16. Etch-A-Sketch
Where It Was Sold: KB Toys, Toys R Us
Company: Ohio Art Company
Original Price: $2.29*
When it came to toys that helped children learn how to draw and that it was okay to make mistakes and try again, the Etch-A-Sketch was it! With its bright red frame, knobs, and powdery screen, the image of the Etch-A-Sketch is etched in the memories of everyone in America.
Etch-A-Sketch @clickusa / Pinterest
Using the two knobs to move an aluminum stylus around the powdery surface, children could draw anything they wanted and then erase it by simply turning the device upside down. The Etch-A-Sketch is still popular today and probably won’t lose its appeal anytime soon.
17. Troll Dolls
Where It Was Sold: Vending machines, JC Penny, Sears
Company: Dam Things
Original Price: $2*
These fun little dolls were originally created in 1959 but didn’t start hitting the mainstream until the mid-60s. The original Troll Dolls were called “Good Luck Trolls,” not “Treasure Trolls” (as most know them today), and were made from a variety of materials, including wood, rubber, plastic, and felt.
Troll Dolls @d_huserik/Twitter.com
They were usually about two to three inches tall, with colorful fuzzy hair, bright eyes, and smiling faces. Troll Dolls were widely available at stores across the United States and were even sold in vending machines. With their fun and whimsical designs, these dolls became an iconic part of the 1960s toy market and could be found on the bedside tables of most children.
18. Philips EL 3300 Cassette Tape Recorder
Where It Was Sold: Circuit City
Company: Philips
Original Price: Unknown
Everyone who grew up pre-internet remembers what it was like to wait around for their favorite song to come on the radio. Thanks to products like Philips’ EL 3300 tape recorder, everyday people could record whatever they’d like off the radio to be played at their desired time.
Phillips EL 3300 Cassette Tape Recorder @1001hifiofficial / Pinterest
The Philips cassette tape recorder was not just a popular item of the ’60s. It featured an impressive four-track stereo recording system, an adjustable microphone, and an auto-stop function, brought audio recording into the home, and helped shape the future of audio recording.
19. Northern Electric Blanket
Where It Was Sold: JCPenney, Macy’s
Company: Northern Electric
Original Price: $20-$25*
Nothing would be nicer than a cozy blanket to keep you all snuggly and warm for those cold winter nights in bed or those crisp spring mornings drinking coffee on the front patio. But it could sometimes take too long to warm up. That’s where the Northern Electric blanket lent a helping hand.
@RetroFun/Twitter.com
It was a lightweight, electric blanket that could be used on a bed or sofa. It allowed users to adjust the temperature settings for their own comfort. The blanket also featured a special thermal control unit that kept the heat constant and eliminated the need to constantly adjust it.
20. SpaghettiOs
Where It Was Sold: Wegmans, Safeway
Company: Campbell’s
Original Price: $0.25*
In 1965, SpaghettiOs were created by Campbell’s then-marketing manager Donald Goerke, AKA the “DaddyO of SpaghettiOs.” The new canned pasta product soon became a lunchtime and after-school favorite for kids of all ages. SpaghettiOs weren’t just a hit with kids. Adults loved them as well.
SpaghettiOs @groovyhistory / Pinterest
They offer convenience and deliciousness with every can. The original version contained small circles of pasta in tomato sauce. Other varieties were also released over the years, including minis, franks & beans, PizzaOs, and ChiliOs.
21. Tang Drink Mix
Where It Was Sold: Target, Wegmans, 7-Eleven
Company: General Foods
Original Price: $0.75-$1*
Initially created to be a part of astronaut meals, Tang quickly grew in popularity and was available in supermarkets everywhere. Tang was a powdered, citrus-flavored drink mix that became popular in the 1960s, mainly due to its convenience and the fact it contained 100% of the daily recommended Vitamin C intake.
Tang Drink Mix @clickusa / Pinterest
Tang was advertised as a fun and tasty way to stay hydrated during the hot summer months, and that’s exactly when families in the ‘60s would optimize its use. It was often served as an alternative to sugary sodas.
22. Tab Diet Soda
Where It Was Sold: Vending machines, Wegmans, 7-Eleven
Company: The Coca-Cola Company
Original Price: $0.05*
Released in 1963, Tab was the first widely marketed diet soda. It quickly became a popular vending machine go-to product and was found everywhere in America until being discontinued in 2020. Tab was known for its sweet, tangy taste and its distinctive logo.
Tab Diet Soda @clickusa / Pinterest
Originally flavored with saccharin, Tab was later reformulated with aspartame to provide the same great taste but with fewer calories. To this day, it remains a nostalgic favorite for all who survived childhood in the ‘60s. Tab is one of several beverages Coke tested on the public over the years and one of the longest-running.
23. Pampers Disposable Diapers
Where It Was Sold: Wegmans, Target
Company: Procter & Gamble
Original Price: $0.10 per diaper*
The 1960s saw the introduction of Pampers disposable diapers. These revolutionary diapers changed (pun intended) how parents cared for their babies. They were incredibly absorbent and soft, making them a popular choice for many families. The convenient packaging made them easy to take with you on trips, as well as store at home.
Pampers Disposable Diapers @iamksy / Pinterest
Pampers disposable diapers hit shelves in 1961 as Procter & Gambles’ newest gamble. And it paid off. Parents were more than happy to spend a little extra to reduce the diaper messes tenfold.
24. Mr. Clean
Where It Was Sold: Safeway, Walgreens, Wegmans
Company: Procter & Gamble
Original Price: $3-$5*
The iconic bald-headed mascot of Mr. Clean was first introduced in 1958, and his name was eventually trademarked by Procter & Gamble in 1967. The classic multi-purpose cleaner could be found in almost every home during the 60s, and it remains a popular cleaning product to this day.
Mr. Clean @google/Pinterest
Its non-abrasive formula was great for a wide variety of household surfaces, including countertops, tiles, tubs, and appliances. Furthermore, Mr. Clean’s pleasant lemon scent was a welcome addition to any home. It’s no wonder this product has been a staple in American households all these years!
25. Mr. Potato Head
Where It Was Sold: KB Toys, Toys “R” Us
Company: Hasbro
Original Price: $1*
One of the most beloved toys of the 1960s was Mr. Potato Head. This plastic toy allowed children to create their own wacky characters by attaching various body parts to a potato-shaped base. The toy was first introduced in the 1950s but gained widespread popularity in the 60s to the point that it could be found in almost every home.
Mr.Potato Head ©National Institutes of Health/Wikimedia
Mr. Potato Head became so popular that it was even featured in television commercials and comic books. The 1960s also so everyone’s favorite spud spin-off into several variations, including Donald Duck and Mr. Beet Head.
26. Old Spice Shampoo For Men
Where It Was Sold: Walgreens, Wegmans
Company: Shulton Inc. / Procter & Gamble
Original Price: $0.75-$1*
Launched in the 1930s, Old Spice shampoo for Men became a hit for almost a hundred years but began taking off a few decades after its creation. The brand, known for its men’s grooming products, capitalized on the growing interest in male grooming during the 60s.
1960s Old Spice ©Hera Vintage Ads/Alamy
Old Spice is a signature scent, a blend of cloves, citrus, and herbs that quickly became synonymous with masculinity. Today, Old Spice continues to be a popular men’s grooming brand, with the shampoo still a favorite among consumers but also have branched off into deodorant and aftershave as well.
27. GE Hairsetter
Where It Was Sold: Macy’s, Walmart
Company: General Electric
Original Price: $35-$50*
At the time of its release, General Electric’s Hairsetter was an innovative styling tool that allowed women to create perfect curls and waves without the need for curling irons or rollers. The Hairsetter had a compact design that made it easy to use at home, and it quickly became a must-have for women everywhere.
GE Hairsetter @clickusa/Pinterest
General Electric has a long-lasting reputation for quality products, and with its fast heating time and reliable performance, the GE Hairsetter was no exception. Today, many vintage hair enthusiasts still look for this classic styling tool to create stunningly authentic retro looks.
28. Maybelline Mascara
Where It Was Sold: Macy’s, Nordstrom, JCPenney
Company: Maybelline
Original Price: $1 ($0.69 for refills)*
Maybelline Mascara was a game-changer in the cosmetics industry in the 1960s. Its iconic slogan, “Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s Maybelline,” has been voted the most recognizable slogan of the past 150 years. In other words, you may not have used the product, but you’ll know the slogan.
Maybelline Mascara @flickr/Pinterest
In the ‘60s, Maybelline’s Mascara hit new heights thanks to its easy-to-use application methods — which included an applicant wand — and its long-lasting formula. If you think Maybelline Mascara tubes are everywhere now, they were everywhere in the ‘60s, thanks largely to significantly less competition in the cosmetics market.
29. Fiddle Faddle
Where It Was Sold: Wegmans, Safeway, Big Bear, Lucky
Company: ConAgra Foods
Original Price: $1-$2*
A popular snack of the 1960s, Fiddle Faddles, were frequently seen on the grocery store shelf next to Screaming Yellow Zonkers. The former is for snackers with a “nutty side” and the latter for those with a “corny” side.
Fiddle Faddle ©r/vintageads/Reddit
This sweet and salty treat was made of popcorn coated in a caramel-like glaze and topped with crunchy nuts, similar to Cracker Jacks. Fiddle Faddles was perfect for movie nights or enjoying at the ballpark. Although there have been various iterations and competitors, many still swear by the original Fiddle Faddle recipe.
30. TV Dinners
Where It Was Sold: Wegmans, Safeway, Big Bear
Company: Swanson
Original Price: $0.89*
In the 1960s, TV Dinners became all the rage, and Swanson pioneered this convenient dinner in a box. Swanson offered up meals like fried chicken and mashed potatoes, spaghetti and meatballs, and turkey dinners with all the fixings.
Swanson TV Dinners @Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
The appeal of these meals was their convenience and ease of preparation. Families could just pop them in the oven and have a complete meal in no time flat. If they didn’t mind dinner being a little soggy, microwaving the meals would have them from box to table in under 5 minutes. They also came in their own trays, making cleanup a breeze.