Gary Coleman stars as Arnold, a street-wise youth from Harlem, who is adopted by a white millionaire and becomes confused and suspicious about his sudden change of fortune on the comedy series, Diff’rent Strokes.
1982
Looking for a couple easy recipes you can whip up in minutes? Try these mini-pizzas and tiny cheesecake snacks, with flavorful ingredients stacked on a Triscuit cracker! Ads feature actress Shirley Jones.
You didn’t go into a Fotomat Store – you stopped by it. The corner store was for toothpaste and funny books, and the Fotomat Store was for film & developing. Take a look back!
From neon streaks to bold sprays, 80s temporary hair colors gave everyone a chance to play with their look — without a permanent commitment.
Remember the joy of opening a fresh set of these magic markers and felt-tip pens? Here are some retro brands you might remember!
Wholesome, full-flavored dinners like this Chicken macaroni casserole come easy with Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup, chunk chicken, and pasta.
Supergraphics: The epitome of 1970s charm Warning! Scrolling too fast through this post may induce a psychedelic experience! With that out of the way… The
Despite a few years of controversy, Brooke Shields stayed a successful actress and fashion model – even adding author to her resume – and has continued to work in the entertainment industry as a remarkably well-grounded and former child star.
Beyond the basic ‘suntan’ shade of nylons, vintage 80s tights & pantyhose came in lots of colors and patterns. See some retro women’s legwear here!
People loved all 8 kinds of Snackin’ Cake that you mixed, baked, and served in the same pan. They came in flavors like Banana Walnut, Chocolate Chip, Coconut Pecan and more. See them here!
While not as portable as hand mixers, the fact that these vintage stand mixers could stir and blend and whip on their own was a huge boon for home chefs.
Let’s take a dive into the nostalgic maze of the original Pac-Man game – plus see point values and scoring, plus home and arcade version of the OG and his family, including Ms and Baby Pac Man!
With its gold edging and hardware, this style of French-inspired furniture design was popular for homes in the ’60s and into the ’70s. Take a look!
Swiss watchmaker Swatch revitalized the industry with a bold and vibrant analog quartz marvel, sparking the colorful watch craze of the 1980s and 1990s. See dozens of retro Swatch designs here!
In the seventies and eighties, sock styles – especially those for girls – started to get a lot more fun as new colors, patterns and ways of wearing them became all the rage. Here’s a look back at 1980s socks!
For those of us who lived any portion of our lives when the Yellow Pages phone book was an essential community resource — could we
Who had one of these ‘My Name Records’ when they were kids? We found a few vintage covers from personalized 45 RPM record singles featuring Captain Kangaroo songs!
Disneyland in the 1980s was one of the ultimate vacation destinations for people of all ages. See some of the maps and materials they were using to promote their attractions — old and new!
They weren’t sexy, but 80s & 90s minivans were a versatile and practical alternative to station wagons and completely took over the soccer mom scene! Remember these models from back in the day??
The party favorite – more fun than throwing custard pie! Wham-O Silly String shoots a plastic stream of plastic string 1/4 mile long!
First flying in the 1960s, the famous Boeing 747 airplane was not only bigger and more powerful than any other plane, but was a major technological marvel. See the jets inside and out, and how they looked during construction!
Easy and efficient, there’s a reason Hamburger Helper became – and remained – so popular with home cooks. Here are some of the Hamburger Helper flavors we enjoyed in the 70s, 80s & 90s.
Laverne & Shirley was a series about two spirited young women – Penny Marshall as Laverne DeFazio and Cindy Williams as Shirley Feeney – who worked in a brewery and managed to have fun on and off the job in Milwaukee in the 1950s.
The square pieces of smooth, orange, slightly rubbery American cheese used to be the quintessential lunch food, showing up on everything from gooey grilled cheeses to baloney sandwiches. Here’s a look at how they came to be!
Hot-n-Buttery frozen waffles pops up with a golden brown buttery-flavored crispness that you just can’t get with any other brand of frozen waffles.
This classic advice from the 1970s helped consumers choose and take care of audio cassette tapes.
These vintage Thermos ads from the 1950s, 60s and 70s feature designs so iconic, you might find the ones you used to have!
Looking back at 7-Up history, you can see that it’s a testament to the lemon-lime soft drink’s popularity that the brand could weather so many stumbling blocks – not the least of which included being introduced right before the Great Depression.
Do you remember tasty vintage Maybelline Kissing Potion, Kissing Glosses, and more from the 70s & 80s that came in mouthwatering flavors like strawberry, bubblegum, peppermint & watermelon?
This delicious raisin cake recipe includes mayonnaise, which may sound strange, but actually works!
Intellivision gaming systems from the 80s were supposed to be more realistic than anything else available at the time. You may be surprised to see (or remember) how simplistic and pixelated the games really were!
Built by Chrysler’s Plymouth division, the Horizon was a subcompact car available in both a 2-door coupe and 4-door sedan models. It was a fraternal twin to the Dodge Omni.
Vintage Tonka trucks and construction vehicles: From bulldozers, diggers, dump trucks, trenchers and shovels — these toys have been produced since 1947.
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!
In the ’80s, The Incredible Hulk & Courtship of Eddie’s Father actor Bill Bixby was the spokesperson for Dietac diet pills… at least until the over-the-counter medication was taken off the market.
The Dodge Omni won Car of the Year, survived a national handling scandal and stuck around for twelve model years. See how it all played out.
Introduced in the late 1970s, Underoos were a popular brand of colorful children’s underwear featuring characters from popular franchises like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Star Wars.
The old Disneyland TV show, known by various titles since its introduction in 1954 (and currently entitled The Wonderful World of Disney) was Walt Disney’s first foray into the weekly television show format.
The best part of this collection of vintage calendar towels is remembering the ones from years ago – just like our moms, aunts and grandmothers used to have in their kitchens.
Cabbage Patch Kids were a popular line of dolls created by American art student and illustrator Xavier Roberts in the late 1970s. By the time
Hot on the heels of the flower child era, back in 1974, Mattel introduced a set of toys that were sort of the anti-Barbie: The Sunshine Family dolls.
Here’s a collection of gingerbread houses to inspire you this holiday: a fairy-tale cottage, half-timbered country house, marvelous Victorian mansion, and many more – along with details on how to make your own classic gingerbread house.
If you’re a fan of yummy treats you can whip up in a flash, you’ll love this collection of delicious cookie bars made famous in the last century.
Butterscotch haystacks are a simple vintage dessert made with butterscotch chips, peanut butter and chow mein noodles — a delicious treat that’s been popular since the 1960s.
Remember when these popular brands of old granola bars were called natural and wholesome… and seemed they were too delicious to be healthy? Yeah, we were right. But still, so yummy!
Back in the mid-1960s, the newly-invented marvel of Shake’n Bake coating mixes was kind of a big deal – or at least the shake and bake concept was marketed that way!
Ayds candy debuted in the 40s, and was basically a piece of caramel or fudge that contained an appetite suppressant. For years, the diet candy called Ayds was a big seller… and then came AIDS.
Ready for some good old-fashioned chocolate treats? Here are more than a dozen of our best vintage brownie recipes — lots of fudgy deliciousness with a retro twist!
Before gummy vitamins existed, there were several other chewable supplements for kids – but none was more iconic than Flintstones vitamins.
You could spot that Laura Ashley Home vibe at a glance – those patterns (often florals) with a warm and cozy English country feel. And in the 80s and 90s, Americans loved them. See dozens of vintage LAH styles here.
Everybody’s doing it. Swingers, congressmen, housewives, businessmen, engaged couples, secretaries and kids. They’re all out there jogging.
This easy and delicious recipe for a cool, rich and creamy double chocolate cream pie comes to you direct from 1982, and has that amazing old-fashioned flavor you might remember.
Toast the season’s riches with this snappy pinecone-shaped cheeseball! Formed in a nutshell of crisp, crunchy almonds, its flavor is so scrumptious, your guests will go simply nutty.
Thousands of kids loved these custom-made Vintage Me Books from the 70s, including titles like My Friendly Giraffe, My Birthday Land Adventure, My Special Christmas & My Jungle Holiday.
Here’s the easy way to make deliciously moist ‘n crispy Rice Krispies crunchy chicken, with a crust so crisp, it crunches.
Anyone who lived through the great videotape format war of the late 1970s to early 1980s will never forget the big question: VHS or Beta? Here’s the Betamax side – the player that ultimately lost.
If you think your quest for the best pumpkin pie recipe has only just begun, we have news for you: you’ve just found the vintage recipe motherlode. Which is the best pie? Try some and decide!
Look back at dozens of flavors of vintage Shasta sodas – including root beer, sparking lemonade, strawberry, cream soda, pineapple cola and more from the 60s, 70s and 80s!
Here’s a hearty 90-minute beer bread that’s ready to enjoy in just an hour and a half. It combines the rich, full flavor of beer with the taste of rye.
This vintage caramel roll recipe combines brown sugar and pecans to make a warm and wonderful breakfast treat. Bisquick calls this recipe their ‘Do-ahead caramel rolls’ because the dough can be made and chilled up to 24 hours.
These classic spiced crackle cookies from the 80s – rolled in powdered sugar before baking – deliver a sweet dessert with rich flavor and a little warm and spicy tang.
M*A*S*H debuted on TV in 1972, and centered around a team of doctors during the Korean War in the early 50s. M*A*S*H was a huge success, lasting for 11 seasons, and broke records on its way out.
Casual vintage ’80s menswear was more relaxed than sportswear, but more socially acceptable than pajamas. But the big new star of this era? Jogging suits. See retro t-shirts, sweatpants & much more here!
Let’s look back at the popular sitcom The Facts of Life – meet the actresses, hear that catchy theme song one more time, and get the lyrics for the hit show’s opening credits!
The Kodak Disc camera was was lightweight, foolproof (with auto-exposure and built-in flash), affordable, and used a brand new kind of film cartridge… but it was only sold for six years.
When small appliance manufacturers started selling vintage automatic coffeemakers, they were taking the popular (but cumbersome) drip method of coffee making and making t so much easier.
If you love the flavor of almonds and sherry, try them together in a fabulous cake! You make this almond sherry cake with cream sherry, sliced almonds and cake mix.
Billions of 80s stickers were collected by millions of kids – and appeared on everything from binders to books, cassette tapes to sticker collection albums. Do you recognize any of these vintage stickers?
Despite a slow start, by the mid-’80s, REO Speedwagon’s hit singles ‘Keep On Loving You’ and ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’ had topped the charts, and they were known across the globe. Here’s the story.
What were girls, tweens & teens wearing in 1983? See vintage 80s clothes for girls like preppy polo shirts, ruffle-trimmed plaid blouses, oversized shirt-dresses, dirndl skirts, and drop-waist minidresses.
From the richly ornamental to the whimsical, old-fashioned wood porch bracket designs have enriched the faces of American houses for over a century.
The Tootsie Roll has a sweet legacy that started way back at the end of the 1800s, and continues to this day. From the early days, the unique chocolaty chewy candy was a huge favorite with kids. Find out more about them here!
Find out how to make the Hershey’s classic – easy chewy chocolate cookies made with powdered cocoa – in this retro recipe from the 80s!
Vintage Esprit fashions enjoyed their heyday in the late, great 80s, conveying energy, youthfulness and authenticity. Click to enjoy a spirited & colorful nostalgia trip.
Though she was born famous, then grew her fame as an actress, Jane Fonda’s workout videos were one of her greatest successes. Here’s how it happened.
See a dozen cute vintage play kitchens – toys for kids who wanted to pretend to cook, and have fun with mini appliances and plastic food.
In the beginning, The Gap was a completely different store – selling only Levi’s and music. Through dozens of pictures, see how vintage Gap evolved and came to be known for so many trendy styles!
Vintage 10-speed bikes like these were popular bicycles during the 60s, 70s and 80s. Although designed for speed and performance, they were popular with everyday folks who just wanted to get out and ride.
Can you imagine life before bubble gum? Here’s a brief history of vintage gum brands in the US!
In the 70s, vintage Crock-Pot Slow Cookers became popular, because a meal could be cooked for pennies a serving, and cuts of meat could be easily tenderized. Who knew how famous the small appliances would become?!
What did Carowinds theme park look like back in the 1980s? Here’s a look at the vintage Hanna-Barbera-affiliated amusement park that straddled the line between two states.
Anyone obsessed with vintage Strawberry Shortcake probably dreamed of these pieces of sugary sweet delight featuring their favorite gal – dolls and toys, of course, but also bedding, wallpaper, roller skates and more.
Chocolate milk has been loved by kids – and, yes, adults! – since at least the 1920s. Here’s a look back at some vintage chocolate milk brands that have hit supermarkets over the years – some of which you know, but many more than have been lost to time.
For decades after their introduction in 1963, Easy-Bake Ovens showed up on wish lists for Santa and for birthdays, and millions of them were sold. Take a look back!
Here’s a fun way to make Teddy Bear bread – two loaves of yeast bread shaped like everyone’s favorite toy bear.
The Waldorf salad – named for the hotel – became known around the world. Here’s how to make it along with suggestions for lots of different variations – and learn its history!
1980s Microsoft was still growing in 1982 — see how its early software, tools and ads helped shape the future of personal computing.
Make these melt-in-your-mouth classic chocolate rum balls with powdered sugar – candies with a little rum kick – with this retro recipe from 1982.
Most of these abandoned malls exist as ghost towns, if they continue to exist at all. Take a peek inside some abandoned malls and learn the history of their demise.
Indoor malls might be fading, but what hasn’t faded is our fondness for this vintage relic. Take a nostalgia trip back with us to some of the best indoor malls of the 60s, 70s and 80s.
You need only 7 ingredients needed to make this quick, delicious and easy one-pan pumpkin bread recipe – and it’s as good for breakfast as it is for dessert! Get the 1980s how-to here.
Thanks to a simple, happy collaboration between a kid and Mother Nature… we have popsicles! Here’s a look back at the frozen treats we’e enjoyed over the decades.
Originally called a jeweled cheese ball, this retro-style cheddar-brandy cheese ball is so easy to make! It only takes a few minutes to mix and shape. Here’s how.
When you were a kid, there was nothing else like the joy of old-fashioned treehouses or forts: a little getaway that you built (maybe with some help) that could be a clubhouse or castle or spaceship or simply a place for a little peace and quiet.
For two years, Tom Hanks pounded the streets of the city searching for a job. Then he was flown to LA, screen tested, and finally selected for the role of Kip Wilson in ‘Bosom Buddies.’ And so a star was born.
Follow us backward through time, and check out dozens of the old roller skates that were so well-loved in the heyday of roller skating!
Peanut butter fudge meets rich chocolate fudge in ribbon fantasy fudge – a delicious homemade layered candy recipe from the ’80s.
See how Vintage Kool-Aid soft drink mixes looked over the years, along with all of the flavors they’ve made so far. Plus, see the Kool-Aid man break down some walls!
