Underoos turned plain kids’ underwear into superhero costumes back in the 1970s, and the story behind the name is stranger than you’d guess.
1983
Before gummy vitamins existed, there were several other chewable supplements for kids – but none was more iconic than Flintstones vitamins.
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!
Ayds candy promised a Hollywood secret to slimming down for decades, until its own name turned into an unfixable marketing problem.
Columbia House sold generations of music fans on cheap mail-order records, then quietly kept going for decades before finally closing in 2026.
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.
Step back to 1976 and revisit young Gloria Steinem’s empowering views on aging as a liberating experience for women
Look back at young Dolly Parton in a rare 1970 interview, plus photos through the decades, from the Queen of Country who died in 2026.
Tinkerbell cosmetics brought little girls their own lipstick and nail polish decades before “tween beauty” existed. See the vintage ads and kits here.
An old pregnancy test meant test tubes, droppers and a nervy two-hour wait. See how women once found out they were expecting.
80s cereal mixed video game mascots with a new low-sugar sweetener. Here’s the real story behind the decade’s strangest cereal aisle trends.
‘The Jeffersons’ was an offshoot of ‘All in the Family’ that took on a life of its own, and made a star out of Sherman Hemsley, who played George Jefferson.
Polls tracked Americans’ views on a woman president from a 33% yes in 1937 to over 90% today, spanning Woodhull to Harris.
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!
See how branded freebies worked back in the day, when a few box tops and a buck could get you real swag by mail.
Magnum PI made Tom Selleck a star, cost him Indiana Jones and subtly rewrote how TV handled Vietnam veterans. Here’s the full story.
Vintage food processor ads and history from the ’70s & ’80s — how Cuisinart went from trade show curiosity to the most coveted appliance in the American kitchen.
Dynamite magazine was published from 1974-1992, and delivered a little bit of pop culture to kids’ mailboxes all across the US. Here’s a look back!
Mr Potato Head started with real vegetables and push-pins in 1952 — and became the first toy ever advertised on TV. Here’s the full story behind the famous spud.
Trash compactors were a genuine 1970s kitchen status symbol — and they almost became a necessity. Here’s why they rose, peaked and quietly faded out.
Fruit snacks exploded in the 1980s, with brands like Fruit Roll-Ups, Sunkist Fun Fruits and Del Monte all competing for kids’ lunchboxes. Here’s how it happened.
Jigsaw puzzles: The fun & addictive fad that took over American living rooms — more than once (1908)
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.
Let’s consider for a moment the soap-on-a-rope phenomenon — a peculiar fusion of the useful and the whimsical that once occupied a prominent place in
Rocky and Bullwinkle debuted in 1959 as a kids’ cartoon – and spent five seasons smuggling Cold War satire past network censors. Here’s the full story.
80s shoes for women ranged from tailored office pumps to Reebok Freestyles — see the full range of styles, colors and trends from a footwear-obsessed decade.
Whether you call them 7-layer bars, magic cookie bars or something else, It’s just layer after layer of delectable ingredients, spread on top of the other right in the baking pan. No mixing!
International long-distance calls cost $75 in 1927 and $12 in the ’60s — which was considered a bargain. Here’s the history of how we got connected.
Burnt sugar, chocolate malt, pink lemonade, black walnut — vintage cake mixes once offered flavors you’d never find on shelves today. Here’s how it all happened.
Sprite launched in 1961 as Coca-Cola’s long-shot bet against 7-Up. Here’s how the lemon-lime soda went from Ohio test markets to a global top-three bestseller.
This gigantic collection of vintage wall paneling from mid-century (and beyond) makes for a surprisingly delightful scroll down nostalgia lane!
Mad magazine launched as a 10-cent comic in 1952 and grew into America’s most influential humor mag. Here’s the wild story behind Alfred E. Neuman.
Her name is Carol Burnett, and her elongated, restless, expressive and oddly beautiful face is one of show business’s favorite funny valentines.
Vintage Converse shoes outfitted Olympians, NBA legends and baseball stars for decades. Here’s the full history of America’s original athletic shoe brand.
Weebles wobble, but they don’t fall down — and they’ve been proving it since 1971. Here’s the full history of this classic Hasbro toy.
The Toys R Us catalog was serious business for 80s kids. Flip through the 1986 Out of this World Toy Book and holiday catalogs from ’87 and ’88.
Happy Days starred Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham and Henry Winkler as Fonzie, and showed life in 1956 – or at least the 1956 some like to believe existed.
Old peanut butter brands have a longer, wilder history than you’d think. See the vintage ads and forgotten names behind America’s favorite spread.
The flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia marked the first time a vehicle would be flown into space, returned — and refurbished and used again.
Mall stores from the 1960s, 70s & 80s: See what these popular shops actually looked like decades ago
In the spirit of reminiscing, we’ve collected 50 photos of some of the most memorable mall stores from the heyday of shopping centers in the 60s, 70s and 80s.
80s arcade games took over America one quarter at a time. See the vintage ads & photos that capture that golden era of Pac-Man, Space Invaders & more.
Dungeons & Dragons changed how a generation played — and socialized. See vintage ads, photos and original articles from the game’s heyday.
80s nail polish was bold, specific and heavily marketed. See original ads from Cutex, Revlon, Maybelline and more — and the colors that defined the decade.
James Brown went from shining shoes in Augusta to selling out arenas nationwide. See the vintage photos & press clippings that tell his real story.
Retro Easter candy has a surprisingly short history. See vintage ads for Brach’s, M&M’s, Cadbury & more from the 1970s–’90s!
80s hairspray fueled an era of big hair and bigger sales. See the vintage ads & brands that defined the decade’s most iconic beauty staple.
Whether new or classic, millions still love vintage Corelle dishes from the Corning company (also behind Pyrex & Corningware). See some of the dish patterns available during the ’70s & ’80s!
As you prepare for your Easter celebration, check out these vintage Easter egg decorating ideas! There are probably a few you remember… and maybe one or two you haven’t seen!
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.
Neil Sedaka, the singer-songwriter behind “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” died at 86. His career spanned generations with chart-topping hits and enduring influence.
Tang orange drink mix was advertised as a ‘new breakfast drink discovery’ when it was introduced in the ’50s, and went on to become a part of pop culture history – especially once NASA and Mrs Brady got in on the action.
Old-school cottagecore traces back to the prairie dress revival of the early 80s — see how ruffles, florals, and frontier flair returned to fashion.
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!
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!
The eighties had a unique flair, not just in music and movies, but also in footwear! As these dozens of 80s kids shoes show, the options back then were as diverse as the culture that influenced them.
Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific shampoo & conditioner are extra rich, extra thick — so it leaves your hair shiny clean and fresh. Slightly spicy. Slightly flowery. And ready for compliments.
Take a look back at old-school packaged cookies like Hydrox, Chips Ahoy, Almost Home, Lorna Doone and more — some still around, others long gone.
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.
If you grew up in the age of film, you will know the excitement that came from vintage instant cameras, like these ones from Polaroid and Kodak.
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.
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.
The official photos with Santa – once called ‘sitting on Santa’s lap’ – has been around for generations. Here’s a look back at this Christmas ritual!
Dive into the nostalgia of 80s toys! From Transformers to Strawberry Shortcake, explore the iconic playthings that made the 1980s a decade of fun.
These 80s Christmas cards featured beloved TV and comic strip characters like Garfield, Snoopy, and the Care Bears in their holiday best.
Philly cheese bells from the 1980s shaped a cheddar and cream cheese spread into festive molds. Easy to prep, easy to serve, and good with crackers.
In the 1974 Rankin-Bass holiday spectacle, The Year Without a Santa Claus, the unforgettable Heat Miser & Snow Miser captured imaginations with their signature musical showdown. See it here!
Vintage Christmas TV specials were as much a part of the holiday as gifts and Christmas trees. Millions of people – especially kids – looked forward to them year after year. Look at more than 100 of these classics.
This exceptional Bacardi rum cake is a pudding cake baked in a ring pan, and flavored with Bacardi dark dry rum. You may be surprised at how easy it is to get an elegant cake – perfect for the holidays!
See how 1980s sleeping bags brought superheroes, cartoons and bright designs to sleepovers, camping trips and every kid’s favorite hangout spot.
Get seven sassy snack mix how-tos from yesteryear, including the granddaddy of them all: the original Chex mix recipe!
Ovaltine promised better sleep, more energy and extra nutrition in vintage ads from the 1920s to the 1980s — see how this chocolate drink made its case.
Though many have tried, no cook has ever been able to improve upon the taste of traditional pumpkin pie. Carnation’s famous pumpkin pie recipe is a Thanksgiving classic – and we have the ’50s recipe right here.
Explore 1982 no sew outfits and easy wrap‑and‑go fashion that moved beyond conventional sewing in vintage style.
These pinecone cheese ball recipes are the ultimate decorative old-school appetizer spread! Find out how to make them here.
Halloween greeting cards made especially for children became popular in the 1970s – most far more sweet than scary. Look back at these vintage Halloween cards for kids from the ’70s and ’80s!
Smokey 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.
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.
Take a trip back to 1980s video games, when home consoles filled family rooms with joysticks, cartridges and pixelated adventures.
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.
1982 makeup before-and-after looks show how bold color and styling shaped beauty routines and still resonate today — discover vintage transformations in action.
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.
Remember that little toy from the 70s where you pressed on the back with your finger and it changed colors? Find out about Space Fidgits here.
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.
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.
In 1965, Instant Quaker Oatmeal hit grocery store shelves, and so was born a popular hot breakfast cereal that has lasted more than 50 years.
If you thought 80s style was bad, wait until you see 80s maternity clothes — oversized bows, tent-like dresses and bold patterns galore.
Step back in time with vintage McDonald’s photos, menus and ads from the 1950s through the 1990s, capturing decades of classic fast food history.
Remember Village Lip Lickers? These retro flavored lip gloss tins from the ‘70s and ‘80s are back in the spotlight with a nostalgic look at their history.
Step back in time with 80s Playskool toy sets, from Candy Land Kids to Sesame Street playhouses, and see the classic toys that fueled hours of fun.
Some of the most iconic 80s school supplies have been revitalized for a new generation (assuming they ever went away in the first place). Here are some of our sentimental faves that you can buy new even now!
Take a nostalgic look back at the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, the school tests, badges, and certificates that defined PE class from the 1960s to 1980s.
Explore Dr Pepper history from its quirky origin story to its fizzy rise as America’s oldest major soft drink.
Burger King — the nation’s fastest-growing chain of self-service restaurants — is so delightfully different, no wonder it has caught America’s fancy!
Donna Summer burst onto the disco scene in the 1970s with a bang – her four #1 singles all reached the top chart spot within 13 months of each other – including ‘I Feel Love.’
Here, take a look back at this collection of gorgeous designs and styles of vintage canopy beds that were popular the seventies. Some are some classic and elegant, others modern and breezy, and many fabulously frilly.
Companies promoted it. Celebrities touted it. Everyday people paid attention, and then spent hours in the sun, trying to get the perfect suntan.
