist revenue. Eventually, it did, but not before sowing the seeds for future streaming services.
Reality TV
Reality TV has never been more popular than it is today. Audiences have become obsessed with watching normal people (and not so normal people) live what the public perceives as their real lives. Early shows like Survivor, Big Brother, and The Real World set the stage for later programs with their mix of competition and explosive cast interactions. These early shows still have a sense of rawness likely because they weren’t scripted. Reality TV today can sometimes feel scripted and edited for the sake of the narrative. Unfortunately, they don’t make them like they used to.
MTV
“Remember when MTV played music” used to be a popular slight when the network changed its initial programming. In its early beginnings in the 90s, MTV, which stands for “music television,” aired mainly music videos. However, in the 2000s, it aired more reality TV shows like Meet the Osbournes, Viva La Bam, and Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. TRL, or “Total Request Live,” was another widely popular show that featured live guests and ranked the top ten music videos of the week. The show was a staple for teenagers.
Toys “R” Us
Kids from the 90s will remember the joy of stepping into Toys “R” Us. The store was a giant toy store that had anything a kid could ever dream of—legos, super soakers, yo-yos, Nerf guns, video games, etc. Unfortunately, it was just too good to be true, and the company went under in the 2000s. It’s unfortunate that today’s children won’t feel that same sense of wonder.
DVDs
It was big news for the household when your family bought their first DVD player. Movies were now stored and played on laserdisc format that boasted superior audio and video quality. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, VHS and tape cassettes became obsolete. Unfortunately, at first, only select movie titles made the transition. So, if you were anything like my family, we watched Legally Blond and Rush Hour 2 on repeat. The novelty of new media was just that exciting.
Y2K Panic
At the turn of the millennium, the world was plagued with uncertainty. Would company databases crash when the year ticked over to 2000? Would the stock market crash? Would our electronics come to life? At the time, we weren’t sure what would happen, but many possibilities raced through our heads. Luckily, nothing happened. It was another year in the books, and life continued in much the same way as it had before. So much for those bomb shelters.
Dial-Up Internet
These days internet access is ubiquitous. All you need is to connect to Wi-Fi and voila—instantaneous access to a never-ending pool of information. But it didn’t used to be that way. Early access was a different experience, one that involved dial tones. If you wanted to use the internet in your home, you’d have to connect through your phone line. The thing is, you couldn’t use both at the same time. Kids these days will never know how easy they have it.
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)
As internet access became more accessible to middle-class families, one application became hugely popular: AOL Instant Messenger. The platform allowed users to send text back and forth at lightning speed. Teenagers in the 2000s loved chatting with their friends, especially in online chat rooms. Now texting is second nature to most people, but before that, it started with AOL Instant Messenger.
Beanie Babies
In the latter half of the 1990s, the Beanie Baby phenomenon had spread across the U.S. Children and adults were obsessed with these small stuffed animals with cute names, going to ridiculous lengths to collect them. The demand for Beanie Babies reached a pinnacle when some rare Beanie Babies were being bought and sold for hundreds of dollars. Turned out they weren’t actually worth that much and were a genius ploy. Nonetheless, Beanie Babies still elicit joy.
Myspace
Before Facebook and other social media platforms, there was Myspace. The website allowed users to customize their profile, making it an exciting new mode of personal expression. You could add friends, share thoughts, write on a friend’s wall, and share your favorite music. When it was introduced in 2003, Myspace was cutting edge, connecting you with people from your neighborhood and across the world.
Boy Bands
In the 90s and 00s, boy bands became immensely popular. First, it was New Kids on the Block. Then Backstreet Boys, then N’Sync; teenage girls were obsessed with cute young guys who could sing. But their popularity didn’t last. And just as quick as boy bands became mainstream, pop culture shifted in a new direction, on to the next fad. Listening to those songs can bring back fun memories of singing along with your friends.
Blockbuster Video
Before streaming and the convenience of never leaving your couch, families had to go to the video store if they wanted to see the newest films. Blockbuster Video, one of the largest chains, was immensely popular. But that changed when Netflix came into the picture. Unable to adapt, stores across America swiftly went out of business, and going to the movie store became an outdated mode. But we miss the smell of popcorn and pizza.
iPods
When Apple unveiled the iPod, it revolutionized the way people listened to music. You could hold an entire music library in the palm of your hand. No more lugging around cassette tapes or CDs. The digitization of audio had begun. But technology moves fast, and pretty soon we had the same access on our phones. For those who remember the commercial of the silhouette figures dancing with their iPod and earbuds, the iPod was a status for cool.
Grunge
In the 90s, a new style of music came out of the Seattle area that went mainstream. Known as grunge, it was characterized by a grittier sound, reflecting the pessimism felt by many GenXers. Nirvana was one of the bands who helped the style become hugely popular. Although grunge is no longer prevalent, its sound brings back teenage angst for many from that era.
