🇬🇧United Kingdom · 70s
Oil Crisis and Europe
Britain joined Europe, OPEC turned off the oil, and the lights went out.
5 milestones of 1973
After two French vetoes, Britain finally joined the European Economic Community alongside Ireland and Denmark. Heath achieved his dream. The relationship with Europe would define — and divide — British politics for 50 years.
EU membership — present factually, acknowledge it remains divisive
OPEC imposed an oil embargo following the Yom Kippur War. Oil prices quadrupled. Petrol stations ran dry. Speed limits were imposed. The post-war economic model shattered overnight.
With coal stocks low and oil scarce, Heath announced a three-day working week from January. Commercial electricity was rationed to three days. TV shut down at 10:30pm. Britain worked by candlelight.
Value Added Tax replaced purchase tax, a requirement of EEC membership. Initially set at 10%, it added a new layer of complexity for businesses and complaints for consumers.
The IRA detonated car bombs outside the Old Bailey and in Whitehall. One person died and 200 were injured. The Troubles had come to the British mainland. London would live with the threat for decades.
Terrorism — honour victims, present factually without sensationalizing
70% local · 30% international
The Exorcist
William Friedkin — Banned by many local councils. Queues around the block.
The Wicker Man
Robin Hardy — Edward Woodward on a Scottish island. British horror masterpiece.
Live and Let Die
Guy Hamilton — Roger Moore's first Bond. Paul McCartney's theme.
Don't Look Now
Nicolas Roeg — Donald Sutherland in Venice. The red coat. Dread incarnate.
The Day of the Jackal
Fred Zinnemann — Edward Fox hunts De Gaulle. Thriller perfection.
Last of the Summer Wine
1973-2010 — Three old men in Yorkshire. The longest-running sitcom in history.
That's Life!
1973-1994 — Esther Rantzen. Consumer complaints and funny-shaped vegetables.
Moonbase 3
1973 — BBC sci-fi about a moonbase. Cancelled quickly.
World at War
1973-1974 — Laurence Olivier narrated Thames TV's definitive WWII documentary.
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
1973-1974 — Bob and Terry reunited. North-east comedy classic.
Currency: GBP
Inflation: 9.2%
Oil crisis devastated the economy. House prices had doubled in two years. The three-day week meant candlelit dinners — involuntarily.
Inflation-adjusted values
Concorde
Maiden flight of British-assembled Concorde 002.
Pocket calculators
Sinclair calculators getting cheaper — soon in every school bag.
North Sea oil
Oil discoveries in the North Sea — Britain's energy salvation approaching.
Teletext
BBC's Ceefax and ITV's Oracle text services in development.
Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield's album was also a technological achievement in multi-track recording.
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