The Puzzle Place is an American children’s television series that aired on PBS Kids from 1995 to 1998 The show was set in a magical place called The Puzzle Place, where children could come to learn about different kinds of puzzles The puzzles were used to teach the children about math, science, language arts, and other subjects The show’s episodes often dealt with important social issues, such as bullying, racism, and sexism It became one of PBS Kids’ most popular series on the line-up since Sesame Street Despite its popularity it was replaced by Between The Lions in April 2000.
Do You Remember Gateway Computer’s Boxes?
Gateway Computers, also known as Gateway 2000, was a well-known American computer hardware company that played a significant role in the personal computer (PC) industry during the 1990s and early 2000s. Founded in 1985 by Ted Waitt and Mike Hammond in Sioux City, Iowa, Gateway gained popularity for its direct-to-consumer sales model and distinctive cow-spotted boxes.
In its early years, Gateway Computers focused on building and selling high-quality PCs that were aimed at the home market. The company quickly gained attention by offering competitive pricing, attractive designs, and excellent customer service. They became known for their commitment to customer satisfaction and the “Gateway Experience,” which included on-site service and support.
During the 1990s, Gateway’s rise was remarkable. The company expanded its product line beyond desktop computers, adding laptops, servers, monitors, and other peripherals. They capitalized on the growing demand for PCs, especially among home users and small businesses. Gateway became one of the top PC manufacturers in the United States, competing against industry giants like Dell and Compaq.
In 1997, Gateway made a strategic move by acquiring eMachines, a brand known for its low-cost PCs. This acquisition allowed Gateway to reach a broader market segment and further solidify its position in the industry. However, this decision would later contribute to the company’s decline.
Despite initial success, Gateway Computers faced numerous challenges in the early 2000s. The company struggled to keep up with the rapidly evolving technology landscape and changing consumer preferences. They failed to adapt quickly enough to the shift towards portable devices, such as laptops and later tablets, which impacted their market share.
Additionally, Gateway faced increased competition from other PC manufacturers, particularly Dell and Hewlett-Packard (HP), who were aggressively cutting prices and improving their supply chain efficiencies. These factors, along with the bursting of the dot-com bubble and an economic recession, adversely affected Gateway’s profitability.
In an attempt to reverse its fortunes, Gateway underwent various restructuring efforts. They closed their retail stores and shifted towards selling their products through third-party retailers. They also tried to diversify their product offerings by venturing into consumer electronics, including flat-panel TVs and digital cameras. However, these efforts were largely unsuccessful in revitalizing the company.
In 2004, Gateway announced its decision to acquire eMachines, a move aimed at targeting the value-conscious consumer market. This integration resulted in a consolidation of operations and cost-cutting measures, but it failed to bring about a significant turnaround. Eventually, the Gateway brand itself was phased out in 2007 when the company was acquired by Acer, a Taiwanese computer manufacturer.
The fall of Gateway Computers can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the company’s inability to adapt to changing market trends, increased competition, and strategic missteps. Despite its decline, Gateway remains a notable part of PC industry history and serves as a reminder of the rapid evolution and competitiveness of the technology market.
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.
Wednesday Is Prince Spaghetti Day!
Anthony! The Prince Spaghetti Day ad ran for 13 years starting in 1969. Sadly, Anthony Martignetti passed in 2020 at the age of 63. Prince Pasta is now owned by New World Pasta. Would that make it the Pasta formerly known as Prince?
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
The White Knight & The Doors
Ajax’s White Knight was a popular ad campaign in the 1960s to compete with Procter and Gamble’s Mr. Clean. Stronger Than Dirt ad campaign influenced the Doors to end their popular song Touch Me with that very phrase!
Did Mercury Ruin The Cougar With This Model?
The car model maybe, but certainly not Farrah!
In 1970 unknown actress Farrah Fawcett starred in this ad for the Mercury Cougar. This was the “second generation” of the car. The first generation Cougar was a “pony car” to compete with the Chevy Camaro. A pony car is a class of compact, sporty vehicles inspired by the success of the Ford Mustang. This Cougar had a longer and wider body featuring a more pronounced grille and a more formal appearance. It listed for $4791 which is the 2023 equivalent to over $39,000.
Farrah’s career of course went on to be a huge success with her own shampoo line and Charlie’s Angels.