Discover how folk art painting uses simple brushstrokes to decorate furniture and home goods, with vintage guides and designs from the 1940s and 1950s.
1954
Remember these vintage above-ground pools – the kind that were big enough to actually swim in, but that you didn’t need to dig a big hole for?
The illustrations here show how to communicate using Native American sign language, and come from two vintage sources: one in the ’50s, and the other from the ’20s.
Retro burgers with a cheesy center and tangy tomato sauce? This 1950s Fancy-Pants recipe brings back big flavor with just a few simple ingredients.
See how 50s swimsuits brought ruffles, bright colors and curve-loving cuts to summer fashion, with bold designs from Jantzen, Catalina and Cole of California.
These cute and child-friendly vintage Father’s Day cards show the sweet sentiments that kids expressed for dad (and grandpa) in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.
These retro yellow kitchens – in all their buttery, warm and sunny splendor – are here for the midcentury home decor enthusiast to appreciate!
See how to make a vintage charcuterie board made with retro-style cold cuts along with 1950s nibbles, like casseroles, old-school salads and more.
See how Hawaii was promoted to travelers in the 1950s through vintage tourism ads, brochures and photos from before it became the 50th state.
Want to know how to make an old rotary phone work? Here’s your handy guide, straight from the 50s!
If you were a mid-century suburban kid you likely had a tubular metal swing set like one of these! Check out this nostalgia trip back to the backyards of your childhood.
Take a fun look back at vintage Hostess snacks like Twinkies, cupcakes and fruit pies — see how these classic treats became American favorites.
Discover vintage kitchen design ideas from the 1940s to 1980s that blended style and creativity — and see why some old trends might deserve a comeback.
Take a fun look back at the stereotypical perfect ’50s housewife, as she vacuums in heels, washes dishes wearing pearls, and makes everything practically perfect.
Easter cakes like these bring together all the things people used to love seeing on a holiday table: soft layers, a little citrus, and a
Remember vintage TV dinners — shiny foil trays filled with delicious-looking dinner delights, waiting in the freezer for a special night? Plus find out the history of TV dinners!
Occasionally, top TV show theme songs aren’t just popular – they join the soundtrack of a generation. These 16 hits won acclaim for being more than being the tune played over opening credits. Have a listen!
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.
Explore the vintage pink kitchen trend of the 1950s, from pastel cabinets to pink appliances. See what made this retro style such a mid-century favorite.
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.
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 original vintage Slinky toy was an all-metal spring that thrilled kids by ‘walking’ down stairs. Invented by accident back in the forties, it’s one of the classic toys that has stood the test of time.
Prell shampoo was popular since its introduction in the 1940s, and was best-known for being bright emerald green. Here, see how the product – and the brand’s message – changed from the ’40s to the ’80s!
The 50s and 60s were the glory days for old drive-in movie theaters, when there were about 4000 such venues spread across the country. Take a look back!
Fashion rings in the 1950s and 60s were big, bold, and eye-catching. See how these oversized costume jewelry pieces became a must-have accessory.
From meat glazes to unique salads and totally vintage-style jello molds, the most iconic tropical fruit can make itself useful in so many ways. Here are some weird – and some good – retro ways to serve pineapple.
Remember when every girl wanted a Lane hope chest? See 20+ vintage hope chests from the 20th century
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.
Everyone knows the pastel little Valentine’s Day sweets that say Hug Me, Cutie and more. Where did those candy heart sayings come from? Look back here!
In the early 1950s, an atomic energy lab kit for kids hit the toy store shelves. The thing was *actually radioactive*. The set had real uranium ore, and children could conduct real scientific experiments. Here’s what they were like!
Join us as we journey through futurism history, exploring predictions made about the future by those from the past!
These vintage bullet bras (also called sweater bras) were considered flattering and sexy around the ’50s. Take a look back and see what you think of the style!
Here’s a look back at 100 years of vintage Fostoria glass – from candelabra to stemware, in clear crystal or a rainbow of colorful hues – that people have been using and collecting for generations.
With a little thought and care – plus the inspiration of these lush holiday table settings of yore – you can create unforgettably nostalgic Christmas table settings that will be remembered for years to come.
Whether you’re a nostalgia buff or looking for Christmas door decorations for your mid century home (or both!), we have some fun and festive ideas!
For decades, it was considered inappropriate for TV or movies to show a married couple sharing a bed. But did married couples really sleep in separate beds back in the ’50s?
More than good, Libby’s pumpkin pie is smooth, gently spicy, and perfect! Get the classic pie you love – the original vintage recipe is right here, with our very own step-by-step photos to guide you.
Take a look back at the evolution of Thanksgiving traditions — and holiday meals — from the 1940s through the 1990s, plus see how the best parts of the past have influenced our modern-day celebrations!
See what was needed to put you in the running for a coveted stewardess job back in the ’50s and ’60s! Some requirements were grounded in reason, but many were just plain sexism in action.
Years ago, old-fashioned clock radios like these were on pretty much every bedside table around America, both lulling us to sleep with music and radio shows, and getting us up for work in the morning.
Remember retro Halloween costumes like these, from back when all the kids were wearing cheap and ill-fitting Hulk, Wonder Woman, and Bugs Bunny costumes from the drugstore or made their own creations?
Try not to be too creeped out by this collection of vintage Halloween party ideas spanning over a century!
The iconic Breck shampoo ads were meant to look sweet & wholesome, and a few of the Breck Girls went on to become famous actresses. Take a look!
From all these beautiful old-school Bigelow carpet styles, celebrities Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz chose their dream carpet to decorate their home.
They weren’t cheap, but these vintage Kodak movie cameras were really popular, and helped people save moving-picture memories on fiolm.
Here’s a look at our collection of vintage 1950s table settings – direct from magazines that came out between 1950 and 1959.
Remember having fun in vintage playhouses & forts like these? Take a look back at some of these retro play structures through the decades, from the ’50s through the ’80s!
Vintage View-Master reels offered a trip into another dimension – ‘with stereo color pictures so real, you’ll feel you are actually part of the scene!’ Take a look!
See how gazebos became one of America’s favorite outdoor retreats with a look back at some vintage styles and backyard designs!
Take a nostalgic look back at how Americans have loved coffee for generations – plus get some great old-fashioned ways to brew a delicious cup of vintage coffee.
Love 1950s comics? Here you’ll find more than 50 old names from the funny pages, like Hopalong Cassidy, Flash Gordon, Curly Kayo, Brick Bradford, Etta Kett, Grandma, The Lone Ranger, Moon Mullins, Myrtle and more.
The judgments are harsh, and nobody is worried about subtlety in these mean and bad ads that ran in popular magazines many decades ago.
Smokey the Bear, the friendly brown bear that said, ‘Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires,’ was a powerful force in stopping forest fires. Here’s his story.
Back in the 50s, a group brainstormed ideas to help a woman catch a man… and the dating tips are as cringeworthy, soul-crushing & outdated as you can imagine.
Right from the ’50s, here are some classic tips to keep your kitchen cool when it’s hot outside, plus some easy recipes to help you beat the heat.
Remember these vintage fruit-flavored drinks in flavors like pineapple-grapefruit, apple, and Florida punch? Reminisce about Hi-C Drink flavors here.
The Chordettes reached the top of the charts with memorable songs like Mr Sandman and Lollipop. Find our more about the singers here!
Explore the charm of 1950s vintage Pyrex — discover the colors, patterns and history behind these treasured kitchen classics.
If you think there couldn’t be much that’s changed about vintage baby bottles in the past 100 years or so, you may be surprised. Here’s a look!
While many of us recall Dean Stockwell most fondly for playing Al Calavicci on Quantum Leap, he actually started out as a child actor and appeared in several films alongside well-known stars through the decades. Here’s a look!
Pepperidge Farm remembers… but do you recall all of these classic cakes, cookies, breads, turnovers & other treats they made years ago? (And did you know they once made canned soup?)
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.
With space-age design elements like starbursts and swooshes, and the large backplates, some of the most popular mid-century modern door knobs were absolutely iconic, and easy to recognize.
Check out the charm of these vintage bath towels. This collection of classic ads showcases the unique designs and craftsmanship from back in the day.
Here’s a look back at some sweet vintage Mother’s Day cards from the 20th century, including a few of the 240 million greeting cards for mom that were sold in just one year, back in 1959.
Want to try out some short 1950s hairstyles, or just are looking to see what they were like? Here, check out more than a dozen authentic retro ‘dos from the 50s!
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.
Take some time to peek back at these vintage clocks, in both traditional & mod designs – classic elements of retro and midcentury home decor styles of the 50s, 60s & 70s!
Need a fast dinner? Besides being fast – just fifteen minutes cooking time – this famous quick meatloaf recipe is truly delicious with its savory tomato gravy!
This 1950s office furniture checked all the boxes of business desk design of the era: modernist styles, contemporary materials, muted colors, and no-nonsense simplicity.
Step into a world of timeless grace with 1950s wedding dresses — where lace meets luxury for peak vintage bridal elegance.
Vintage oilcloth, a durable material traditionally made by coating canvas or linen with linseed oil to create a waterproof surface, has a storied history for household use, and was especially popular back in the 1940s and 1950s.
Step back in time with a fun look at vintage cracker brands, from cheesy Cheez-Its to buttery Ritz, and relive the tasty, crispy and crunchy nostalgia through old-school ads and photos!
Take a look back at the delicious history of airline food, from the humble beginnings of in-flight meals, to the gourmet dinners that graced the skies in vintage advertisements.
Explore the history and enduring charm of kitchen pass-through windows, a design trend that transformed home layouts from the 1950s to today.
Have a look back at 50 years of America’s favorite party snack – and see if we found any of your favorite old potato chip brands!
Remember how yummy baby aspirin tasted? Flashback to those fever dreams of yore with this collection of everything vintage baby aspirin.
Hop in the time machine for a whirlwind tour of 20th-century hotel rooms that are like stepping into a living history book!
That characteristic mid-century modern flair — with an abundance of color, clean lines and geometric patterns — translated perfectly in these examples of 1950s Christmas wall decorations
There’s a reason that advertising has evolved over the decades – and these bad vintage Christmas ads from years ago show you exactly why!
Legendary talent Nat King Cole’s legacy is still strong Nat King Cole, a legendary figure in American music, left a lasting impression on fans worldwide.
If you want to serve something different this year for Thanksgiving or Christmas, a retro cranberry souffle salad may be just the thing! Bring back some of the flair of the fifties with these unusual little side dishes.
In the 1950s, canned fruit cocktail was added to everything from jello salads to slices of meat. Here, see 42 old-fashioned ways they used to eat the sweet and fruity mix!
These fun vintage mechanical rides – including the ubiquitous coin-operated horse – made millions of kids smile.
Starting when vintage portable radios were finally small enough to be carried in the 1950s, through when they got almost too big to carry in the ’80s, here’s a little sound history of AM & FM radios from the days of transistors onward.
See 40 vintage breakfast nooks that brought warmth to kitchen corners, through photos and illustrations from the 20th century – showcasing a blend of nostalgic charm and practical design.
Take a look at popular carpet options in the 1950s. Then scroll on for some modern-day mid-century modern carpet options you can buy right now!
Explore the history and enduring appeal of Wonder Horses, the iconic ride-on spring rocking horse toys that galloped into the hearts of children from the 1950s to the 1980s!
Sometimes the basics are all one needs for memorable adventures. Take a look at some vintage tents that were available in the last century!
50s phones were more than just a means of communication — they were pretty household decorations!
Get unforgettable ’50s eye makeup with these vintage beauty tips straight from the fifties! Find out the best ways to use eyeshadow, liner, mascara & more.
Vintage accordion doors like these were popular – and affordable – home improvements that almost anyone could install. Take a look back at some old-fashioned folding door styles!
Backyard decks have become a staple of American architecture for relaxation and socializing. See dozens of different deck designs from the second half of the 20th century here.
Dairy Queen history involves decades of transformation, innovations, and, of course, a few yummy vintage menu items that make folks nostalgic.
These gorgeous vintage in-ground swimming pools go beyond the basic – with unusual shapes, specialty finishes, and other refreshingly retro ideas.
Back in the 1950s and 60s, the American Dream could be had – affordably and in style – if people wanted to buy mobile homes (trailers). Here’s a look at dozens of homes and parks!
In the 1950s, the petticoat crinoline made a triumphant return to the fashion scene for skirts and dresses, with a bounce in its step and a swish in its sway.
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.
