I don’t know who first came out with Photo Holiday Cards (probably Kodak), but they are the best invention yet. Every year, I make some photo holiday cards with a picture of my kids and send them to friends and family. Some online stores will now send them out for you! This is my favorite design this year. Now I will have to pull out a beach photo to use.
I remember the old commercial on television with the zebra selling Beech-Nut Chewing Gum. The gum was package under Fruit Stripe and all the animals were striped. The gum was made in the early 1960s as part of the Beech-Nut Chewing Gum line. The gum was bought from Hershey’s in the 2003 by the Farley’s & Sathers Candy Company, Inc. The gum actually has painted on stripes and is still produced.
How many of you have one of these in your closet? A guaranteed fat burner! The ThighMaster was marketed in the 1990s by Suzanne Somers and sold millions. You can still buy one today. “In just twenty minutes a day you can squeeze your way to a trimmer, toned body.” Here is the original commercial:
I found this video on YouTube while searching for information on ellipticals for another blog. You are never too young to start exercising and of course, watching a show that you like while exercising certainly helps. The Barney tune is kind of catchy!
Grape Nuts cereal is still around, but do you remember the old Euell Gibbons commercials? He loved to talk about Grape Nuts being a “back to nature cereal.” Euell Gibbons was born in 1911 and died in 1975 at the age of 64 from an aneurysm from complications of Marfan’s syndrome. In 1974 he made the famous commercial for Grape Nuts asking “Ever eat a pine tree? Many parts are edible.”
I couldn’t find the pine tree commercial, but here is one that he starred in:
William Mathias Scholl decided that he wanted to devot his life to the “science of foot relief” and thus was born Dr. Scholl’s Shoes. He created shoes that fit better and would alleviate foot pain. Dr. Scholl received a MD degree from Illinois Medical College (Loyola) and then started his shoe buiness. The Exercise Sandal was introduced in the United States in 1968 and was instantly popular. By 1972, he had sold over one million pairs. The shoe, which was popular in the 60s and 70s, regained popularity again in the 90s.
Recently, MBT shoes has taken a similar concept and is having success. The uniquely designed sole achieves a more active and healthy posture and walk.
Did you know that The King of England is credited with making suede golf shoes popular? King Edward VIII was King of England from January to December 11, 1936 at which time he abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson (a twice divorced American socialite). His title then changed to Duke of Windsor and he loved playing golf. The shoe, a “reverse calf” or suede was worn in the United States by Edward. It never hurts to look stylish when you are hitting around some golf balls!
Good & Plenty Candy was first introduced in Philadelphia in 1893 by the Quaker City Confectionery Company. It is the oldest branded candy in the United States. In the 1950s, Choo Choo Charlie, the engineer, fueled his train with Good & Plenty Candy. Do you remember the commercial?
If you are looking to see a group or entertainer that you haven’t seen around in a while, you might want to make your Las Vegas hotel reservations now. It seems that a lot of “older” groups headline in Las Vegas. For example, I found the following performing in the 2008-2009 season:
Kenny Loggins
REO Speedwagon
The Animals
Herman’s Hermits
Eddie Money
Paula Poundstone
Three Dog Night
Little River Band
Juice Newton
I was watching one of my favorite shoes – Heroes – and who should appear in a very short lived spot, William Katt. The interesting thing about the appearance is that he actually played a super hero in The Greatest American Hero!
Katt was born in Los Angeles on February 16, 1951 to two American actors, Bill Williams and Barbara Hale. Katt actually auditioned for the role of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars in 1977, but the role went to Mark Hamill. His film credits include Carrie, Butch and Sundance: The Early Days and First Love.
In 1981, he was cast as Ralph Hinkley in The Greatest American Hero and played that role until the series was canceled in 1983. After that series, he would be offered many supporting roles in various series and movies.
