Jigsaw puzzles swept America not once but twice — first in 1908, then again in the Great Depression. Here’s the wild history behind the hobby.
Early in the 20th century, 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!
Piggly Wiggly invented the self-service grocery store in 1916. See rare photos inside the original Memphis location just two years after it opened.
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.
Here is a collection of 24 colorful vintage Easter cards from the early twentieth century!
Nikola Tesla helped shape the electrical age with AC power and bold wireless experiments. Explore the inventor behind the headlines.
We discovered these 22 amazing old pictures of some of the most gorgeous historical hotel lobbies from across the US. Have a scroll and step back in time with us to a more elegant era!
Explore antique cash registers, how they were invented, and why these mechanical marvels helped reshape American retail.
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.
Public displays of affection were a debated topic in 1919 advice columns. Newlyweds got detailed do’s and don’ts for showing love in public.
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.
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.
Here are 20 classic mincemeat recipes (used to make the holiday favorite, mincemeat pie) – as remembered through the decades.
See how 1920s home decor brought color, pattern and purpose into American homes, from sun porches to stair landings and every room in between.
Discover the fascinating world of Edwardian boots — lace‑up, button‑up leather styles from the early 1900s that defined women’s footwear in a changing era.
Thanksgiving, now held each year on the fourth Thursday in November, has long been a controversial holiday, Here, look back at Thanksgiving history as it played out over more than three centuries.
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!
These silent movie stunts from the 1920s were real, dangerous, and wildly risky — long before special effects made things safe and easy.
Cracker Jack became a pop culture icon with its caramel popcorn, peanuts and surprise prizes. See how this vintage snack won America’s heart.
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 vintage manicure routines, tools and tricks from the early 1900s, when women shaped and polished their nails before color polish was common.
See how washboards powered old-fashioned laundry days with scrub, soap and skill, plus vintage photos showing them in action.
The 1918-19 Spanish flu pandemic killed an estimated 50 million people – the majority of deaths from pneumonia following an attack of influenza.
If you don’t know your dingledangler from your Kluck from your zoozer, you’ll want to know this Flapper slang from the 1920s!
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!
Who remembers Peter Coddle, Shoot the Hat, and Snap? They were antique board games that provided hours of entertainment before radio and TV. Find out more here!
Take a look back at these talented and glamorous actresses of the 1920s, who were some of the first nationally-known celebrities because of their presence on the big screen.
Way back when, it’s what every girl wanted: A cedar-lined Lane hope chest for linens and her trousseau. In upper-middle-class homes, giving a teen cedar chest was a longstanding tradition — and practically a requirement for marriage.
Explore the transformative world of 1920s clothing, where fashion embraced freedom and modernity, reflecting the dynamic spirit of the Roaring Twenties.
Here’s what it was like to vacation in Texas 100+ years ago – back when there were wide-open spaces, small cities, and lots of ranches.
These vintage selfies, several of which date back to the 1800s, prove that the desire to capture our own images has been around for a long time. Here’s how people took self-portraits with old cameras long ago!
The Thomas Edison house in New Jersey housed both new inventions and priceless antiques – and was where his children were born, and where he died.
Try not to be too creeped out by this collection of vintage Halloween party ideas spanning over a century!
Back when cheap Halloween party decor was a distant dream, people had to make their Halloween decorations the old-fashioned way: by getting creative. Ghoul School 1919 is now in session!
These beautiful antique kitchen ranges from the 1920s & 30s were huge and heavy. See vintage ads and photos that showcase these unique appliances!
Here, look back at the rediscovered art of stenciling, plus see dozens of examples of traditional stencil patterns from throughout history!
All of these sweet potato pie recipes come from the early part of the 20th century — from 1915 until 1922 — and should give you some ideas for ways to spice up a sweet potato pie of your own!
See how gazebos became one of America’s favorite outdoor retreats with a look back at some vintage styles and backyard designs!
These vintage tips to identify antique silver come from the 1940s – and include diagrams, descriptions and photos of lots of vintage silverwork.
Take a look at these modest old-fashioned swimsuits for men and women, seen on real beachgoers and early movie actresses, with many high-quality and colorized vintage photos!
The traditional pound cake recipe got its name from the measurements of some ingredients used in the recipe — a pound of butter, a pound of sugar and a pound of flour. More than a century ago, the recipe changed to something a little lighter, but no less delicious!
100 years ago, public swimming pools were vital for summer survival The charm of vintage public swimming pools from the early 1900s transports us back
Use our inflation calculator to see how prices have changed over time. Discover the value of money across decades with this easy-to-use tool.
Old-fashioned candy in the US traces its roots from luxury 1800s treats to timeless favorites. See how these sweets have captured the affection of generations.
Tiddlywinks (originally Tiddle-dy Winks) seems like a simple kids’ game… but there’s a lot more to it! Find out about it – including how to play – here.
Discover a curated roundup of must-see vintage Craftsman house plans. Perfect for those interested in classic design, renovation, or new builds.
Discover 1920s house plans that combined practical layouts with timeless charm. Explore these vintage designs that still inspire homes today.
When teddy bears hit the market, the craze for these soft, comforting companions was instant and universal. Here’s a look back at the remarkable history of the teddy bear, and see lots of adorable versions through the years.
The Raggedy Ann doll, in her humble glory, has stood the test of time. Let’s take a look back at her history!
If you need a book, you used to need to look for the most important item in the library — the vintage card catalog.
Light up your memory with some some great old home décor – more than 200 antique and vintage table lamps from the beginning of the twentieth century to its end!
Toby Jugs came to America in the 1700s and quickly became a favorite collectible. Check out these examples of the art form!
Millions know ‘Say, Say, Oh Playmate’ – also known as ‘Playmate’ – but few today know much about the rhyming song & hand clapping game. Find out more here!
The book “Little Folks of Animal Land” by Harry Whittier Frees was released in 1915, and featured mostly kittens and puppies in various human scenarios. Take a look!
From awful double entendres to horrible diseases to the just plain bizarre, here are some vintage bad product names that used to appear on grocery store shelves.
Throughout the 20th century, the nursing profession and vintage nursing uniforms evolved in step with society.
Before the advent of modern refrigeration, there was the charming, wooden icebox in the corner of the kitchen – the epicenter of cold storage from the mid-19th to early 20th century.
These retro refrigerators were a dream come true for homemakers. Take a look back at these old-fashioned kitchens and their cool appliances!
This collection of vintage Girl Scout uniforms, badges and insignia represents a century of tradition, friendship and — most of all — girl power.
From uprights to baby grands & more, these antique pianos are works of art!
Booze-free beverages were all the rage after prohibition kicked in, so from a huge collection of vintage mocktail suggestions, we found these 30 fruity 1920s non-alcoholic drink recipes that would still work well today.
Felix the Cat was a black and white cartoon character who first appeared on movie screens way back in 1919. Created by Pat Sullivan and
See the surprising reasons so many old silent movies have completely disappeared — leaving us to wonder what cinematic treasures have been lost to the ages.
The man behind the famous Hell Gate Brewery, George Ehret, wasn’t just a business success — he was a success as a human. Find out more about his story!
When was Prohibition and why didn’t it work? Here’s the story of how it not only didn’t do what it intended, but introduced a cascade of other problems, too.
Based on the state of plastic surgery in the 1920s, and with regular improvements in science, one journalist suggested in 1922 that soon women wouldn’t have to age – ‘I mean shriveled or waddling old and all that.’
Check out these photographs and illustrations that show off some of the most popular styles of 1920s lingerie – and that’s not like much you see today.
If you have ever thought that 1920s shoes for women were pretty much all the same, think again! There was practically a shoe style revolution between WWI and the Great Depression. Take a look here.
Vintage circus posters are a fantastic way to get a glimpse into the world of the old-fashioned circus and all the excitement it offered!
Back when recipes were usually handwritten, vintage recipe boxes were a happy homemaker’s most valued possession. Take a peek at some retro recipe holders here!
While it’s not unusual today for a child’s growing up to be well-documented, a chronological series of vintage baby pictures like these were a rare advantage in the early 20th century!
The Life Savers candy brand has been around for more than a century! Here’s a look back at how the little sweets with a hole became so popular, and the many flavors they have made over the years.
Stained glass windows are back in style! Take a look at lots of gorgeous design examples, for churches, homes and businesses – plus get some historical perspective on stained and leaded glass art!
The insights and inventions of Dr George Washington Carver – which he gave freely to the world – revolutionized the South, and helped millions out of poverty.
How can you make use of all those fresh summer berries? We looked to the experts of the past to find delicious old-fashioned ways to preserve raspberries so you can enjoy the fruit all year long.
A bouncy new baby is wonderful – but quite a burden, too! In the early 20th century, baby window cages like these were promoted as making babies more fun since they were easier to care for.
The Dodge Brothers built a powerhouse car company that shaped American auto history — here’s how they rose to success and why their cars stood out.
100 years ago, famous actress and soprano Lina Cavalieri said she thought women would rather have beautiful necks than almost any other feature, and offered her tips on how to improve the curve and beauty of the neckline.
Here’s a look back at some of the greatest examples of fashionable gowns and flapper-style vintage dresses from the Roaring 20s that would be at home on the set of a Great Gatsby movie!
Antique travel trunks like these were like super-extra suitcases that offered more than just space for clothing that helped people easily pack and organize entire outfits, right down to the accessories. Here’s a peek!
Warm up with a look back at 30 different beautiful vintage fireplaces that were once found in homes across the US.
We’ve collected various 1920s makeup tips that millions of flappers used to get fabulous and rebellious for a night of jazz clubs, speakeasies and dancing.
It was on that memorable day in telephone history – June 2, 1875 – when Bell and Watson were testing a number of transmitters, connected by a single wire to a corresponding set of vibrating reed receivers, that the first sounds were transmitted electrically.
The Cadillac innovation mentioned herein was a two-speed rear axle, combined with a door-mounted, electrically-operated shifter which allowed the driver to change the rear axle
Old-fashioned dentistry in the early 1900s had come a long way since the Wild West days, but, compared to what we have available in the 21st century, it might as well have been the Dark Ages. Take a look!
Who was Uncle Wiggily? Find out more about the author of these serials and Uncle Wiggily books, see examples of the characters and artwork, and look back at a copy of ‘Uncle Wiggily and His Friends’ that was published in 1955!
Annie Oakley wasn’t just the best female sharpshooter – she was THE best. She once sent a shot right through the bullseye, then someone bet she couldn’t shoot through the hole she had just made. Guess what happened next?
What did old New York look like years ago, after night fell? Here’s a peek at the ‘city that never sleeps’ as it appeared by the light of the moon, the stars… and the skyscrapers.
Take a glimpse into what the famous old Macy’s department store looked like just over a hundred years ago – and how it offered its customers a shopping experience like no other.
More than 100 years ago, see how antique baby carriages like these were styled with beautiful designs, made from wicker, metal and wood – sometimes embellished with wooden spindles and woven reeds.
Books in a home once signaled that the residents were intelligent, worldly, and could afford to collect their favorite volumes. Look back at some vintage bookshelves from the past!
Gorgeous, graceful old-fashioned decorative iron porches & balconies, crafted from intricate metalwork, adorn many homes and other buildings in the Southern states. Here, take a look back at some stunning examples!
The original Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New York opened in 1911 and lasted just 40 years — but it left a lasting mark on American luxury.
See how old El Paso, Texas — the city that sits right along the border of Mexico and the state of New Mexico – looked more than 100 years ago, when the population was about a tenth of what it is now.
Although the most popular vintage 1920s hairstyles were dominated by the bob cut, there were lots of different ways to style bobbed hair. Here’s a look back at short and long haircuts (plus old-fashioned styling tips) from the flapper era!
Here, see two articles from the twenties about old-fashioned train & travel etiquette from the 1920s. They as much tell people what to do as what not to do when traveling the country by railroad.
Early American weathervanes were part folk art, part forecasting tool. See dozens of antique copper designs and the fascinating history behind them.
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!
