31 Historical Photos of Work Life in the '70s

Carly Tennes Published 10/04/2024 in wow

Though work today may be defined by 15-minute lunch breaks, laptops, last-minute texts from your boss, and the ever-divisive team pizza party, clocking in during the 1970s looked a whole lot different. Just take a look at these old-school computers, short-skirted flight attendants, and surfing physics teachers.

From letter carriers to reporters, waitresses, secretaries, and firemen, here are 31 pictures of what work looked like in the '70s.

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1.
“This is my dad in the 70s in Canberra’s News Limited Offices waiting on his film to process.”
2.
“My grandfather, Juan R Maldonado, at work in Bell Labs in 1970. A Cuban immigrant, his work contributed heavily to the development of solid state storage, like SD cards.”
3.
“Jim Henson in his workshop office, 1972.”
4.
“1970's office. The 4" screen was a major upgrade from the old 3" ones.”
5.
“Computer class 1972”
6.
“Burger Chef Employees 1970s.”
7.
8.
“Postman delivering mail, Australia, circa 1970.”
9.
 “A Pacific Southwest Airline flight attendant assisting a passenger in her standard uniform in 1973.”
10.
“1970s office with IBM terminals.”
11.
“United Airlines stewardess in 1970.”
12.
“Grandma running a diner in the 1970’s, when her hair was down it could reach her waist.” 
13.
“Two suited businessmen, enjoying the sight of an attractive young secretary in a mini skirt,1974.”
14.
“A cocktail waitress stops for the camera inside Whimsy's Disco in Boston in the mid 70s. Photo by MJ Finlan.”
15.
“Waitresses at a bar in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, 1974.”
16.
17.
“My grandfather with a old school computer in the 1970s (I think).”
18.
“John Kemeny, founder of the original BASIC programming language, looks over his daughter's shoulder as she writes code (~1970).”
19.
“Officer on a Police bike In Tokyo, 1970.”
20.
“Local news channel shared this picture of 3 anchors in the late 70’s.”
21.
“My Auntie Elda, late 70s in Manila, Philippines. She was a secretary.”
22.
“At my desk hardly working, 1977.”
23.
“A miner waiting to go to work during the night shift at the Virginia- Pocahontas Coal Company mine, 1974.”
24.
“Firefighters, 1970.”
25.
“Me, rookie cop early 70’s.”
26.
“My dad, 1970s. One of his very first calls as a firefighter/ medic. Fresh out of paramedic school. (He's the one holding the girl.) Coolest guy I know!”
27.
“70’s Geography Teacher Looking Fly!”
28.
“A California teacher teaching the physics of surfing (1970).”
29.
“Isaac Hayes at Stax Records (1971).”
30.
“So we're doing fast food uniforms? My mom, burger king employee, circa 1976.”
31.
“My grandfather in the newsroom in the 1970s.”

1.
“This is my dad in the 70s in Canberra’s News Limited Offices waiting on his film to process.”
2.
“My grandfather, Juan R Maldonado, at work in Bell Labs in 1970. A Cuban immigrant, his work contributed heavily to the development of solid state storage, like SD cards.”
3.
“Jim Henson in his workshop office, 1972.”
4.
“1970's office. The 4" screen was a major upgrade from the old 3" ones.”
5.
“Computer class 1972”
6.
“Burger Chef Employees 1970s.”
7.
8.
“Postman delivering mail, Australia, circa 1970.”
9.
 “A Pacific Southwest Airline flight attendant assisting a passenger in her standard uniform in 1973.”
10.
“1970s office with IBM terminals.”
11.
“United Airlines stewardess in 1970.”
12.
“Grandma running a diner in the 1970’s, when her hair was down it could reach her waist.” 
13.
“Two suited businessmen, enjoying the sight of an attractive young secretary in a mini skirt,1974.”
14.
“A cocktail waitress stops for the camera inside Whimsy's Disco in Boston in the mid 70s. Photo by MJ Finlan.”
15.
“Waitresses at a bar in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, 1974.”
16.
17.
“My grandfather with a old school computer in the 1970s (I think).”
18.
“John Kemeny, founder of the original BASIC programming language, looks over his daughter's shoulder as she writes code (~1970).”
19.
“Officer on a Police bike In Tokyo, 1970.”
20.
“Local news channel shared this picture of 3 anchors in the late 70’s.”
21.
“My Auntie Elda, late 70s in Manila, Philippines. She was a secretary.”
22.
“At my desk hardly working, 1977.”
23.
“A miner waiting to go to work during the night shift at the Virginia- Pocahontas Coal Company mine, 1974.”
24.
“Firefighters, 1970.”
25.
“Me, rookie cop early 70’s.”
26.
“My dad, 1970s. One of his very first calls as a firefighter/ medic. Fresh out of paramedic school. (He's the one holding the girl.) Coolest guy I know!”
27.
“70’s Geography Teacher Looking Fly!”
28.
“A California teacher teaching the physics of surfing (1970).”
29.
“Isaac Hayes at Stax Records (1971).”
30.
“So we're doing fast food uniforms? My mom, burger king employee, circa 1976.”
31.
“My grandfather in the newsroom in the 1970s.”