From Chipsticks to Frazzles and Hedgehogs, the humble crisps packet has become a nostalgic treasure trove of Britain's snacking past. The latest release in this delightful genre - UK Crisp Packets 1970-2000 - delves into the colourful world of crisps designs that once tantalized our taste buds, transporting us back to a bygone era where childhood treats were not only tasty but also beautifully packaged.
For many, the sight of these retro packets is like stepping into a time machine. There's Monster Munch with its smoky spider flavour that would make even the most adventurous eaters raise an eyebrow, while Bovril crisps cooked to perfection to celebrate Back to the Future evoke memories of thrilling movie nights. Then, of course, there are the iconic hedgehog flavours and Wallace and Gromit-themed snacks - including a corn snack inspired by moon cheese collected in A Grand Day Out.
Artist Chris Packet's fascination with these packets began when he stumbled upon an old Space Raiders packet while exploring a disused train tunnel in London. The packet, buried beneath dirt and debris, revealed its vibrant design, complete with Alien-like graphics. This chance discovery sparked a new passion, prompting Packet to scour the internet for more crisps packets, buying them from collectors and scouring local markets.
Packet's book celebrates not only the designs but also the lettering, illustrations, cartoons, and styles that defined these snacks' packaging. An early packet of Discos boasts wavy lines, 3D lettering, and sharp design reminiscent of a record sleeve. Odduns, a cheeseburger flavour potato snack, features an impossible triangular shape, while Space Raiders proudly wears its Alien-inspired logo.
Packet's work serves as a tribute to the golden era of crisps packaging that predated the digital age. "After 2000," he notes, "packets just lost something." The shift from hand-drawn designs to computer-aided models resulted in a loss of character and detail, leaving behind only bland, uniform aesthetics.
Academic Annebella Pollen's foreword highlights the significance of these humble packets as cultural artifacts. She argues that these snacks embody an alternative history, reflecting societal shifts, such as the increasing awareness of childhood obesity and the shift towards healthier eating habits. UK Crisp Packets 1970-2000 is more than just a nostalgic trip; it's also a commentary on the fleeting nature of design trends and the passing of cultural milestones.
For many, crisps nostalgia hits hard because these snacks evoke memories of autonomy, choice, and independence - those early moments when children could pick their own treats from the tuck shop or decide how to spend their first 10p. As we fill these empty packets with memories, we're reminded that even the most mundane objects can hold profound significance in our lives.
UK Crisp Packets 1970-2000 is a must-have for anyone who grew up snacking on crisps and remembers the thrill of collecting rare flavours or chasing after limited-edition designs. This book celebrates not only the design world but also our collective cultural heritage, reminding us that sometimes it's the most unexpected treasures that hold the greatest value.
For many, the sight of these retro packets is like stepping into a time machine. There's Monster Munch with its smoky spider flavour that would make even the most adventurous eaters raise an eyebrow, while Bovril crisps cooked to perfection to celebrate Back to the Future evoke memories of thrilling movie nights. Then, of course, there are the iconic hedgehog flavours and Wallace and Gromit-themed snacks - including a corn snack inspired by moon cheese collected in A Grand Day Out.
Artist Chris Packet's fascination with these packets began when he stumbled upon an old Space Raiders packet while exploring a disused train tunnel in London. The packet, buried beneath dirt and debris, revealed its vibrant design, complete with Alien-like graphics. This chance discovery sparked a new passion, prompting Packet to scour the internet for more crisps packets, buying them from collectors and scouring local markets.
Packet's book celebrates not only the designs but also the lettering, illustrations, cartoons, and styles that defined these snacks' packaging. An early packet of Discos boasts wavy lines, 3D lettering, and sharp design reminiscent of a record sleeve. Odduns, a cheeseburger flavour potato snack, features an impossible triangular shape, while Space Raiders proudly wears its Alien-inspired logo.
Packet's work serves as a tribute to the golden era of crisps packaging that predated the digital age. "After 2000," he notes, "packets just lost something." The shift from hand-drawn designs to computer-aided models resulted in a loss of character and detail, leaving behind only bland, uniform aesthetics.
Academic Annebella Pollen's foreword highlights the significance of these humble packets as cultural artifacts. She argues that these snacks embody an alternative history, reflecting societal shifts, such as the increasing awareness of childhood obesity and the shift towards healthier eating habits. UK Crisp Packets 1970-2000 is more than just a nostalgic trip; it's also a commentary on the fleeting nature of design trends and the passing of cultural milestones.
For many, crisps nostalgia hits hard because these snacks evoke memories of autonomy, choice, and independence - those early moments when children could pick their own treats from the tuck shop or decide how to spend their first 10p. As we fill these empty packets with memories, we're reminded that even the most mundane objects can hold profound significance in our lives.
UK Crisp Packets 1970-2000 is a must-have for anyone who grew up snacking on crisps and remembers the thrill of collecting rare flavours or chasing after limited-edition designs. This book celebrates not only the design world but also our collective cultural heritage, reminding us that sometimes it's the most unexpected treasures that hold the greatest value.
, but when you look at it from a bigger picture perspective, like, what's the value of these retro packets? Is it just about nostalgia or is it something more? It's interesting to see how artists and collectors are giving these packets new life and giving us a glimpse into our collective cultural past. I mean, who would've thought that crisps packets could be an "alternative history" of sorts 
Those crisps packets were like little pieces of freedom, you know?
Those designs and lettering, they told stories about the snacks themselves, their branding, and the culture around them.
It's all about perspective, right?
They're like, so nostalgic and retro, you know? I mean, who didn't love munching on a bag of Monster Munch or Space Raiders back in the day? 
And, dude, I'm with Chris Packet on this one... after 2000, crisps packets just got so boring and uniform. Where's the character? 
And, for real, crisps nostalgia hits hard 'cause they remind us of our childhood freedom to choose whatever we want. 
I mean, who didn't spend their lunch money on a bag of crisps or try to collect all the different flavors? 
It's like, these snacks are more than just food - they're memories! 
i mean, monster munch with smoky spider flavor is straight fire 
and wallace & gromit themed snacks are everything 
but what's really cool is how it's not just about the designs but also the lettering and illustrations that made these packs so iconic. 
Those were the days, right? 
. They're a reminder that even the smallest things can hold a lot of significance in our lives 
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. If you grew up snacking on crisps, you're gonna love this book! It's like a big ol' hug from your childhood self 
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. The designs on those old packets are straight fire 
. Chris Packet's work is like a love letter to the golden era of crisps packaging 
. It's not just about the retro designs; it's also about how those little packets reflected our society back then - childhood obesity, healthier eating habits... 
.
That smoky spider flavor is wild! And Bovril crisps with the Back to the Future movie nights vibe... it's like a taste of nostalgia just waiting to be devoured. 
The artist Chris Packet did an amazing job collecting all these old packets and turning them into a book - it's like a time capsule for our snack-filled childhoods! 
All these new packets look so bland compared to the old ones. I mean, who needs computer-aided designs when you've got hand-drawn awesomeness? 
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what a blast from the past
And have you seen the Discos packet with its wavy lines and 3D lettering? It's like a record sleeve come to life 
. This book is more than just a nostalgic trip, it's also a commentary on how design trends can change so quickly 
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. It's like we've lost that special something in packaging - a bit of personality, whimsy, or just plain fun 
).
! Anyway, it just goes to show that even in the digital age, there's still value in preserving design trends and cultural artifacts... and who knows, maybe we'll get a sequel covering 2000-2025 crisps packets 
The way the article highlights the shift from hand-drawn designs to computer-aided models is also a cool commentary on design trends and cultural milestones. It's like, we were so focused on progress that we lost something special along the way...
It's a great commentary on how design trends and cultural milestones can change so quickly.
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