With the exception of a few skyline adjustments and poorly paved roads, Pittsburgh generally looks the same now as it did in the 1970’s. There’s one major difference between the ‘Burgh of yesteryear and that of today: the old ‘Burgh was actually an awesome place to live. This is why Pittsburghers like the 70’s.
In the 70’s, Pittsburgh was a prosperous Rome, and Three Rivers Stadium was its coliseum. The Steelers played four Super Bowl winning seasons during the 70’s at Three Rivers, which explains the swarms of crying Pittsburgh men when the stadium was demolished. This was also the last era in which the Pirates won World Series titles—a feat that today is considered impossible even by the most hopeful fans.
Pittsburghers also like the 70’s because the steel industry was still alive. This was before the days of mill closures, gigantic layoffs, and rap music (three things that traditional Pittsburghers associate with the downturn of the city). In the 70’s, Pittsburghers had steady incomes and were able to enjoy excesses of the decade like Zeppelin concerts, Dodge Chargers, and Bolivian marching powder (aka. the Devil’s dandruff). But all the trophies, pennants, and rings were soon meaningless as Pittsburgh economically burned like Gomorrah.
To this day, Pittsburghers have this deeply spiritual belief that the city will one day (possibly at the end of time) return to its glorified state, and all Pittsburghers, past, present, and future, will return to the promised land—the Garden of Iron. Some believe that the championship titles of the new millennium fulfill ancient prophecies written on a Terrible Towel which mention events that will usher in prosperity before the New Age of Steel. Pittsburghers’ liking for the 70’s is merely an adoration of hope.
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