8 Sounds That Defined Saturday Mornings in the 1980s

The 1980s were a colorful, crazy time. Modern technological gadgets were all the rage, music was bright and brash, and so was the fashion. Day-Glo fabrics, big hair, and bold makeup marked the prevailing style. It was a decade of great change, and, for those who grew up during this time, the sounds on this list are sure to bring back vivid memories.

1. Cartoons
2. The Hum of a Microwave Oven
3. The Family Telephone
4. The Doorbell
5. The Crunching of Cereal
6. The Radio
7. The Ping of a Toaster
8. The Rattle of a Whisk

Cartoons

No 1980s weekend was complete without cartoons. This treat was made all the more special because, pre-internet, cartoons weren't so readily available. Saturday morning meant children's television, and children's television meant cartoons, lots of them. Transformers (more than meets the eye), Smurfs, G.I. Joe, Dungeons & Dragons, or perhaps Thundercats. This was the golden age of kids' cartoons, and each theme song was burned into every 1980s child's memory.

The Hum of a Microwave Oven

Surprisingly, the first microwave ovens made an appearance as far back as the 1940s, although these were mammoth-sized, industrial units designed for restaurants. Home models were available from the 1970s, but it wasn't until the 1980s that the microwave oven became incredibly popular. Still a novelty in those times, no breakfast would be complete without the chunking and whirring of these early units.

The Family Telephone

Yes, kids, back then you might have had only one sole phone that had to be shared amongst the entire family. Weekends were for fun, and fun meant plans with friends. The only way to get in touch back then was by using a plugged-in telephone. The sound of the phone ringing was a regular occurrence, especially on a Saturday morning, usually followed by cries of "I'll get it" or "it's probably for me." Who knew what adventures that call might lead to!

The Doorbell

Those who have grown up with the smartphone are more likely to wait outside and text than ring someone's front doorbell, but back then the doorbell was the portal to the world beyond your house. Weekends meant visitors. It might be your nan popping round, a friend calling in to see if you could come out and play, or the postman with anything too big to fit in the letterbox. Back then, parcels weren't routinely left on the doorstep.

The Crunching of Cereal

The history of breakfast cereal dates back to 1863, when Dr. James Caleb Jackson invented a recipe consisting of water and dried flour split into pieces. It required milk to become softer and palatable, and served as the precursor to the spectacular range of breakfast cereals we have today. In America, breakfast cereals enjoyed an explosion of popularity across the 1970s, and by the 1980s the craze was at its peak. The ringing of a metal spoon against a bowl, the pouring in of the cereal, and the splashing of milk were sounds guaranteed to be heard in any kitchen on Saturday morning.

The Radio

Streaming services were an as-yet unthought-of invention. Household internet was still a decade or so away. Most homes owned vinyl record players (CD players became increasingly popular towards the end of that decade), but for a Saturday morning, the radio was the sound machine to turn to. Saturday morning radio shows were designed to get you up and running for the weekend, and those 1980s synth pop hits served as a perfect soundtrack for the fun ahead.

The Ping of a Toaster

The humble butter-and-toast was still a tasty morning option during the 1980s but, cereal aside, there were other, far more tempting toastie treats on offer—Pop Tarts. These fruity pasty chews were actually invented by Post, back in 1964. Kellogg's capitalized on their rival company's early announcement of the new snack in time to manufacture their own. They proved a great success and, by 1980, were one of the most popular food items around. This was perfect Saturday morning fare—easy to make, delicious, and perfect for eating whilst watching cartoons.

The Rattle of a Whisk

Pancakes! Always a popular morning meal, but in the fast-forward world of the 1980s, it was all about convenience. Nobody had the time to crack eggs and measure out flour and other ingredients. Enter the pre-made pancake mix. This was the darling of every 1980s kitchen, and what were Saturday mornings made for if not indulgence? All you had to do was empty your pack of Bisquick, Aunt Jemima, or similar into a pan, pour in some milk, and whisk away! It goes without saying that toppings were a necessity—whipped cream, jam, sliced banana—whatever took your fancy.

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