Vintage articles and more in the Topics category at Click Americana

Orange and green vintage Space Fidgit - Fidget toys

Space Fidgit – the cosmic color-changing disc toy from the ’70s and ’80s

Remember that little round toy from the seventies where you pressed on the back with your finger to squish stuff around and it changed colors? They were called Space Fidgits, and you can find out more about 'em here.

Everyone’s favorite instant pets: The (not so) amazing live Sea-Monkeys

'Just add water and you've got instant life!' they said. 'Over 150 amazing Sea-Monkeys born ALIVE before YOUR eyes!' But, oh, the disappointment when the critters didn't look anything like the pictures on the package.

Dorothy with the Wicked Witch and Glinda - Wizard of Oz

Behind the scenes of The Wizard of Oz movie (1939)

The magic of modern moviemaking at its miracle best breathes life into that beloved classic of childhood. Take a look behind the scenes of The Wizard of Oz in this story from the film's debut in 1939!

Nikola Tesla on an iPad - Click Americana

100 years ago, did Nikola Tesla predict the iPad, Skype, mobile phones & more? (1915)

How much of today's tech did Nikola Tesla predict a century ago? Here's a look back at some spot-on predictions from Nikola Tesla -- along with a few, that, well... we haven't quite seen yet.

I Love Lucy debuts, and a leading TV critic hates it (1951)

"I Love Lucy," a domestic comedy TV series, reduces the role of husband to roughly that of the male spider, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if, at the end of the season, Miss Ball ate him.

The Wizard of Oz - Follow the yellow brick road

See the wonderful Wizard of Oz trailer – plus ads from its premiere (1939)

Amazing sights to see! The tornado – Munchkinland – Horse of a Different Color – Startling balloon ascent – Flying monkeys – Trees that talk and throw apples – More, more, more!!! It's all in "The Wizard of Oz."

A mid-century modern home design & decor for a hip young family (1965)

This mid-century modern home design was created for a busy family of five, and in addition to the spacious floorplan, it glows with light, from huge windows and stunning clerestories.

Thomas Alva Edison holding an incandescent lightbulb c1911

Thomas Edison says electricity will cure everything (1914)

Electricity will cure all the ills of the world, predicts Thomas Edison, whose inventive genius is responsible for the widespread application of electricity.

Stick-on home decorating: Get some Flair Squares on your walls (’70s & ’80s)

See some vintage DuPont Flair Squares wall coverings - sticky squares of vinyl wallpaper that used to be super-popular. They were an easy way to DIY some home decor in the '70s and '80s.

Debbie Harry & Blondie have the punk rock moves (1977)

The band Blondie was discovered one night by some wealthy people out slumming after the theatre, and hired to perform at a party in a posh apartment.

Old silent movies: Why so many classic films have been lost

Silent movies were not part of a primitive style of filmmaking, but an alternate form of storytelling - with artistic triumphs equivalent to or greater than those of the sound films that followed.

Go oh-so-retro and wallpaper your ceiling like they did in the ’70s

Why stop with the walls when decorating your home when you can add color and flair up high? Here are some retro examples and home decor tips on how to wallpaper your ceiling!

Jell-O Rainbow poke cake recipe (1982)

What will you find at the end of the rainbow? More smiles than ever. Here's an easy recipe for a fun and fruity rainbow poke cake you can make with your favorite Jell-o flavors!

Jell-O pudding Stripe-It-Rich poke cakes (1982)

Stripe-it-Rich pudding poke cakes make ordinary cakes extraordinary. It's easy! Use the Jell-O instant pudding mixture to frost, fill and stripe. Here's how.

Vintage Toys R Us catalog: ’80s Out of this World Toy Book (1986)

Take a look back at the latest and greatest toys from 1986 in this vintage Toys R Us catalog they called the '80s Out of this World Toy Book.

Carve your own happy jack-o’-lantern Halloween decorations (1959)

When jack-o'-lantern carving time rolls around, conjure up your own designs, or try one of these that use pumpkins or squash!

So this happened… 12 too-cute engagement stories from the ’20s

"How did he propose?" was asked in a series of nationally-syndicated newspaper columns during the early 1920s. Here's a selection of some of the best engagement stories - from the sweet and simple to the too-cute-for-words.

Easy Chicken Cacciatora recipe from 1962

Easy Chicken Cacciatora recipes (1962)

Chicken Cacciatora, as it is called, is sometimes also known as 'Chicken Hunter Style.' The latter is the literal translation of the original Italian name of the dish, 'Pollo alla Cacciatora.'

Charming & classic All-American suburban houses from 1919

Early in the 20th century, there was an interesting development in American home life -- people started moving from the city out to the suburban districts and small towns. See some classic All-American suburban houses from that era here!

Colorful 70s fashions for women from 1974

Relax – skinny is out of style (1974)

If you're making yourself miserable because you can't diet your size-12 figure down to a size 8, relax. Skinny is out of style.

The ’50s Hula Hoop fad gets millions twirling and whirling (1958)

A simple and inexpensive new toy - known as the Hula Hoop - has thousands of the nation's children and many of its adults shaking their hips to make the hoop spin.

Last known photo of the Titanic before it sank

The Titanic’s last desperate SOS messages sent as the ship was sinking (1912)

Repeated, desperate SOS calls were heard by at least 10 ships, which rushed to the scene as the Titanic, the biggest most luxurious ship in the world, sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

Sonny and Cher’s hit TV variety show: Music, comedy & divorce (1976)

In the early '70s, Sonny and Cher turned to television, and to everyone's surprise, became the hit of the 1971 season, paving the way for many other successful musical variety shows on TV.

Will the two-dollar bill make a comeback?

The $2 bill, among the most maligned and rarest denominations of paper currency, is on the way back.

Tourist photos of the World Trade Center (before 9/11)

Here’s a selection of photos taken by visitors to NYC who snapped pictures of the impressively tall twin towers of the World Trade Center during the months and years before they fell.

Fashion designer Arnold Scaasi: Floods of colorful clothing for 1961

Color, color, color! Has there ever been such a season in the history of fashion when so many beautiful colors have appeared on the scene at once? Used together or separately, no wardrobe is complete today without the little colored dress!

How to make a space-saving guest wall for visitors (1961)

Here's an idea designed to make one room serve two purposes . . . a cozy, practical family room, plus well-planned facilities for extra guests or family additions.

The Galveston Hurricane of 1900: See how the Texas city was destroyed by the killer storm and flood

The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 - the deadliest natural disaster in United States history - after which floods swept thousands of people to their death, and many more left homeless as millions of dollars worth of property was destroyed.

Vintage Halloween party table decorations

4 festive Halloween party table decorations & menu plans (1912)

Boo! If you're having friends over for some spooky fun, look here for four different hauntingly creative Halloween party table decorations! These vintage menu suggestions and decor ideas are just as fun and festive today as ever.

Love’s Baby Soft: Because innocence is sexier than you think? Eww. (’70s & ’80s)

Love's Baby Soft hit the market in the mid-'70s with a creepy ad campaign with lines like 'that irresistible, clean-baby smell, grown-up enough to be sexy' and 'innocence is sexier than you think.' So how did America respond?

Amerigo Vespucci - Martin Waldseemüller map in color

How did America get its name? Find out, plus see some of the oldest maps of the United States

How did America get its name? The man from whom the continents got their names was an especially fascinating character of the late 15th century.

Kermit, Miss Piggy and Jim Henson bring ‘The Muppet Show’ to life (1976-1981)

There's an all-new all-family comedy-musical-variety series - 'The Muppet Show,' the latest offering from Jim Henson. Find out about the show, and see the opening credits and theme song lyrics here!

How the Weepuls were won (1986)

Why so much excitement? Because the teacher brings a basket brimming with weepuls -- doughnut-hole-sized bits of brightly colored fur with shaky eyes and sticky feet.

Walls with a fashion future! Vintage wallpaper samples from 1940

These 72 wonderful wallpaper samples come straight from the forties, when wallpaper was all the rage.

Creedence Clearwater Revival runs a rock ‘n’ roll factory (1971)

Unlike most rock groups, Creedence Clearwater Revival doesn't even have a booking agency or a manager, yet they are currently the most successful pop-rock group in the world - and the richest.