105. Revlon Fire & Ice Lipstick
Where It Was Sold: Walgreens, Woolworth’s
Company: Revlon
Original Price: $1.50-$2.50*
Revlon’s Fire & Ice Lipstick painted the 60s in strokes of bold, daring color, capturing the essence of the confident, modern woman. With its striking campaign featuring a model draped in contrasting warm and cool tones, it promised glamour and allure to every woman who dared to swipe it on.
Revlon Fire & Ice Lipstick @wordpressdotcom/Pinterest
This lipstick was an invitation to embrace one’s own duality and power. Fire & Ice became a symbol of feminine mystique and liberation, a cosmetic revolution that colored outside the lines of traditional beauty standards, making every wearer not just seen, but unforgettable.
106. Ford Mustang
Where It Was Sold: Authorized Ford Dealerships
Company: Ford Motor Company
Original Price: $2,368 for the base model*
The Ford Mustang galloped onto the scene in the mid-60s, instantly embodying the spirit of freedom and adventure that defined the era. With its sleek design, powerful engine, and affordable price, the Mustang was a symbol of the open road and endless possibilities.
Ford Mustang @cbsnews/Pinterest
It appealed to the young and the young at heart, becoming an instant classic through clever marketing that highlighted its cool factor. The Mustang created its own category—the “pony car”—and raced ahead of the competition, making every driver feel like a movie star behind the wheel.
107. Slinky Dog
Where It Was Sold: Hamleys, Toys “R” Us
Company: James Industries
Original Price: $4.99*
Slinky Dog stretched the imagination of children everywhere when it debuted, turning a simple toy into an adventure companion. This playful pup, with its slinking, springy body, brought laughter and joy, encouraging creative play and physical activity.
Slinky Dog @ebay/Pinterest
Slinky Dog was more than just a toy; it was a friend that followed kids from room to room, wagging its tail through the corridors of imagination. Its appearance in popular culture, particularly in television ads, showcased its unique charm and solidified its place in the toy hall of fame, making it a beloved character in the tapestry of childhood memories.
108. Easy-Bake Oven
Where It Was Sold: Sears, J.C. Penney
Company: Kenner
Original Price: $15.95*
The Easy-Bake Oven cooked up a storm in the 60s, serving as the first kitchen for budding chefs. This pint-sized wonder used a simple incandescent light bulb to bake tiny treats, turning ordinary afternoons into gourmet adventures. It was a rite of passage, blending play with real-life skills.
Easy-Bake Oven @Colouring The Past/Facebook
With its promise of independence and the thrill of creating something “all by myself,” the Easy-Bake Oven empowered kids, especially girls, to explore the culinary arts in a time when gender roles were rigid. This delightful oven baked joy, confidence, and endless miniature cakes, leaving a lasting taste of childhood wonder.
109. Matchbox Cars
Where It Was Sold: Woolworth’s, Kmart
Company: Lesney Products
Original Price: $0.59 per car*
Matchbox Cars zoomed into the hearts of children and collectors alike, fueling imaginations with their detailed designs and pocket-sized portability. These tiny vehicles offered a vast world of play, from racing down homemade tracks to navigating tabletop towns.
Matchbox Cars @Google/Pinterest
The genius of Matchbox Cars lay in their ability to replicate real-world vehicles with astonishing accuracy, making them not just toys but treasures. They became a phenomenon by offering an affordable, collectible piece of the automotive dream, allowing everyone to hold a piece of luxury in their palm. Matchbox Cars didn’t just drive on floors; they paved the roads of endless adventures.
110. Green Giant Vegetables
Where It Was Sold: A&P, Safeway
Company: Green Giant
Original Price: $0.25 per can*
Green Giant Vegetables sprouted into the market, quickly becoming a giant staple in American households. With the jolly green mascot towering over fields of verdant produce, the brand symbolized quality and wholesomeness. Their canned and frozen vegetables offered convenience without sacrificing taste or nutrition, making healthy eating easy for busy families.
Green Giant Vegetables @etsy/Pinterest
In an era when TV dinners were king, Green Giant provided a simple way to add a serving of vegetables to any meal, promoting the power of peas and the charm of corn. It wasn’t just about eating your greens; it was about bringing the bounty of the farm right to your table with a friendly “Ho, Ho, Ho!”
111. Zippo Lighters
Where It Was Sold: Tobacco stores, Military Exchanges
Company: Zippo Manufacturing Company
Original Price: $1.95-$4.95*
Zippo Lighters sparked a revolution in design and reliability, becoming an essential tool and a collector’s item. Known for their durability and the distinctive “click” sound upon opening, Zippo lighters offered a slice of Americana that was both functional and stylish.
Zippo Lighters @imgur/Pinterest
Soldiers in the 60s carried them as a reliable source of fire, but they quickly became symbols of resistance and coolness, engraved with personal stories and cultural icons. Zippo wasn’t just lighting cigarettes; it was igniting a flame of individual expression and enduring legacy, proving that even the smallest objects can carry a torch for personal freedom and identity.
112. Alka-Seltzer
Where It Was Sold: CVS, Rite Aid
Company: Miles Laboratories
Original Price: $0.49 per package*
Alka-Seltzer fizzed its way into American medicine cabinets with the catchy jingle, “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is,” becoming the go-to remedy for everything from hangovers to heartburn. This effervescent tablet, combining aspirin, sodium bicarbonate, and citric acid, promised quick relief and delivered with a satisfying fizz.
Alka-Seltzer @etsy/Pinterest
Its ingenious marketing made Alka-Seltzer not just a medicine but a cultural icon, symbolizing instant relief with a dash of fun. It wasn’t just about soothing aches and pains; Alka-Seltzer brought a bubbly personality to the often-dreary world of over-the-counter medications, making it a household name and a party favorite.
113. Hoover Vacuum Cleaners
Where It Was Sold: Sears, Montgomery Ward
Company: Hoover Company
Original Price: $79.95-$149.95*
Hoover Vacuum Cleaners sucked up dirt and competition, becoming a household necessity in the clean-conscious 60s. With innovative designs like the beater bar and self-propelled models, Hoover transformed the tedious chore of cleaning into a less daunting task. Their tagline, “It beats as it sweeps as it cleans,” wasn’t just catchy; it encapsulated the efficiency and effectiveness of their products.
Hoover Vacuum Cleaners @Google/Pinterest
Along with selling vacuum cleaners, they were also selling the promise of a cleaner, happier home. As the leader in the floor-care industry, Hoover didn’t just clean up; it cleaned out the competition, leaving homes spotless and consumers satisfied.
114. Fisher-Price Corn Popper
Where It Was Sold: Toys “R” Us, Sears
Company: Fisher-Price
Original Price: $2.50*
The Fisher-Price Corn Popper pushed its way into the playrooms and hearts of children, becoming a beloved classic with its popping balls and vibrant colors. This simple push toy delighted toddlers with its engaging sound and visual effects, encouraging them to keep moving.
Fisher-Price Corn Popper @ebay/Pinterest
It wasn’t just fun; it subtly promoted motor skills and sensory stimulation, making learning an adventure. The Corn Popper’s enduring appeal lies in its simplicity and the joy of causing a cause-and-effect ruckus. It transformed hallways into lanes of endless discovery, proving that sometimes, the simplest toys leave the longest-lasting impressions on little learners.
115. Crest Toothpaste
Where It Was Sold: Walgreens, Eckerd Pharmacy
Company: Procter & Gamble
Original Price: $0.69 per tube*
Crest Toothpaste revolutionized oral hygiene in the 60s with the introduction of fluoride, earning the first ADA seal of approval for cavity prevention. This minty marvel promised a brighter smile and delivered, turning dental care into a daily ritual of protection against cavities.
Crest Toothpaste @ebay/Pinterest
Crest’s pioneering research and commitment to dental health made it more than just a toothpaste; it was a guardian of smiles across America. Its iconic ads featuring smiling families and the promise of fewer cavities made it the trusted choice for oral care. Crest set the standard for a healthy, happy mouth, making every smile a testament to its efficacy.
116. Breck Shampoo
Where It Was Sold: Woolworth’s, Walgreens
Company: Breck
Original Price: $0.79 per bottle*
Breck Shampoo lathered its way into American showers with its iconic “Breck Girl” s, showcasing women with enviably glossy and healthy hair. This marketing genius, coupled with a formula that catered to different hair types, made Breck a household name.
Breck Shampoo @ebay/Pinterest
It wasn’t just about washing hair; it was about embodying the grace and beauty of the Breck Girl, attainable by every woman. Breck’s allure was in its promise of transformation — from ordinary to extraordinary with just a rinse and repeat. It turned the routine task of hair care into a luxurious ritual, making every user feel a bit more glamorous.
117. Tupperware Containers
Where It Was Sold: Tupperware Home Parties, J.C. Penney Catalog
Company: Tupperware
Original Price: $2.00-$10.00 for sets*
Tupperware Containers sealed their fate as a kitchen revolution with the innovative “burping seal,” a design that kept food fresher for longer. This wasn’t just about storage; it was about changing the way people cooked and preserved food.
Tupperware Containers @1999mustang/Pinterest
Tupperware parties became the social selling phenomenon of the 60s, blending commerce with community, and turning every kitchen into a hub of efficiency and modernity. These containers were symbols of post-war prosperity and the modern homemaking ideal. Tupperware kept families at the forefront of innovation, making meal prep and preservation a breeze.