Since The Triangle’s founding a century ago, America has seen a wide variety of trends in the realms of entertainment and culture. Some of our Entertainment writers have selected their favorite trends per decade since the first edition of The Triangle has been published to write about. Read further to learn more about trends from decades past and think about what might have been happening in culture as contributors to The Triangle worked hard to put together our newspaper. While some were certainly covered by Triangle writers past, it is interesting to ponder concurrent cultural happenings even if they were not written about.
1920s: Jordan Fink
In the 1920s, pole-sitting drew attention across the United States. Pole-sitting was initially used to promote companies or boost newspaper sales, but it quickly spread across the country. It began when stuntman Alvin “Shipwreck” Kelly was hired to sit on top of a pole for 13 hours to promote a movie. The publicity stunt quickly became a 1920s trend. Alvin “Shipwreck” Kelly, set many records, including 49 days on top of a pole in Baltimore in 1924, which drew huge crowds. Participants climbed onto tall posts, often flagpoles, and remained there for days without coming down, food delivered by rope. While they hovered over the street, crowds gathered to watch them battle fatigue and extreme weather. Local papers filled with stories about these pole sitters and published daily updates on who remained on the pole and who had given up. Eager for fame and money, participants competed to see who could last the longest. Rain or shine, it turned into a strange form of live entertainment in an era increasingly drawn to public spectacle. The craze epitomized the spirit of the 1920s, a decade obsessed with novelty and extremes and the rise of mass entertainment.
1930s: Lena Luciano
The Great Depression did not halt the robust entertainment trends of the 1930s. The decade marked a period of experimentation in Hollywood, from the rise of radio and film production to Disney’s first full-length animated feature, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Other iconic moments of the 1930s include the solidification of The Three Stooges as a comedy act and the rise of child star Shirley Temple, whose name would later be associated with the now-common nonalcoholic banquet drink (which, I would say, was a big win), as well as the release of “The Wizard of Oz” in 1939, a film defining cinematic fantasy for generations to come.
Outside of broadcast media, there were a lot of shifts in everyday trends. One of these shifts arose due to the 13-year-long Prohibition era coming to an end in 1933, reshaping the night-life scene. Swing-era dance halls and jazz lounges became extremely popular, resulting in real, human connection during a time of economic instability within the United States. Women’s fashion trends changed quite a bit from the 1920s to the 1930s as well, the 1920s being described as more “boyish” and the 1930s being described as elegant, well-fit, and inspired by Hollywood glamour. In men’s fashion during this time period, there is a similar theme; a transition from “boyish” and youthful fits to mature, comfortable looks.
Though America was consumed by the Great Depression from the start to the end of the decade, the 1930s persevered in fashion, night life, and the cinema world.
1940s: Jacob Gazes
Life in 1940s America was marked by World War II, with the lives of Americans across the country impacted by the war effort and the demands made of American citizens. As life in the United States changed, so too did the attitudes and themes present in Hollywood, with the iconic style of film noir emerging out of the turmoil. Film noir, a style of crime drama defined by its dark atmosphere and high-contrast lighting, grew out of the bleak circumstances and collective hardship felt in the US, with Hollywood directors and writers creating films that reflected such attitudes.
Additionally, as millions fled conflict, many European directors would eventually arrive in Hollywood, bringing with them their own styles and influences. Often cited as one of the most important filmmakers among those arriving in the US at the time was Fritz Lang, an Austrian born director famous for helping to develop German Expressionism, a style of film similar to film noir in its depth of emotion and unique in its abstract set design and shot composure. It was Lang and other European directors who would lay the groundwork for film noir, infusing elements of European film into American dramas.
Eventually, from the amalgamation of these influences came what many consider to be the first of the film noir style, “Stranger on the Third Floor.” Directed by Boris Ingster and released in 1940, “Stranger on the Third Floor” tells the story of a young journalist, Michael Ward, who is torn by his testament on the guilt of an accused murderer, and the subsequent investigation that ensues. Over the course of the decade, many directors would shape the genre, with other well-known film noirs such as “The Maltese Falcon” and “Double Indemnity” appearing on the big screen to thrill the numerous film goers of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
1950s: Bo Tornello
One of the major trends of the 1950s was the rise of American diners. Following World War II, the decade saw major economic growth and a subsequent cultural shift across the country. The 1950s witnessed the rise of the nuclear family, the rapid expansion of American suburbia, and the infamous baby boom. With the country’s economic success and the end of wartime rationing and restrictions, there was a significant increase in disposable income and time for recreational activities, including food. American culinary culture experienced significant change during this time, with the rise of other trends such as TV dinners and fast food. Many of the fast food companies we know and love today started during this time period.
While diners were not invented in the 1950s, this decade solidified the shift from “lunch cars” and quick meals for the working class to the staple of middle-class suburbia that people think of today, a change that had been slowly starting in the decades prior. Diners not only offered tasty food but also served as social locations where you could meet with friends or share a milkshake with a special someone. Their ability to combine food, entertainment, and socialization all into one place helped contribute to their increased popularity.
The 1950s also saw a major shift in car culture; with the rise of suburbia came the need for more cars. This was then followed by the creation of infrastructure, such as the interstate, to support the growing number of vehicles on the road. Many diners thrived off these high-traffic roads, as they became go-to spots for drivers looking for consistent and readily available meals. While not as popular as they once were, diners remain prominent establishments, many of which still embrace 1950s aesthetics reminiscent of their prime.
1960s: Audrey Scott
The 1960s were one of the most revolutionary decades in American history. The era was defined by massive political movements, some of the most iconic music ever recorded, and fashion trends that are still replicated today. While it may seem almost sacrilegious to gloss over the British Invasion’s impact on rock music or the popularization of miniskirts, this blurb instead highlights an invention created just before the decade began but fully embraced in the years that followed: the Barbie doll.
Although Barbie made her debut in 1959, it was the 1960s that cemented her place in American culture. Unlike previous dolls, which primarily portrayed babies or toddlers, Barbie represented an adult woman with a career, a wardrobe and a lifestyle. Throughout the decade, Barbie took on roles that reflected both aspiration and cultural change, appearing as a fashion model, astronaut, nurse and businesswoman.
Up until the 1960s, women were expected to be in the home or work only in very specific fields: nursing and childcare being the most common. The second-wave of the women’s rights movement occurred in the 1960, which expanded the goals of the movement beyond the fight for suffrage to equality in the workplace, family, and reproductive rights. Barbie was a revolutionary doll for young girls to play with, as she represented this fight for equality within the workplace.
As adult women in the 60s were fighting hard to expand their job opportunities, young girls were gaining confidence to follow through on the work the older generation did by playing with Barbie, who could have any career they could imagine. Barbie could be a doctor, a lawyer, a veterinarian, or all three in the span of an hour. Barbie was a feminist icon in the 60s; she represented the actualization of the goals of the second-wave women’s rights movement.
Barbie’s popularity in the 1960s also sparked conversations about femininity, independence and beauty standards that continue today. While critics pointed to her unrealistic proportions, supporters argued that Barbie encouraged imagination and ambition at a time when opportunities for women were rapidly evolving. By the end of the decade, Barbie was no longer just a toy but a cultural icon.
More than 60 years later, Barbie remains an important cultural figure; “Barbie” was even one of the most influential movies of the 2020s. The Barbie doll’s continued relevance proves that her influence — much like the 1960s themselves — is anything but fleeting.
1970s: Michal Brown Hunte
The 1970s — famous for its staples: bell bottoms, platform shoes, and the afro —- was a decade of artistic innovation and individualism. Despite the relatively bleak economic landscape, influenced by the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, the music scene was anything but.
While “disco” is practically synonymous with the 70s, it was not the only genre that flourished during this decade. Abrasive heavy metal was growing in popularity along with the more poignant, and angry punk rock which took off in the mid 70s. These darker, more aggressive sounds were a stark contrast from the grooviness of disco. Punk, famous for its anti-authoritarian and non-conformist ideals is only one genre that distinguishes the 70s as the decade of individualism and genre diversity in music. Interestingly, despite their difference in style, both the disco and punk subcultures held similar beliefs and ambitions such as civil, women’s, and LGBT rights.
Funk, Roots, Soul, Glamrock, and New Wave also grew in popularity and became defining sounds of the decade. Funk, groovy like disco and passionate like soul, is known for its syncopation, emphasis on rhythm instruments, and tempo — which is slower than disco’s. Roots, an overarching term which includes genres like folk, blues, gospel, and more, was known for its acoustic instrumentation. Roots differs greatly from the weighty loudness of heavy metal, the rawness of punk rock, or the electronics of New Wave. That said, New Wave, the ‘polished’ cousin of punk, focused on similar themes while incorporating elements of pop and electronic music. Evidently, the musical landscape of the 1970s was diverse and vast, many genres, with very different sounds, developed their own following and community. Several of these communities and subcultures have survived the test of time, and continue to accrue a following, most notably: metal, punk, and disco!
1980s: Sydney Maddox
The 1980s was a decade full of bright colors, blockbuster films, big hair, CDs, and spandex. The 80s found itself to be a major period for film, music, and entertainment, with big names such as Michael Jackson defining this time period.
The movies of the 80s were generally lighthearted and fun, a form of escapism from the rise of Reagan and conservatism. Many of the films released in the 80s, found themselves becoming classic films that many people still enjoy today. Movies such as “E.T,” “The Goonies,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Shining,” and “Back to the Future” were released at this time, along with the Disney hit, “The Little Mermaid.”
This decade also brought the rise in popularity of MTV, and with it, rap music. Rap music became widespread during this decade, with artists such as The Fresh Prince, Run-D.M.C and Queen Latifah becoming well known. This generation of rap artists are often referred to as “New School” rap, as they are the first rap artists to see such high levels of commercialization.
1990s: Ronan Brinkley
The 1990s saw a shift in many cultural trends, none of them more intriguing than the shift within the horror film genre, which saw a boost in films that were more psychological and grounded in reality. These existed on the heels of films that utilized more monstrous antagonists and defined the cultural zeitgeist of 80s horror, like John Carpenter’s “The Thing” in 1982 and Wes Craven’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” in 1984.
Like all horror, this trend was reflective of the societal fears and unease at the time. The twenty-four hour news cycle was becoming more widely popularized and at-home audiences were exposed to killer cases like those of Jeffrey Dahmer, and cases like the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders in 1991. The 90s also saw the birth of Court TV in 1992, cementing true crime as a televised staple.
Jonathan Demme’s sensational “The Silence of the Lambs” came out in 1991, which also encouraged these types of narratives, including David Fincher’s “Seven” in 1995. The affordability of serial killer horror films also played a part in their rise, which makes sense considering the indie origins most of horror’s beloved films have. While certainly not the only trend of 90s horror, these films revolutionized the genre and began a shift we can see echoes of today, as the genre continuously leans into these realistic conventions and has become something general audiences and critics take far more seriously than they used to.
2000s: Audrey Scott
The 2000s marked the beginning of a highly anticipated century. While widely accessible computers and smartphones had many people scared that the world would end at 12 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2000, the new decade arrived nonetheless and saw some trends that changed American culture. From jeans so low-rise that zipper flys were rendered useless to highlights so chunky that clients from decades past would demand a refund from their hairdresser, the era embraced bold, often baffling fashion choices that remain unforgettable to this day.
A fashion trend that became specifically notable in the 2000s was the popularization of velour tracksuits. While tracksuits were not themselves new, they were mostly associated with suburban dads or retirement community residents before Jennifer Lopez sported a pink Juicy Couture tracksuit in her “I’m Real” music video in 2001. From then on, wearing velour track suits — specifically those in hues of pink sporting the word “JUICY” in rhinestones on the rear of the pants — became synonymous with being hip. Paris Hilton, one of the it-girls of the 00s, started donning Juicy Couture tracksuits shortly after Lopez’s music video premiered and became the face of the trend. While Juicy’s remained the most coveted, velour tracksuits became omnipresent at stores throughout the aughts, including those accessible as Target.
While brightly colored and bedazzled tracksuits are no longer as omnipresent as they were in the 2000s, they lay the groundwork for the monochrome sweat sets that have become the uniform for members of Gen-Z in airports and classrooms alike. Here’s to hoping that the bedazzling will be back soon.
2010s: Bobby Saunders
By the mid-2010s, gray had become the safest color choice available. Floors, walls, couches, and kitchen cabinets defaulted to the same narrow range of tones, sold as neutral and modern. “Millennial gray” was not especially exciting, but that was largely the appeal. It signaled good taste without the risk of having one. The look spread quickly through new apartments, home renovations, and real-estate listings, helped by Pinterest boards and HGTV. Gray photographed well, matched everything, and carried a vague sense of adulthood. It was easy to live with and difficult to argue against. In hindsight, what stands out most is just how widespread it became. Entire neighborhoods seemed to adopt the same interiors, creating apartments that felt familiar before you had ever seen them. Minimalism slowly became monotony. Though the aesthetic still lingers, its peak belongs to the 2010s: a decade that played it safe.
2020s: Danny Bowen
Despite the internet having existed for decades, the 2020s marked a turning point in how the internet became integrated into almost every facet of our lives. Prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the internet quickly became a place where everyone gathered. After 2020, no platform was niche. People were making discord servers in droves and TikTok exploded in popularity. What began as a necessity quickly evolved into a social habit that many people found difficult to live without, spawning an entirely new culture of spending time online unlike anything seen before. Online platforms became commonplace for friend groups to congregate during the pandemic since everyone was shut in and had to socialize somehow. Many online trends even formed and boomed in popularity due to the collective boredom and isolation of most people in 2020.
Even after the pandemic ended, the drastic change in how we connected still has its remnants. In the years since, this digital-first way of living has only deepened. Remote work, online classes, and hybrid social spaces normalized staying connected through screens, blurring the line between online and offline life. Platforms like Discord, TikTok, and group chats remained central hubs for friendship, collaboration, and entertainment rather than temporary substitutes. Internet culture now evolves at a faster pace, with memes, trends, and movements spreading almost instantly across platforms. For many people, especially younger generations, being online is no longer an activity but a constant background presence.
As can be seen, cultural trends do not exist in isolation; they are shaped by the social, political and technological realities of their time. From pole-sitting which became popular because of the rise of mass spectacle to internet subcultures formed through shared screens and constant connectivity, each decade reflects the anxieties, hopes and innovations of the people living within it. Entertainment and culture act as both an escape from and a response to the world, whether that world is defined by economic depression, global war, rapid technological advancement, or collective isolation.
Looking back across the last century also highlights how cyclical culture can be. Fashion trends resurface with new meanings, music genres splinter and recombine, and mediums once considered revolutionary eventually become background noise. What changes most dramatically is not the desire for connection or expression, but the tools used to achieve it. Radio, film, television, and social media each transformed how people consumed culture, just as The Triangle itself has adapted alongside these shifts.
As contributors past and present worked to publish The Triangle, they were doing so within these broader cultural moments, consciously or not. Even when not directly documented in its pages, these trends shaped campus conversations, creative expression and student life. Reflecting on them now offers not just nostalgia, but perspective: an understanding of how students before us engaged with their world and how future writers might look back on ours.
At its core, this retrospective serves as a reminder that culture is always in motion. As The Triangle moves into its next century, it will continue to exist alongside — and help record — whatever trends come next.