Jun 5
EEC Referendum — Britain Votes Yes
Britain voted 67% to 33% to stay in the European Economic Community. The question of Europe wouldn't go away — but for now, the answer was 'in.'
🇬🇧United Kingdom · 70s
Britain Votes to Stay
The EEC referendum, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Fawlty Towers.
What happened
4 milestones of 1975
Feb 11
Margaret Thatcher Becomes Conservative Leader
Margaret Thatcher defeated Edward Heath to become the first woman to lead a major British political party. Four years later, she would transform the country.
Year-round
Inflation Hits 24.2%
Inflation peaked at 24.2% — the highest in modern British history. The price of everything was spiralling. The 'Winter of Discontent' was approaching.
Economic hardship — empathetic tone
Nov
Sex Pistols Form
The Sex Pistols played their first gig at Saint Martin's School of Art. Punk was brewing in London's underbelly.
What was playing
70% local · 30% international
What was in cinemas
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Gilliam/Jones — 'Tis but a scratch!' The Pythons' medieval masterpiece.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Jim Sharman — Tim Curry in fishnets. Midnight cult classic born in Britain.
Barry Lyndon
Stanley Kubrick — Kubrick's painterly period piece. Underrated masterwork.
Tommy
Ken Russell — Major UK release — TMDB 6.5
Rollerball
Norman Jewison — Major UK release — TMDB 6.3
What was on TV
Fawlty Towers
1975-1979 — John Cleese's masterpiece. 'Don't mention the war!' Only 12 episodes. All perfect.
The Good Life
1975-1978 — Tom and Barbara's self-sufficient suburban dream.
Space: 1999
1975-1977 — Gerry Anderson's live-action sci-fi. Moon base drama.
How much things cost
Currency: GBP
Pint of milk7p
Pint of bitter17p
Average house£11,787
Loaf of bread15p
Inflation: 24.2%
Stagflation. Oil crisis aftermath. The three-day week was fresh in memory. Britain felt broken.
Then vs. Now
Inflation-adjusted values
Pint of milkONS
1975 (GBP)
7p
→
Today's value (£)
--
Pint of bitterBBPA
1975 (GBP)
17p
→
Today's value (£)
--
Average houseONS
1975 (GBP)
£11,787
→
Today's value (£)
--
Loaf of breadONS
1975 (GBP)
15p
→
Today's value (£)
--
Technology
Concorde enters service
The supersonic jet began limited flights — Paris to Rio, London to Bahrain.
Home computers
The Altair 8800 launched in the US — British hobbyists took notice.
Space Hoppers
Orange bouncing balls were in every garden. Peak 70s toy.
Pop Culture
Fashion
Flared trousers at maximum widthPlatform shoesKipper tiesFeather cuts
Slang
Groovy— Cool, hip
Naff— Uncool, tasteless
Brilliant— Excellent, great
Behavior
- Punk was brewing underground — anger at the establishment growing
- The three-day week (1974) had left scars on national confidence
- Inflation made everyday shopping an anxiety
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