History
Your students can use their study of history to gain insight into life in times past and the products that were then available to meet people's needs and wants. People's basic needs have not changed through the decades but what they can use to meet those needs depends on the technology available at the time and how accessible it was to particular groups of people. The recent impact and pervasiveness of electronic products can be explored through historical post world war two studies.
English
Your students can use fictional accounts of living now and in the past to gain insights into peoples needs and wants.