Extinct Car Features Only Boomers Remember

Born in the 1940s, CB (citizens band) radios weren’t just gadgets—they were lifelines. Farmers used them to stay in touch across vast rural stretches, truckers relied on them for road updates, and even the U.S. Coast Guard turned to CB channels for quick communication.

However, it was during the 1973 Oil Crisis of the 1970s that CB radios gained mainstream use. As gas stations ran dry, drivers turned to the airwaves to share real-time updates on fuel availability. It became more than practical—it was a subculture, a lifeline, and for a time, the voice of the open road.