The Golden Age of Crisps: A Treasure Trove of Forgotten Snacks
In a nostalgic tribute to the golden age of crisps, a new book delves into the vibrant, sometimes bizarre world of crisp packet design. 'UK Crisp Packets 1970-2000' is a 140-page compendium that celebrates the colorful, playful, and occasionally wild designs that adorned UK snack packets during this period.
The book's author, Chris Packet, an artist with a background in graffiti and art, has spent years scouring the internet for rare and unique crisp packet finds. His journey began when he stumbled upon a decades-old pickled onion Space Raiders packet, still intact in a disused train tunnel in London. This discovery sparked a passion that led him to collect and study over 200 packets from the 1970s to the 1990s.
The book is a testament to Packet's dedication to preserving a piece of snack history. Each packet features its own unique design, ranging from straightforward to inspired to bizarre. You'll find iconic brands like Chipsticks, Frazzles, and Snaps, alongside lesser-known regional brands and limited-edition packets featuring characters from popular TV shows and films.
One notable example is the Space Raiders packet mentioned earlier, which boasts a striking Alien-like design. Another standout is the Monster Munch 'smoky spider flavor', an eerie concept that evokes memories of childhood snacks. Even classic flavors like Bovril and hedgehog, inspired by Wallace and Gromit's moon cheese adventure, make an appearance.
Packet's criteria for collecting packets focus on the artwork, lettering, illustrations, and cartoon characters. He cites Brett Ewins' original Space Raiders design as a prime example of what he believes was lost in modern packaging. "It's like they've forgotten about the art of design," he says.
The book also touches on the cultural significance of crisp packets. Professor Annebella Pollen, author of the foreword, notes that these humble packets contain 'cultural detritus', yet hold an alternative history of the past four decades. The removal of regional independent companies and the shift in snack marketing targeting children are just two aspects explored by Pollen.
UK Crisp Packets 1970-2000 is more than a nostalgic tribute – it's an ode to childhood memories, autonomy, and early choices that shape our lives. As you browse through the book's colorful pages, you'll discover a world of forgotten snacks that once brought joy to millions.
In a nostalgic tribute to the golden age of crisps, a new book delves into the vibrant, sometimes bizarre world of crisp packet design. 'UK Crisp Packets 1970-2000' is a 140-page compendium that celebrates the colorful, playful, and occasionally wild designs that adorned UK snack packets during this period.
The book's author, Chris Packet, an artist with a background in graffiti and art, has spent years scouring the internet for rare and unique crisp packet finds. His journey began when he stumbled upon a decades-old pickled onion Space Raiders packet, still intact in a disused train tunnel in London. This discovery sparked a passion that led him to collect and study over 200 packets from the 1970s to the 1990s.
The book is a testament to Packet's dedication to preserving a piece of snack history. Each packet features its own unique design, ranging from straightforward to inspired to bizarre. You'll find iconic brands like Chipsticks, Frazzles, and Snaps, alongside lesser-known regional brands and limited-edition packets featuring characters from popular TV shows and films.
One notable example is the Space Raiders packet mentioned earlier, which boasts a striking Alien-like design. Another standout is the Monster Munch 'smoky spider flavor', an eerie concept that evokes memories of childhood snacks. Even classic flavors like Bovril and hedgehog, inspired by Wallace and Gromit's moon cheese adventure, make an appearance.
Packet's criteria for collecting packets focus on the artwork, lettering, illustrations, and cartoon characters. He cites Brett Ewins' original Space Raiders design as a prime example of what he believes was lost in modern packaging. "It's like they've forgotten about the art of design," he says.
The book also touches on the cultural significance of crisp packets. Professor Annebella Pollen, author of the foreword, notes that these humble packets contain 'cultural detritus', yet hold an alternative history of the past four decades. The removal of regional independent companies and the shift in snack marketing targeting children are just two aspects explored by Pollen.
UK Crisp Packets 1970-2000 is more than a nostalgic tribute – it's an ode to childhood memories, autonomy, and early choices that shape our lives. As you browse through the book's colorful pages, you'll discover a world of forgotten snacks that once brought joy to millions.
I mean, have you seen the designs on those old crisp packets? Some of it is just mental! Like this Space Raiders one with the alien face 
– what was going through the designers' minds back then?! And don't even get me started on Monster Munch's smoky spider flavor... it sounds like something a 90s kid would have dreamed up 
. But you know what? I think that's part of the charm. The imperfections, the weirdness – it's all so nostalgic and retro-cool. I've got a friend who's always on the lookout for rare packets online, and they're like a kid in a candy store whenever they find one 
. Anyways, this book is definitely worth checking out if you're feeling nostalgic for old-school snacks.
they're like mini works of art! i mean who knew those weird designs on the packets were actually meant to be cool? 
anyone else nostalgic for those old snack times? 
i mean sure its cool 2 see some retro designs but alot of them are just plain gross lol like who thought smoky spider flavor was a good idear?! 
. I feel like we've lost some of that creativity in packaging nowadays. It's all about the bland and boring now. This book is a reminder that even something as mundane as a crisp packet can hold so much nostalgia and character 
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it's wild how these designs have become so iconic now, but back then were just part of the packet packaging. i'm intrigued by the cultural significance aspect too... like, what's up with the shift towards more kid-focused marketing and the demise of regional brands 
I mean, the book is cool and all but come on, £30 for 140 pages of old snack packets? 
Get over it!
"UK Crisp Packets 1970-2000" is like a dream come true for anyone who grew up snacking on those iconic packets from Space Raiders to Monster Munch! The artwork, the designs, the illustrations... it's all just so nostalgic and retro 
I mean, who wouldn't want to see Brett Ewins' original Space Raiders design in all its glory? 
It's like a piece of history come alive on the pages of this book. And can we talk about how some of those flavors are still INSANE?! Bovril and hedgehog, anyone? 
The author Chris Packet must have spent years scouring the internet for these rare finds, and it shows just how much love and care he put into creating this compendium. I'm literally obsessed with the idea that we're losing some of that vintage design magic in modern packaging... it's like they've forgotten about the art of design 
This book is not just a nostalgic trip, but an ode to our childhoods and the choices that shaped us into who we are today. I need this book in my life ASAP 
The artwork and designs from back in the day are just iconic – I mean, have you seen a Space Raiders packet with that Alien-like design? 
Mind blown!
those alien designs from space raiders are wild 
from space raiders to monster munch, these designs are wild and wacky 
. anyway, if u love old snacks or just want to see some crazy packet art, u gotta get ur hands on this book 
#CrispPacketLove #NostalgiaIsTheBest #SnackAttack 
And I can see why Chris Packet got so passionate about collecting these packets, each one is like a little piece of history. The fact that he's preserving this part of our cultural heritage is really admirable.
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and who knows, maybe this book will inspire a new wave of designers & artists to create more amazing packaging designs 
. #CrispPacketLove #NostalgiaMode #SnackHistory
and nostalgia is just pouring out of this book... 200 packets?!?! how did Chris Packet even collect them all? 
I'm not sure what I love more, the nostalgic value or the fact that people thought smoky spider flavor was a thing 
and what's up with the Bovril packet? who comes up with this stuff?!?! 
Brett Ewins' Space Raiders design is iconic, btw 
The fact that these packets contain "cultural detritus" but hold an alternative history of the past few decades is just mind-blowing 
. But what really gets me is how much nostalgia this book brings back. I mean, who else remembers eating Monster Munch with their dad on a Sunday roast? 
And what happened to the original Space Raiders design, it's crazy that Brett Ewins' work was lost in modern packaging. But at the same time, looking through these old packets is actually kinda nostalgic and cool. It's like a window into the past when people actually cared about art and design on their snack packs.