This Pennzoil ad from 1943 used a fun Rube Goldberg cartoon to push a serious message
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This Pennzoil ad from 1943 used a fun Rube Goldberg cartoon to push a serious message
This classic Pennzoil ad from 1943 features Rube Goldberg and a wartime message about saving gas, with a wild cartoon and some solid engine advice.
Popular teen fashions by decade: How clothes told your entire high school story in the 1920s-70s
Explore teen fashions through the decades and see how high school style shaped identity, cliques, and culture from the 1930s to the 1970s.
When Baby Boomers were babies: Adorable baby & family pictures from the 1940s & 1950s
When Baby Boomers were babies, everyday life for young families was shaped by postwar optimism, shifting expectations and the growing influence of expert parenting advice.
Cracker Jack: The sweet history behind Cracker Jack prizes & the popular old popcorn treat
Cracker Jack became a pop culture icon with its caramel popcorn, peanuts and surprise prizes. See how this vintage snack won America's heart.
Vintage basement decor from the ’40s & ’50s: See 25 creative remodels
Explore vintage basement decor from the 40s & 50s—ideas for laundry, hobbies, games and lounging, plus photos and articles to inspire your own basement makeover.
12 easy Spam recipes & meal ideas your (great) grandparents swore by (and you might too)
What can you make with Spam? According to these retro Spam recipes - what *can't* you make with it?! Check out these easy vintage how-tos here.
Dr Pepper history: How the famous soft drink made a big name for itself starting in 1885
Explore Dr Pepper history from its quirky origin story to its fizzy rise as America’s oldest major soft drink.
Gorgeous women’s shoes from the 1940s: See stylish high-heeled vintage footwear
These beautiful women's shoes from the 1940s - pumps of leather and suede, high heels in white & black, blue and red - would still make a stylish statement today.
Vintage dog food: 40 old ads let you see what’s changed (and hasn’t) over the years
What were mutts and pedigreed pups eating in the '40s-'80s? Here's a look back at vintage dog food print ads & TV commercials you might remember.
1950s home workshop organization: Inspiring ideas for DIYers that stand the test of time
From neatly organized tool racks to clever storage solutions, these 1950s (and early 60s) home workshops maximize space and productivity.
Inside a 1940s beauty salon: Perms, polish and the power of waves
Step inside a 40s beauty salon and see how women stayed stylish during WWII with perms, waves, manicures and more in our vintage photo story.
How is lipstick made? A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at 1940s lipstick production
To most American women in the 1940s, lipstick was a form of clothing - without it, they felt undressed. So how is lipstick made, anyhow? See some makeup laboratories and factories from the forties!
40+ adorable celebrity baby pictures from before these stars were famous
From Carrie Fisher to Gene Kelly, explore a gallery of celebrity baby pictures and scenes from childhood that are sure to evoke a collective "Aww!"
Folk art painting how-to: Simple & fun brushstroke secrets from the 1940s
Discover how folk art painting uses simple brushstrokes to decorate furniture and home goods, with vintage guides and designs from the 1940s and 1950s.
Fred Astaire’s Puttin’ on the Ritz moment was pure movie magic (1946)
See Fred Astaire in a clip from 1946's 'Blue Skies,' performing 'Puttin' On The Ritz' - a song associated with him like no other - and find out more about the film itself.
WWII Victory gardens from the 1940s: How people planted them, and how you can grow your own even now
During World War II, people needed to help ease the nation's burden by growing as much of their own food as possible in what they called Victory Gardens. Here's how they did it!
Where did vintage brand names like 7-Up, Formula 409 & WD-40 come from?
Have you ever wondered where products like Formula 409, 7-Up, WD-40 and Preparation H got those famous vintage brand names? Find out here.
33 retro yellow kitchens that defined midcentury style in the most cheerful way
These retro yellow kitchens - in all their buttery, warm and sunny splendor - are here for the midcentury home decor enthusiast to appreciate!
Swing dances like the Lindy Hop and jitterbugging swept through America in the 1930s and '40s. Here’s what set them apart and made them unforgettable.
How The Waltons TV show beat the odds to become one of the ’70s biggest TV hits
How The Waltons, a quiet Depression-era family drama, overcame doubts and tough competition to become one of the most beloved shows on 1970s TV.
30+ stunning vintage crystal chandeliers: Sparkle this perfect never goes out of style!
Crystal chandeliers have been a symbol of luxury and opulence since the 18th century. If you’re wondering what crystal chandeliers used to look like, take a peek below at these vintage photos!
The real story of The Sound of Music & 20 ways the popular movie got it wrong
How much does real story of The Sound of Music differ from the movie version of the von Trapp family? Take a look back at the hugely-successful musical based on their lives, and find out both fact and fiction.
These 47 dangerous old playgrounds were risky, chaotic – and totally normal
Old playgrounds were risky, thrilling and full of sharp edges — see how kids from the past played hard and (mostly) survived.
Bambi is pure Disney - a world of fun, beauty and imagination which Disney has made his own. Find out why it took so long to get just right!
Bette Davis 1940s advice column gives no-nonsense takes on wartime love & family drama
Bette Davis gave tough love in a 1940s advice column for Photoplay-Movie Mirror magazine. Here's what she told readers about wartime marriage and more.
40 vintage pinball machines from the 1940s with wild features that brought arcades to life
A whole new era of vintage pinball machines was ushered in by the Humpty Dumpty pinball machine released in 1947 - and then dozens more of the games hit the market. Take a look back!
Whitman’s Chocolates were a big deal for Mother’s Day back in the 1940s
In the early 1940s, Whitman's Chocolates heavily promoted their product as the ideal Mother's Day gift -- and they laid the guilt on thick. "There is no hurt like forgetting."
These 60+ vintage patio furniture sets - charming tables, chairs, chaises and more - were as popular in the 1940s through the 1970s as they are now.
George Burns & Gracie Allen: The wild history of comedy’s quirkiest couple (1930s-50s)
George Burns & Gracie Allen brought laughs from vaudeville to TV. See how their real-life love story made them one of comedy’s most unique duos.
The history of Levi's jeans shows that the power of a really good idea - like super-durable clothing that people like to wear - can make for a business that stays strong for more than 160 years.
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Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic, particularly with regard to health and safety, but also in terms of outdated cultural depictions and social values. Material on this site is provided for purposes of education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis. Also, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Now that you know, have fun looking around!
