Starting before TV was a really big thing, the old CBS Radio shows filled the airwaves with audio-only entertainment and news of every kind. Here’s a look at some of the programming!
Culture & lifestyle
Vintage entertainment, crafts & pop culture from the past – it’s the retro life!
The 1960s Dodge Chargers really began with the 1966 model, after previewing in the big auto show the year before. The cars were hugely popular, and later became even more well-known thanks to a starring role in The Dukes of Hazzard.
CHiPS, a light-hearted one-hour action-adventure series, follows the exploits of a pair of young California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers on the busy Los Angeles freeways, and their encounters with the infinite variety of people who drive there.
Take a look back at these beautiful classic 1940s Studebaker cars, which were loved by socialites and regular family folk alike. Here’s a look inside and out at these old autos!
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 Monkees may have been a prefab TV band, but there was nothing made up about their real-world success. Here’s a look back!
What were calling cards, and how were these visiting cards used by polite society back at the turn of the century? Find out!
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.
In the 1956 movie musical Carousel, Oklahoma stars Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae were again teamed up for a Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. Also see an interview with Miss Jones from the same year.
Before photography, you could keep memories of loved ones close by getting portrait miniatures painted. Now they’re highly-collectible antiques! Here’s a look at some of this classic artwork.
Here’s a cute way to upcycle an old milk carton (or even a similar juice carton). See how you can build it with this craft idea from the 1960s!
What was the Partridge Family TV series about? In an eggshell: Five siblings made the big-time playing rock ‘n’ roll music, and, led by their mom, toured the country. Squabbles, catchy tunes and hijinks ensued.
Have you ever thought about using some of the millions of pine needles that fall off the trees to make something useful? Here are more than 20 vintage pine needle crafts & decor ideas!
With this easy vintage DIY puffy happy face pin project, it’s easy to put on a happy face, a funny face, or any kind of face you fancy with soft, cuddly cotton creatures!
These pretty and old-fashioned paper Christmas ornaments are so easy to make, kids and adults can work on them together! As a bonus, they’re very cheap to create. Get directions and diagrams here.
Here’s a look back at some of the most popular automobiles for 1911 – when motor cars were still quite a novelty, and there were dozens of companies producing cars that ran on both gas and electricity.
On this 1982 sitcom, the Square Pegs were Patty Greene (a young Sarah Jessica Parker) and Lauren Hutchinson (Amy Linker). Patty was the smart, skinny, nearsighted one; Lauren was the one with baby fat and braces. The round hole was Weemawee High School.
Inspired by the success of the first modern marathon at the 1896 Olympic games, the Boston Athletic Association decided to stage their own race in April of 1897. Here’s how it went, and the winning time.
In the ’70s, there were millions of people using Vintage CB radios – having a world of conversations and learning about the important reasons to keep citizens’ band radio active.
Take a look back at these 1970s Chevrolet Caprice Classic cars, which came in both coupe and sedan models, and with new body styles that reflected driver preferences – and that offered better mileage.
Before pro football player OJ Simpson was arrested and tried for the murder of his wife, he was one of America’s top celebrities. Companies paid him to be the face of their brand… which didn’t work out well in the long run.
Through 75 artistic antique color covers of The Theatre magazine, take a peek back in time from the first decades of the twentieth century to see these classic actors & actresses who performed onstage more than 100 years ago
There were so many vintage Chevrolet station wagons back in the ’70s, including the Bel Air, Blazer, Caprice Estate , Chevelle Laguna, Chevelle Malibu Classic Estate, Impala, Suburban, Vega Kammback and more!
Charlie McCarthy was the impudent little dummy who sat upon the lap of ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, his creator, and entertained millions every week with his comedy.
Here’s a look at the top classic cars from 1966 – all of the makes and models from the ‘Big Four’ that you could have expected to see on the road back in the mid-sixties.
AMC Pacer Wagons from the ’70s aimed to give owners passenger room and comfort in a small car – along with fancy features like reclining front seats, an electric clock, and more.
Here, see 11 of the classic 1960s Dodge Darts that were new and popular back between 1960 and 1969.
Why was Greta Garbo America’s highest-paid film star in the 1930s? A legend during the Golden Age of Hollywood, Garbo was one of the most popular actresses of the era. See what she was all about here.
There have been many lonely, unhappy wives in every era. Here, an advice columnist addresses letters from women who are helpless because they are without hope — a very common type of message in her mailbox.
Some of these classic 1960s Dodge Polara cars had aircraft-type instrument panels and switches – plus deep carpeting and a V8 that knows what get-up-and-go really means. Take a look!
Check out the classic Ford Pinto, a coupe hatchback auto that was super popular, that Ford said proved a small economy car didn’t have to be ugly. (They didn’t have to explode, either, and we cover that, too.)
Miracle In The Rain, a classic love story, stars Jane Wyman and Van Johnson as two lonesome people who meet in a small building-doorway during a dismal New York downpour.
While the car name Rambler dates back to 1914, the name was only used for modern cars from the late ’50s until 1969. Here’s a look at some of the top Rambler cars from the 1960s – the classic brand’s heyday.
Back in the 1980s, Ford Escort Wagons were top-sellers all across America, giving drivers cargo space, room for a family… and you could even get the ‘woody’ version with a faux wood finish on the sides.
Here are some interviews with star Rock Hudson from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, during which he talked about his favorite (and least favorite) parts of his hugely successful career.
See how these classic 1960s Dodge Coronet cars — both hardtops and convertibles — were big inside and out, but made to appeal to the people looking for down-to-earth prices.
See why people loved GM’s classic ’60s Oldsmobile Toronados – rocket action cars that were marketed very differently to men and women. Have a look.
‘Sliders’ was a sci-fi TV show that told the story of four adventurers who discover a passageway between dimensions that transported them to parallel worlds.
While the stars were still aligning for her first big acting role, young Mariska Hargitay, daughter of the legendary Jayne Mansfield, took on other jobs.
These classic 1960 Mercury cars played up one of the most successful automobile marketing angles: luxury options, but at a low price. Look back at these old cars from the sixties, made by a division of Ford!
Back in the ’60s, The Mamas and The Papas were no ordinary band or singing group – they had that certain extra something that made sure their music would stand the test of time. Here’s a look back.
This flip-over chair – in the original Hudson Valley version of the 1870s or a colorful adaptation – offers the fun of choosing between two seats with a quick flip of a finger.
In a world of ordinary cars, the Thunder’s still there (1981) It’s a great name. Thunderbird. One that carries with it high expectations for an
The Godfather of Soul. Mr Dynamite. The Hardest Working Man in Show Business. Whatever you called him, James Brown was a music legend who released hit records in four different decades.
Where do wine glasses go? How many forks should be set out on the table – and what’s the difference between them? What about a bread plate? Find out how to set a formal dinner table the proper old-fashioned way with these tips from 100 years ago.
From just the trailer, it seemed like just another John Hughes movie, but ‘The Breakfast Club’ was something different. For many ’80s teens, it was more real and more relatable. Find out why here!
In the ’60s and ’70s, these vintage ads for stylish vintage Foster Grants sunglasses featured many of the most popular stars of the era – from Raquel Welch to Mia Farrow, Peter Sellers to Robert Goulet.
If you’ve been on social media and have been seeing the term ‘sea shanties’ a lot lately, get the basics here about these old songs that have been around for centuries.
Back in 1920, lots of people – including media and leading scientists – thought there was an active society on Mars, and that the Martians wanted to talk to us. Find out why they believe that here.
When the old Victrola record players were first introduced, those turntables were some cutting-edge tech. Here’s a look at the history of the famous Victor Talking Machines!
This creative collection of ideas came from Crayola, the famous crayon maker, back in the 1950s. They suggest some simple old-fashioned ways for kids to have quiet fun at home with crayons and paper.
Depending on how you count, between three and seven people died due to the very first Indianapolis motor car race back in 1909. Find out more here.
In the ’70s, long before he was the guy millions of Americans knew as a cop on Law & Order, here’s what Jerry Orbach’s home – a New York City brownstone – looked like.
The 1967 Mercury was said to be ‘for men who like their action big! You sense this the moment you take the wheel. It’s a Ford Mercury. This is the Man’s Car with a heritage of performance! Cyclone!’
In the fifties, people wanted to know: What was rock ‘n’ roll music? Where did this wild dance noise come from – and was it safe for the kids? Should it be banned, or was it just a fad?
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 dance music of the Edison Phonograph is irresistible. It offers the most fascinating waltzes and spirited two-steps of the world’s, great composers as well as the popular dance music of the hour.
This carefree tie-on poncho is cut in just four identical pieces and put together with simple straight sewing. Best of all, it has a dozen uses, can be made in any number of different fabrics, and cut to any length you like.
Just 18 years old, Aretha Franklin moves flawlessly in her vocals — from spiritual, to blues to jazz and to pop; and her ability as a pianist is something more to reckon with. Aretha is the girl to watch!
Check out some of the sportiest, snappiest, best-looking, practical cars of the mid-century: 60s Mustangs. See several classic models here!
In Classic Cars Adult Coloring Book #2: Vintage 1920s Automobiles (1920-1929), find dozens of classic car brands dating back to the Twenties, including Chandler, Pontiac, Chrysler, Nash, Hupmobile, Franklin, Dodge, Overland, Elcar and Ford.
In Classic Cars Adult Coloring Book #1: Early American Automobiles (1895-1919), see dozens of classic car brands dating back to the late Victorian age, including Buick, Cadillac, Chalmers, Chandler, Cole, Davis, Ford, Overland, Packard, Pierce Arrow, Rambler, Stoddard-Dayton and Studebaker.
In Classic Cars Adult Coloring Book #3: Vintage 1930s Automobiles (1930-1939), find many classic car brands dating back to the Thirties, including Plymouth, Studebaker, Chrysler, Pierce Arrow, Ford, Franklin, Lincoln, Hudson, Hupmobile, and Oldsmobile.
What was vintage ’80s tech like? The Good Guys were a big consumer electronics specialty retailer selling brand-name audio and video gear. See the hottest retro TVs, stereos and more from 1987!
In Gaby, playing off one of the more haunting love mix-ups of World War II, a French-born dancer in London (Miss Caron) meets an American soldier. Then he is sent overseas, and soon presumed lost.
Looking for a fun and creative holiday project that’s a little different? Check out these crafty and cute vintage Christmas decorations, based on ideas popular back in the sixties.
Find out all of the then-hot new features on the 1954 Ford Ranch Wagons, an all-steel car that had fold-down seats so you could carry cargo or passengers.
While orchestra leader Glenn Miller himself disappeared, his music has done rather the opposite – reaching and speaking to generations well beyond his untimely death during WWII.
Back in the seventies, the vintage soap operas ‘Another World’ & ‘Days of Our Lives’ escaped the short half-hour program format, and were the first to hit the airwaves in one hour blocks.
Dorothy Lamour, American actress and singer, wasn’t just a star on the screen – she also threw her weight behind numerous WWII war bond sales efforts, and topped those charts.
Old-fashioned orange pomander balls made with cloves first became popular around the 17th century, and have been in use ever since. Here’s how to make your own fragrant decoration!
Find out how to make these colorful Christmas decorations: Translucent Tissue paper stained glass art panels to make your rooms blaze with jewel-toned light.
There’s a Firebird for every purpose. Except standing still. (1978) Esprit offers luxury that doesn’t get in the way of sport. Individually-cushioned buckets of supple
Donning a brilliant red leotard, Audrey Hepburn demonstrated a series of yoga-like exercises. ‘I’ve tried to incorporate what I’ve seen in animals so the human body can benefit from them.’
Here are a few ideas for antique-style Christmas embroidery you can use to create small gifts. We have also included some bonus patterns, also from the early 1900s.
Want some retro-style holiday decor? Find out how to make some vintage Christmas crafts from the ’60s: a burlap wreath, tabletop Christmas trees, a starburst decoration, papier mache ornaments and more.
The classic Nash cars that were so popular in the ’50s came in a few different models, and offered features like ‘nap couches’ for kids and huge luggage compartments.
‘Casablanca’ actor Humphrey Bogart – known to millions as ‘Bogie’ – gave a behind-the-scenes look into his mind and his life in this story from 1942.
You can make these super easy wax & tissue paper flowers for Christmas or any time of year! This vintage craft uses basic supplies, but creates a surprisingly beautiful result!
Here, we present many thought-provoking Abraham Lincoln quotes from throughout his distinguished career, gathered from antique books.
Bartholomew Roberts, also known as Black Bart, was a notorious pirate who raided ships. Here are some of the harsh – and sometimes unexpected – rules that governed the crews on his ships: The Pirate Code.
In 1973, The Mamas & The Papas singer Michelle Phillips took on a new role – that of the lead actress in the movie Dillinger. Here’s what she said at the time.
Johnny Cash kicked off his country-music series, The Johnny Cash TV Show, with guests Bob Dylan, singer-songwriters Joni Mitchell and Doug Kershaw, and comedienne Fannie Flagg. Here, see a video performance with Roy Orbison.
From 1971: An ultra-high-performance sports coupe that stands a little higher than the average man’s belt buckle, it seats two (and only two) and it’s priced in the neighborhood of $10,000.
Campy or vampire spoof, call it what you like – The Lost Boys, a movie starring Kiefer Sutherland – is decidedly offbeat entertainment… with a twist.
When these vintage Zenith ‘Space Command’ TV remote controls first came out, they were revolutionary tech – and everyone wanted one.
Live Aid in 1985: Feed the world The goal of the Live Aid concerts was to raise money to help relieve the ongoing famine in
’86 Ford Bronco II. You can wear it anywhere. Bronco II’s combination of design and toughness lets you take it anywhere. And for ’86, it
What’s the history of golf balls? The first ones were made of leather of untanned bull’s hide – but golf balls have changed a lot over the years. Here’s a look!
When The Bold and the Beautiful soap opera first hit the airwaves in the eighties, they probably didn’t imagine the show would be still going after even 8000 episodes. Here’s how it began!
The 5 big Ford station wagons from 1960 featured such unique wonders like sun visors and arm rests – plus comfort, convenience and styling elegance in the wagon field. Here’s a look back!
Between 1918 and 1955, there were 11 different Tarzan movie actors, in the character’s various incarnations and adventures. Here’s a look back at those wild men.
Question: Did any feminist ever burn a bra in protest? Find out more about the history of this often-mentioned protest move here!
On Pirates of the Caribbean in 1967, the costliest and most technologically-sophisticated amusement park ride ever built, Disneyland evoked the buccaneering past of the Spanish Main.
Classic Rambler cars from the ’50s were popular family cars, and were touted as offering big car room at small car prices. Here’s a look back!
Take a look at these classic Ford Fairlines from the sixties! Back then, standard equipment included bucket seats, sporty console, big 390 cubic-inch V-8, and more.
Here is a collection of tips from the past, for researching your past – namely, how to start a genealogical record for your family. Get ideas for tracking down your ancestry here!
Here’s Groucho singing the song he’s famously associated with from his time with the Marx Brothers: ‘Hello, I Must Be Going,’ as seen in the 1930 film Animal Crackers.
