When America Was Besotted With the Bedazzler
The Bedazzler—a rhinestone-stamping arts and crafts tool—promised to turn plain pairs of jeans into designer duds. If you squinted.
The Bedazzler—a rhinestone-stamping arts and crafts tool—promised to turn plain pairs of jeans into designer duds. If you squinted.
In 1976, red M&Ms were pulled from shelves. In 1987, they staged a comeback thanks to an enterprising college student.
'A Christmas Dream' aired in 1984 and sees Mr. T as a sidewalk Santa who teaches Emmanuel Lewis a little something about the kid's 'bad attitude.'
Baby Alive, a popular realistic doll, boasted of what toy company executives referred to as the "eww factor." It made a number two in its diaper.
The foam fashion accessory widened female frames in the go-go '80s, but its critics charged it was much ado about stuffing.
Jolt Cola debuted in 1986 and promised a departure from the "wimpy" Coca-Cola and Pepsi offerings by promising almost as much caffeine as soft drinks could legally contain.
When Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield met for a second time on June 28, 1997, Tyson gave the crowd plenty to chew on.
'Miami Vice' star Don Johnson parlayed his fame in the 1980s and recorded a surprisingly well-received album.
While toddlers are often seen sporting this definite fashion don't, a number of adults have rocked the look—dating all the way back to the Middle Ages.
The tiny photo processing kiosks could be found everywhere in the 1970s and 1980s. And that was the problem.
In the early 1980s, provocative stand-up comic Andy Kaufman decided to pursue an unlikely career path as a pro wrestler. It made him the most hated man in Memphis.
The popular kid's show 'The Great Space Coaster' ran from 1981 to 1986, won awards, and employed some of the minds behind 'Sesame Street.' So why is it so hard to find?
On November 12, 1970, a dead beached whale in Oregon needed to be disposed of. Experts determined the best method would be to blow it up using dynamite. It did not go as planned.
The music video for Wang Chung's hit song was banned by the BBC because an advising physician thought it might induce seizures in some viewers.
The Care Bears were the result of Kenner wanting a unique teddy bear and American Greetings looking for a greeting card you could hug.
The two-sport athlete slammed home runs in baseball and rushed for 950 yards in football, but it was an endorsement deal with Nike that made Bo Jackson a household name.
Bop It, the popular kid's toy, started out as something called Remote Out-of-Control that required players to pull, twist, or bop it. The last one stuck.
The biggest fad of 1994 was an optical illusion that had people staring at abstract images and getting upset when nothing happened.
The Flowbee vacuum cleaner attachment became an infomercial sensation for promising to trim hair with the help of the household Hoover.
Late-night host Johnny Carson thought he was making an innocent joke about a shortage of toilet paper. Then the panic buying began.
The all-in-one exercise machine used revolutionary marketing to convince consumers they could achieve physical perfection. Most people wound up using it as a clothes rack.
In the fall of 1990, kids annoyed teachers with slap bracelets that instantly curled around their wrists. They also resulted in instant litigation.
In 1993, General Mills spent $34 million telling consumers they could eat their new cereal, Fingos, dry and right out of the box. Consumers already knew that.
From Nancy Drew to Magic Tree House, these classic children’s book series are still going strong today.