James Garner rose from Oklahoma to become a beloved TV and film star, known for Maverick, The Rockford Files and a career built on authenticity.
Culture & lifestyle
Vintage entertainment, crafts & pop culture from the past – it’s the retro life!
Dungeons & Dragons changed how a generation played — and socialized. See vintage ads, photos and original articles from the game’s heyday.
Lizzie Borden, a double murder, and a verdict that stunned the nation. See original 1892 news coverage and decades of follow-up on America’s most infamous case.
Debuting in 1976, the classic TV series Charlie’s Angels was widely popular with viewers, eventually becoming a cult classic favorite and spawning feature films and reboots.
The word ‘flapper’ as used today in reference to a woman from the 1920s, has a much broader definition than how the term was originally used. So what is a flapper, then? Find out here.
Meet Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia in Golden Girls — where friendship knows no age. A TV classic with wit, heart, and a whole lot of cheesecake.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Hollywood’s biggest gamble of 1937. See how critics, artists & audiences really reacted when it hit theaters.
The range of 1950s board games surprises people — cold war strategy to Candy Land. See the vintage ads and box art from a prolific decade of family game night.
Who’s behind those Foster Grants? See the popular vintage sunglasses of the stars in the 1960s & 70s
Foster Grants sunglasses built one of the most iconic ad campaigns of the ’60s & ’70s, starring Mia Farrow, Raquel Welch & more.
James Brown went from shining shoes in Augusta to selling out arenas nationwide. See the vintage photos & press clippings that tell his real story.
Ford LTD took a defiant stance as rivals downsized in the late ’70s. See the original ads that tell the whole story.
Explore the legacy of Police Woman, a groundbreaking show that introduced audiences to Sgt. “Pepper” Anderson and inspired a generation of female-led dramas.
Golf ball history goes from hand-stuffed feathers to rubber cores to space-age solids — and the story is wilder than you’d expect.
Phonograph history comes alive with Edison’s original ads & the story of how a talking machine changed everything about sound.
Nash cars were unlike anything else on the road in the 1950s. See the ads and photos that show what made the Airflyte, Metropolitan and Ambassador so unforgettable.
CBS radio shows in the 1950s & ’60s had news, comedy, drama and sports — and they basically invented the formats we still love today.
Spaceballs, Mel Brooks’ 1987 sci-fi spoof, took aim at Star Wars & Hollywood itself. See the original poster, stills & a period review.
VW bus nostalgia is real — here’s the history behind the iconic van that won over families, road-trippers and everyone in between.
Vintage license plates tell the real story of American car culture — from wild state designs to a 50-state size standoff. See 200+ examples here.
Rolling hoops were a go-to childhood obsession for generations — here’s the fascinating history behind this classic outdoor toy.
Somewhere in Time (1980) blended time travel and sweeping romance at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.
Jeep Cherokee grew from a 1960s trail-ready wagon into a defining 1980s SUV. See vintage models and classic ads from its early decades.
John Stamos rose from 1980s soap star to Full House icon and touring musician. Here’s how his career shaped modern TV nostalgia.
The Outsiders starred several young actors on their way to fame: Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, C Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze and Tom Cruise.
Daylight Savings Time reshaped American work and leisure in 1918. See how it was sold to the public and why it mattered.
Look back at The Rockford Files, the classic James Garner detective series that reshaped TV crime drama — plus what to know about the newly announced reboot.
Explore the history of vintage beaded curtains — from early room dividers to their 1960s surge — and see why this flexible decor trend never fully went away.
H G Wells interviewed civil rights leader Booker T Washington, and wrote: ‘Every such man stands… fighting against foul imaginations, misrepresentations, injustice, insult, and the naive unspeakable meannesses of base antagonists.’
The Pet Rock concept traces the 1975 fad that made millions — and now includes its 2026 comeback sparked by Taylor Swift’s Opalite video.
If you were alive in the 1970s & 1980s, you know that vintage 7-Eleven stores were the corner grocery — as well as a place for kids to hang out. Here are dozens of old photos so you can take a look back!
In this vintage Peanuts TV special from the sixties, You’re in Love, Charlie Brown, only two school days remain before summer vacation starts, and time is running out. See the cartoon here!
The basic concept hasn’t changed much in 100 years, but vintage Erector Sets like these are still popular, still inspiring creativity, and still being used to build everything from mini roller coasters to motorized robots.
How to choose a husband? Whatever you do, do not marry a man who claims to be a saint. He lives too much in his own imagination of himself. He is nearly always an unconscious or a subconscious hypocrite.
For Valentine’s Day or any day, you can re-create these pretty heart cross-stitch patterns with these designs and directions from 1955.
Find out about The Muppet Show, an all-family comedy-musical-variety TV series from the ’70s & ’80s, and see the opening credits and theme song lyrics here!
Joe Namath’s guarantee before Super Bowl III became one of the most famous moments in football history after the Jets upset the Colts in 1969.
See classic 1960s Ford Mustangs and discover how this pony car became an enduring symbol of style, performance and American automotive culture.
There’s a lot of magic and humor practiced in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Written and directed by John Hughes, this energetic and offbeat comedy captures the best feelings about being young.
George Takei looks back on playing Sulu, the rise of Star Trek fandom and how the series influenced his life long after the Enterprise left TV screens.
Barbra Streisand’s rising star in the early 1960s changed what Broadway stardom looked like — see how her career took off before the icon era began.
The original REO Speedwagon truck was a sturdy work vehicle long before it was a band name — see vintage ads and photos from the 1920s and 1930s.
Vanning has become an American craze. Today it means to personalize a common van and build a lifestyle around it. Throngs of Americans are doing it. A key feature of the outing is the mutual admiration of vans and the adorning artwork.
Houdini escaped jails, handcuffs and questions — and never gave up how. Here’s the story of the man who built a career out of staying untouchable.
The fans voted, the mailbags were full, and these were the hottest teen stars of the 80s — straight from Teen Beat’s first Teen Star Awards in 1984.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks mixed wartime England with magic, music and animation in a film that flew into theaters in 1971 with Angela Lansbury at the helm.
Take a look back at 1950s Cadillacs — the bold, bright cars that became a symbol of American style, luxury and success.
Dick York on Bewitched made Darrin Stephens a TV icon. See the story behind his run from 1964 to 1969, plus a look at vintage photos from the set.
Explore the rise of the VCR, from high prices to home entertainment staples, and see how they reshaped how we watched TV in the 1970s and ’80s.
In 1915, The Day Book profiled “million dollar babies”—children of Astor, Vanderbilt and McLean—describing the care and wealth shaping their early lives.
Here, take a look back at the Xanadu movie – an ’80s musical that has become best known as a campy cult classic.
Do you remember Shrinky Dinks? They were DIY crafts that could be made by coloring on a plastic sheet, cutting out the various shapes, and then shrinking them down using heat.
How The Misfits became the last film for both Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe — capturing final performances shaped by real-life turmoil and change.
Explore antique car accessories from 1913, when clocks, vases and “Speed Imps” were all part of the motoring experience.
Maverick reshaped the 1950s TV Western with humor, poker and self-aware scripts. See how the series stood apart from the pack.
This vintage printable calendar clipart from 1964 includes month-by-month retro icons you can use in planners, crafts, or to decorate your own calendar.
Flower meanings played a big role in 1897 New Year’s greetings. See how bouquets carried wishes, feelings and social signals.
These 80s Christmas cards featured beloved TV and comic strip characters like Garfield, Snoopy, and the Care Bears in their holiday best.
A shrimp Christmas tree appetizer is a scene-stealer and a real buffet beauty, certain to cast a special charm over any holiday party – yet so easy to do! Here’s how.
See how Christmas ribbon craft projects from 1963 brought color and cheer to holiday homes with DIY decorations, all made from simple materials.
Tissue paper, scissors, tape — see how creative gift wrap turns basic supplies into bold designs with these classic tissue pouf ideas.
A man gave birth to a mouse. The mouse built the man an empire. The true-life fable of Mickey Mouse, as recounted by Walt Disney’s official biographer.
Here are some crafty fabric Christmas ornaments you can make yourself. There are five different designs using an inexpensive patchwork design.
This 1914 message introduced “Thanks-Living” — a practical take on Thanksgiving gratitude that still holds up.
1950s TV sets brought bold design and big features into American homes, reshaping how families watched, gathered and spent time together.
Chevy Chevelle cars from the ’60s and ’70s brought big power and bold style to the mid-size market. See how these classics defined American driving fun.
Before Flipper was a hit TV show, Luke Halpin appeared as Sandy Ricks in two movies, Flipper and Flipper’s New Adventure!
Even before she wrote Little Women, she was eminent in her family… Louisa May Alcott was a big, lovable, tender-hearted, generous girl, with black hair, thick and long, and flashing, humorous black eyes.
Bruce Lee became a global sensation with his kung fu films — then died days before his big Hollywood debut. Here’s how he got there.
Each of these 1920s house styles tells its own story & showcases the creativity of the era. Many even helped shape how suburbs look today. Let’s take a closer look!
Studio ticket stubs saved by a kid in 1953 grew into a massive 10,000 piece collection of TV history
Ticket stubs from Joel Tator’s massive collection reveal what it was like to attend live TV tapings in the 1940s and 1950s.
This Day in the Life in a 1950s Small Town film from 1952 shows how postwar America taught kids about work, community and civic values.
See how horror movies evolved from silent shadows to spine-chilling scares in the 60s, through eerie posters and promos from the past.
The movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind redefined sci-fi in 1977 and sparked new interest in UFOs, aliens, and government secrets.
Explore teen Halloween party ideas from 1963 featuring spooky games, handmade decorations and festive food for a night full of fun.
With a few cardboard boxes and some aluminum foil, you can make robot costumes that will be the hit of the party. Some easy-to-make masks of aluminum foil will help to make each costume a little different.
Scooby Doo fans, here’s how a goofy cartoon dog and his mystery-solving gang turned a 1969 TV debut into decades of iconic pop culture moments.
Preserve autumn leaves the old-fashioned way with these vintage tips from 1910 using wax, gum, olive oil and a warm iron.
See how Halloween costume patterns from the 1970s helped families sew creative costumes with superheroes, animals, and more homemade classics.
See how the 1950 film A Date with Your Family helped define the perfect 1950s family — and why it needed to remind people how to behave at the dinner table.
Jackie Gleason — born Herbert Walton Gleason Jr. on February 26, 1916, in Brooklyn — became one of America’s most recognizable personalities by mixing bold
Take a trip back to 1980s video games, when home consoles filled family rooms with joysticks, cartridges and pixelated adventures.
What was life like in 1900? Step into everyday life back then—work, school, clothes, streets—and see how America looked at the turn of the century.
Shirley Temple rose from Hollywood child star to political powerhouse. Here’s how she spent her life after leaving the big screen behind.
See the history of the Buick Skylark from the ’60s to the ’90s, with vintage photos and ads that show how this classic car kept changing with the times.
Rube Goldberg turned a desk prank into a cartoon legacy filled with wild machines, clever comedy and an unexpected path to fame.
Despite a spectacularly expensive launch, the 1950s Ford Edsel automobile was one of the greatest business failures of all time. Take a look back at these vintage cars here!
Big screen TV once meant something very different. From 17-inch Crosleys to giant projection sets, see how “big” looked from the 1950s to the 1990s.
Young actor River Phoenix was on the rise until the unthinkable happened By the late 1980s, River Phoenix had become one of the most talked-about
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.
Hilarious vintage ads from the ‘60s to ‘80s show how brands used humor, awkward charm, and bold claims to sell just about anything.
Candice Bergen grew up Hollywood royalty, dodged the spotlight, then became a star on her own terms — see her early career and offbeat rise to fame.
Cracker Jack became a pop culture icon with its caramel popcorn, peanuts and surprise prizes. See how this vintage snack won America’s heart.
Romper Room brought preschool to TV screens across America — explore how this unique show shaped early childhood learning for millions of kids.
Keds sneakers have been a go-to for generations. See how this classic shoe evolved from 1916 to the 1980s with vintage styles, ads and fun throwbacks.
Discover the most popular dog names from the 1950s to the 1970s, collected from vintage records, contests and real-life hero pups.
After a teen gets a record score on a video game called The Last Starfighter, an intergalactic visitor tells him the game was just a test – and asks him to come help fight a space battle.
Discover old-fashioned activities for kids from the ’60s that still inspire fun, creativity and imagination today — no screens required.
See vintage Disneyland in its earliest days, with rare photos and stories from the park’s 1955 opening through its first years of magic.
