Women were finally entitled to equal pay (whether they got it or not was a different matter), the first kidney transplant was televised and dog spectacles were patented.

Womblemania hit Britain, and building blocks had never been so much fun. Lego was Toy of the Year for the second year running and parents had to get used to finding lumps of plastic embedded in their bruised feet.

The wedge-shaped Lotus Esprit, which later found fame as James Bond�s ride in "For Your Eyes Only", was launched. Sadly conventional models would not operate under water.

The pop video was born. A seven minute rock opera complete with dodgy visuals gave Freddie Mercury�s Queen their first number one single, "Bohemian Rhapsody".

The world was in danger of exploding in a burst of static as polyester ruled disco fashion. Only animals wore fur, as lobbyists took to throwing blood or paint over wealthy women draped in dead fox or mink.