The Retro Blog

Squirrel Fashion, 1944

2009-07-09T20:32:41Z

Life magazine has posted a gallery of 1944 squirrel fashions. I like this one’s dog statue companion.

Un-PC Orange Crush ad

2009-07-09T01:27:18Z

I think this one’s a two time offender. Besides the obvious bit about the headline, am I the only person who thinks the mascot looks a little like he’s in blackface? [via vintage ads]

The design genius of Charles + Ray Eames: a TED talk

2009-07-07T18:07:18Z

TED, the non-profit devoted to Technology, Entertainment, and Design that organizations giant conferences in which great minds give 18 minute talks, recently posted a video of Eames Demetrios discussing his grandparents, Charles and Ray Eames.

Sam Cooke: soul pioneer

2009-07-06T22:31:44Z

Born in Mississippi in 1931 to a Baptist minister, Sam Cook had a pretty good gospel singing career going by the time he hit his teenage years. By the mid 50s, his record label was pressuring him to release pop songs to broaden his fan base. He released a song called “Lovable” under an alias, Dale Cooke, but his easily recognizable voice gave him away to his gospel fans, many of whom felt betrayed. He was booted from his gospel group, but it probably didn’t matter much because in 1957 he released “You Send Me” which made is to number one on the Billboard charts. Here he is awkwardly lip singing the song to a bunch of white teenagers:

On December 11, 1964, Cooke met a woman named Elisa Boyer at a club in LA. They went to a motel and at some point Boyer ditched him, taking most of his clothes with her. She later called the police, claiming she had escaped after being kidnapped by Cooke. An enraged Cooke thought Boyer was hiding in the motel office so, still half naked, he broke in and after a struggle was shot dead by the motel owner, Bertha Franklin. It was ruled a justifiable homicide, but many people still want the case reopened. Elisa Boyer’s story was called into question as it was found that she had likely robbed Cooke. Her reliability took a blow when she was later arrested on prostitution charges. A fringe group of people (that weirdly includes Etta James) believed that there was a conspiracy to kill Cooke, although no evidence to support this has been found.

Sam Cooke had one final hit, though, and it was to become on of the most memorable songs of the Civil Rights movement. “A Change is Gonna Come” was performed on the Tonight Show, but the tape was destroyed and thus it seems that footage of Cooke performing the song is hard to come by. The song is still popular, and was quoted by President Obama in his victory speech.

50 Beautiful Vintage Posters

2009-07-06T04:34:14Z

Abduzeedo brings us a lovely little post called “50 Beautiful Vintage Posters.”

Independence Day, 1940

2009-07-05T00:24:34Z

Retro bowling bag Nintendo cases

2009-07-04T05:28:54Z

I’m pathetic. I went bowling two nights ago and I’m still sore. It’s pathetic. Who gets sore from bowling? I guess I should stick with video games. That’s why I’m digging these retro bowling bags for the Nintendo DS and the Wii. They’re from Brunswick, makers of actual bowling related goods.

Retro styled paper computer speakers

2009-07-03T01:58:00Z

If you’re feeling crafty and can navigate your way through a Japanese web site, you should check out these paper computer speakers from Princeton. You fold them yourself into cute little retro designs.

Old pharmaceutical advertisements

2009-07-03T01:50:24Z

This collection of retro medicine ads features such wonderful remedies as booze for your baby, cough medicine with cannabis, and anti-depressants containing methamphetamine. Ahh, the good old days. [via weird universe]

Creepy vintage ads

2009-07-03T01:39:19Z

Retro comedy has a post up of the 15 creepiest vintage ads, like this one for men’s slacks.