I’ll skip the magazine this time and grab a pack of Camels instead. Back in 1950, handing out free treats while delivering magazines was pretty common. The person in the photo seems nice enough—maybe the candy stripers will soon arrive with a tasty lunch tray to brighten the day!

We didn’t have a TV until I was around 13 or so, which surprisingly means I rarely watch TV these days, as I mentioned recently. But what we did have, and I really loved, was a device like this with a super selection of images. We only had one, so my sister and I would take turns viewing it, which was always a fun little adventure. It was wonderful because it didn’t need to be plugged in—perfect for the curious boy I was back then.

There was a time when many guys aspired to look like these super cool dudes. While I admit I’ve made my share of mistakes, dressing like this wasn’t one of them.

During the peak of the polyester phase, I bought a shirt I thought I could wear comfortably. I was in Washington, DC, during one of their intense heat waves. I put the shirt on, stepped out into the heat, and about 30 minutes later, I found myself back at the hotel, drenched in sweat. Polyester doesn’t absorb water, so I decided to toss the shirt and wave farewell to that trend.

One of our local Mexican restaurants may have hit the best advertising gimmick. I gave up tequila, however, this may tempt me back.

I live about 4 miles from one of the largest nuclear facilities in the United States. While the facility played a significant role in developing the atomic bomb, today it is home to some of the most advanced nuclear research, including the fastest computer on earth, called “Frontier.” Many of my friends are retired from the “Lab,” as the facility is affectionately known. They are truly dedicated scientists.

On the other hand, I had a chemistry set when I was about 10 years old. My most notable scientific experiment involved a vial of some liquid catching fire, and I put it out using the back of my mom’s favorite hairbrush. Clearly, a future career in science was not in the cards for me.

When I checked on the delivery date, I noticed the “surcharge applied” on my purchase. While this amount is small, I worry this might be something we all have to deal with. This coffee maker is probably made in the far east, which doesn’t seem like a good sign.

Yesterday, I shared my thoughts on shampoo, and I think it’s only fair we hear from Old Spice as well. Honestly, I can’t think of a single man who hasn’t used Old Spice aftershave lotion. Chances are, if you’re in a room with 100 guys, someone will smell it. It was probably the top-selling aftershave—or close to it. And let’s not forget, every young boy eager to impress girls would douse himself in it for a dance or a date. I still use it myself, even though the glass bottles are no longer available, and it’s no longer manufactured by the same company. But whenever I walk into a meeting or a room, I can still feel that confident vibe of Old Spice over any new, less memorable foreign aftershave.

Since childhood I’ve loved fountain pens and have posted about them and penmanship in general. This morning, by accident I discovered a Facebook group titled “Fountain Pen Enthusiasts”. I dove in and this is the first posting I saw. Gee, I’m out of their class for sure.

Not too long ago, a few of us were chatting about some really helpful computer resources. Some of the PC tools back then, like Encarta, were quite impressive. If I recall correctly, that disc was flying off the shelves everywhere. It sold for about $99.00.

Today, it feels like anyone can quickly type anything on our smartphones or computers. Wow, if I had this kind of information back in 1959, I know I would have definitely gotten better grades.

Here’s another interesting piece of advertising history. I’m not sure what’s more impressive: the hair or the way the computer is swinging! I came across this ad in an old magazine, probably from the 1980s. The price tag of $1,795 seems quite steep, and when adjusted for inflation in 2025, that would be about $6,799.

Although I recall buying a fax machine around that time, it cost around $1,400 at the time. Times have surely changed.