1980's Archives - Page 2 of 7 - Retro Reminiscing Video and Pictures

FotoMat: The Iconic Drive-Thru Photo Kiosk

📅 Founded in 1965 – FotoMat started in the mid-1960s and quickly became a recognizable part of suburban America. The company was originally based in Florida.

🏢 Boom in the 1970s – By the late 1970s, FotoMat had over 4,000 kiosks across the U.S., often found in shopping center parking lots. They were a common sight in suburban neighborhoods.

🕰 Innovative for Its Time – At its peak, FotoMat was considered revolutionary because it provided fast photo processing before one-hour labs existed. Customers could drop off film and pick up their prints the next day—something unheard of at the time!

💰 Acquired by Kodak – In 1980, Kodak bought FotoMat, hoping to use it to expand its film processing services. However, as technology advanced, demand for film development began to decline.

🎥 Early VHS Rental Pioneer – Before Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, FotoMat was one of the first companies to offer movie rentals by mail in the early 1980s. Customers would order a VHS or Betamax movie from a catalog, and it would be delivered to a nearby kiosk for pickup.

📉 The Decline – The rise of one-hour photo labs, drugstore processing, and eventually digital photography made FotoMat less relevant. By the early 2000s, the brand had all but disappeared.

🏗 Repurposed Kiosks – Many former FotoMat booths were converted into coffee stands, smoothie shops, flower kiosks, and even small banking kiosks. Some still exist today with new uses!

Get notified when your packages arrive!

Johnny Mathis Announces Retirement: A Legendary Career Comes to a Close

Johnny Mathis performing in October 2024 at Flagstaff, Arizona.

After more than seven decades of serenading audiences with his velvety voice, Johnny Mathis, the iconic crooner, has announced his retirement. Known for timeless classics like Chances Are, Misty, and Wonderful! Wonderful!, Mathis has been a defining voice in American music since the 1950s.

At 88 years old, Mathis has continued to perform tirelessly, delighting fans with his signature blend of jazz, pop, and romantic ballads. His influence spans generations, with a career that includes over 360 million records sold worldwide, making him one of the best-selling recording artists of all time.

Mathis’ decision to step away from the stage marks the end of an era for fans who have cherished his smooth vocals and heartfelt performances. Though he will no longer tour, his vast catalog of music ensures that his legacy will live on. From his Christmas albums that have become holiday staples to his enduring love songs, Johnny Mathis’ contributions to music are immeasurable.

As he bids farewell to the spotlight, Mathis leaves behind a remarkable legacy—one that will continue to enchant listeners for generations to come.

Thanks for the many years of magic!

You need add this to your collection if you are a Johnny Mathis fan!

Lite-Brite: The Timeless Toy That Continues to Shine

For over 50 years, Lite-Brite has been a beloved toy that has captivated children and adults alike. With its simple yet innovative design, this glowing masterpiece allows users to create vibrant, illuminated images using small colored pegs. But beyond being a nostalgic favorite, some versions of Lite-Brite have become valuable collector’s items, fetching hundreds of dollars in the resale market.

The History of Lite-Brite

Lite-Brite was invented in 1967 by Joseph M. Burck, a designer at Hasbro. Inspired by the dazzling effect of stained-glass windows, Burck wanted to create a toy that let children “paint with light.” The first models came with a lightbox, a black perforated screen, and colored translucent pegs that, when placed, created glowing images.

The toy became an instant success, with Hasbro releasing character-themed templates featuring Mickey Mouse, Scooby-Doo, and other popular figures. Over the years, Lite-Brite has evolved into digital versions, LED models, and even app-based designs, ensuring its continued relevance in a modern, tech-driven world.

The Lite Brite is still made and sold today! Pick up one with the same retro aesthetics here!

Keith Richards Honored with Inaugural Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence

Westport, CT – The Westport Library played host to a historic moment as legendary musician Keith Richards was honored with the inaugural Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence. The award, which recognizes Connecticut residents who exemplify the state’s values of creativity, resourcefulness, passion, dynamism, and generosity, was presented by Governor Ned Lamont in a ceremony attended by local dignitaries and community members.

Bill Harmer, Executive Director of the Westport Library, opened the event by emphasizing the significance of both the award and its first recipient. “Keith Richards is a man whose legacy transcends music, community, and culture,” Harmer said. “His impact here in Connecticut is immeasurable.”

Richards, who has been a resident of Connecticut since 1985, has been actively involved in supporting various community initiatives, including the Prospector Theater in Ridgefield, which provides inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. His contributions to the arts and education accessibility in the state were highlighted as key reasons for his selection as the first recipient of the prestigious award.

The Governor’s Award of Excellence comes with a custom-designed medallion created by State Trooper Danny Carbalhal and manufactured by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology. The ribbon for the award was designed and sewn by Enfield-based fashion designer Justin Haynes.

During his remarks, Governor Lamont spoke about Richards’ deep ties to Connecticut and his influence on both culture and civic life. He recalled the iconic moment when the Rolling Stones performed an impromptu set at Toad’s Place in New Haven decades ago and reflected on Richards’ journey to Connecticut with his family in search of a quieter life. Lamont also humorously noted that Richards’ music has served as his personal inspiration in decision-making as governor.

Upon receiving the award, Richards expressed gratitude to the state and its people. “I’ve been here for about 40 years, and it’s been a great place for me and my family,” he said. “I’m incredibly happy about everything, especially things like this because you don’t get them every day.”

In addition to the Governor’s Award, Richards was presented with a special surprise—his own Westport Library card, recognizing his appreciation for libraries as institutions of knowledge and equality.

The ceremony concluded with a celebration of Richards’ legacy, not only as one of rock and roll’s greatest musicians but also as a dedicated member of the Connecticut community.

The Voting Machine

Here is the voting machine I remember most. In my school, they were kept by the custodian’s office and we thought we were so clever discovering where they store them. They’d wheel them out the night before election day and set them up in the gymnasium. I also remembered when the bars had to remain closed until the polls closed so the “drink” would have an influence on the person’s vote.

Were You A ToysRUs Kid?

There was nothing more magical than taking your kids to ToysRUs where there were toys as far as the eye could see. Watching them dart from one end of the aisle to the next in sheer excitement was such a joy to witness. Somehow I don’t see how online shopping can be as magical.

At its peak in 2000 ToysRUs had over 1,600 stores worldwide. ToysRUs failed to capitalize with an online prescience which accelerated its demise. The company also faced financial difficulties due to high debt levels resulting from a leveraged buyout in 2005. n 2017, Toys “R” Us filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States and Canada. Despite efforts to reorganize Toys “R” Us announced in March 2018 that it would liquidate its U.S. operations and close all of its stores. There is a ToysRUs.com now, but somehow it’s not the same as seeing the magic in your kids’ eyes at the store.

Crazy Calls Answering Machine Tape…Did You Have One?

As answering machines became increasingly integrated into everyday life, some individuals sought to go beyond the standard outgoing message of “Hi, I’m not home, but leave a message and I’ll call you back.” These nonconformist answering machine users desired outgoing messages that better reflected their personalities. For those aiming for a detached coolness, a deadpan “You know what to do” was often sufficient. Those with a mischievous sense of humor commonly employed the timeless trick of answering with a simple “Hello?” followed by a deliberate pause, tricking incoming callers into thinking they were speaking to a live person before the “I’m not here” message resumed. Zing! Many others took it a step further by creating their own humorous skits or songs, much like George Costanza from Seinfeld.

But what about those who wanted to elevate their outgoing message game without putting in the creative effort themselves? In the mid-1980s, a range of pre-recorded cassettes featuring mildly funny bits, including songs in various music styles, became readily available to fill this market gap.

Among the selection, one cassette tape stood out from the rest: Crazy Calls. If you were an avid TV viewer in the mid to late ’80s, you probably recall the commercials for Crazy Calls—a 7-track cassette tape that sold for $14.95, plus $3 for postage and handling. To make a purchase, you could either call an 800 number with a credit card or, with a bit more patience, send a check or money order to a P.O. box in New York City.

The commercials seemed to air incessantly, resulting in snippets of the songs and gags on the tape etching themselves permanently into the memories of numerous TV enthusiasts of that era. Consequently, Crazy Calls has become a frequent reference in ’80s nostalgia within popular culture. It has been mentioned on shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy, and even the 1980s-themed sitcom The Goldbergs dedicated an entire episode titled “Crazy Calls” in 2016, paying homage to the cassette.

The creators of Crazy Calls, Mitch and Ira Yuspeh, are still active in the music industry. They offer recording services and more through their recording studio and production company based in New York City. They also maintain a website dedicated to Crazy Calls, proudly noting that the cassette sold over a million copies through its television campaign.

The 80s Called-They Want Their Radio Shack Back

Founded in in 1921 by 2 brothers RadioShack grew into a prominent retailer with thousands of stores across the United States. During its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s, RadioShack was a go-to destination for electronics hobbyists, providing a wide range of electronic parts, kits, and components. However, starting in the late 1990s, RadioShack faced several challenges that eventually led to its demise like online shopping. Practically everything on your smartphone replaced the products from Radio Shack.

Understanding the need for change, the employees in this commercial embark on a comedic mission to transform the store into a modern and up-to-date retail space. In 2015, RadioShack filed for bankruptcy and announced the closure of over 2,000 stores. In 2017, RadioShack filed for bankruptcy for the second time and announced the closure of over 1,000 stores. Since then, the brand has made occasional attempts to re-emerge as an online-only retailer, focusing primarily on e-commerce sales.

Sophia Perfume

Sophia is a Coty fragrance inspired by the famous Sophia Loren

an icon of style, femininity, grace, and elegance

The perfume was launched in 1981 as an oriental floral, with dominant notes of jasmine and rose.

The huge Sears network had an overall increase of 15% in all fragrance volume during October, the month of its launch in 1980.

ABC Sunday Night Movie (1983 Version)

ABC Sunday Night Movie was a TV staple from 1962 to 2004

The program presented theatrical feature films airing on TV for the first time, often edited for time.

It provided viewers with the opportunity to watch a wide variety of movies from different genres.

The exact movie lineup varied from week to week, so viewers could expect to see a mix of new releases, beloved classics, and occasional made-for-television movies.

The advent of such cable television networks as HBO, Cinemax along with VCRs led to the decline of theatrical films regularly airing