Amazing Photographs Capture Everyday Life in Spanish Harlem in the Mid-1980s
Spanish Harlem, New York’s oldest barrio, is the U.S. mecca where Puerto Ricans first established themselves in the 1940s. One of America’s most vital centers of Latino culture, Spanish Harlem is home to 125,000 people, half of whom are Latino. Continue reading »
Retro Photos Show the Inside of Offices in the 1970s and ’80s
The office has transformed dramatically since the 1970s: in layout, in culture and in technology. It was a decade that saw the worker become more individualistic, with office design becoming more ergonomic and also getting some ‘pop’ in color. The computer was at the start of its journey that would change everything, and therefore so were the working processes. Continue reading »
‘80s Pop Culture Icons as McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys
McDonald’s launched the Happy Meal across the US in 1979, and it will forever feel very ‘80s. (Especially if you grew up in the 1980s.) Like so many ‘80s icons, the Happy Meal’s combination of tasty concept and slick packaging make it a design classic. The Toy Zone, a toy retailer, worked with CGI artist Jan Koudela to cook up imaginary Happy Meal toys and boxes in the style of our favorite and most iconic ‘80s screen heroes.
Top Gun
“Sometimes serving your country and quietly believing yourself to be “the best of the best” is not enough. Sometimes you want a trophy that says TOP GUN on it, too. When you’re casting that kind of arrogance, only one man will do: The Cruiser!” Continue reading »
Portraits of Couples, Gangs, Children, Friends, and Carnival People at California County Fairs in the Late 1970s
Back in the 1970s, a young man went to work for a carnival concessionaire who, each summer, took a portable photo studio on the road to county fairs across California and the west. For a few dollars, you could have a portrait-sized or larger photo of you and your loved-one to frame and put up on the wall, in only 15 minutes. Pre-digital, it was a good deal. Continue reading »
Amazing Behind the Scenes Photos From the Making of ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child’
A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child is a 1989 American gothic slasher film directed by Stephen Hopkins and written by Leslie Bohem. It is the fifth installment in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, and stars Lisa Wilcox, and Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. The film follows Krueger, using a now pregnant Alice Johnson’s baby’s dreams to claim new victims. Continue reading »
Fabulous Photos Show Billy Idol’s Styles in the 1970s and ’80s
Born 1955 as William Michael Albert Broad, English musician, singer, songwriter and actor Billy Idol first achieved fame in the 1970s emerging from the London punk rock scene as the lead singer of the group Generation X. Subsequently, he embarked on a solo career which led to international recognition and made Idol a lead artist during the MTV-driven “Second British Invasion” in the United States. The name “Billy Idol” was inspired by a schoolteacher’s description of him as “idle”. Continue reading »
Amazing Behind the Scenes Photos of Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, 1984
When The Terminator hit theaters on October 26, 1984, it took the world by storm. James Cameron’s futuristic thriller redefined both the post-apocalyptic and time-travel sub-genres, while introducing fascinating concepts about the dangers of modern technology. It also cemented Arnold Schwarzenegger’s status as one of the biggest action icons of the 1980s and beyond. Continue reading »
Lamborghini Athon, an Amazing But Forgotten Concept Car From 1980
At the 58th Turin Motor Show, held in April 1980, Bertone introduced a new concept car based on a Lamborghini chassis – a slightly unusual choice, given that Lamborghini was in dire financial straits at the time. The press release from the Turin coachbuilder made it clear that Bertone wanted to support the company. The name Athon, referring to the Egyptian cult of the sun, was appropriate as the car was a spider, completely devoid of a top and intended as a fair-weather car. Continue reading »
A Visual Record of New Jersey Bikes & Ink in the 80s in Photographs by Pulsating Paula
Pulsating Paula tapped us with her eye-popping photographic archive of the New Jersey bike and tattoo crowd she shot back in the ’80s & ’90s. Continue reading »
Ozzy Ironing a Baby, 1983
Ozzy Osbourne ironing a baby in 1983 as photographed by Mark Weiss. Weiss was a photographer for Circus Magazine beginning in the late 1970s where he began photographing Rock music’s legends. He has photographed many popular album covers including several for Bon Jovi. Continue reading »
New Wave Downtown Fashion by Edo Bertoglio
Edo Bertoglio is a Swiss photographer and film director. He received his degree in film directing and editing at the Conservatoire Libre du Cinema Francais in Paris in 1975. He moved to New York City in 1976, where he found work as a photographer for Italian Vogue, and Andy Warhol’s Interview, and other magazines. Continue reading »
Red, White, Blue and Awkward: 20 Hilarious 4th of July Family Photos From the 1980s and 1990s
Some people celebrate the Fourth with fireworks, others celebrate by taking the most awkward family photos of all time. Continue reading »
A Journey Through America in the 1970s and 1980s
Cannon Beach, Oregon, 1971
Photographer Paul McDonough takes on a journey through America in the 1970s and 1980s. The New York-based photographer shows us people on the beach, walking along sidewalks, sitting, flirting and hanging out. Continue reading »
Amazing Photographs Capture Punk Scenes in East Germany During the 1980s
Bluesmass, Berlin, 1983
Harald Hauswald / OSTKREUZ
Beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s there were new movements within the German punk scene, led by labels like ZickZack Records, from Hamburg. It was during this period that the term Neue Deutsche Welle (New German Wave) was first coined by Alfred Hilsberg, owner of ZickZack Records. Many of these bands played experimental post-punk, often using synthesizers and computers. Continue reading »
“In The Midnight”: Denny Busyet Creates Dreamlike Artwork Inspired by 80s and 90s Aesthetic Nostalgia Fuelled by Synthwave
Denny Busyet is a digital artist from Malang, Indonesia. Currently he is in love with 80’s Inspired design and synthwave music, he believes it’s starting to influence his art. Really cool and nostalgic! Continue reading »
The Story Behind the Photographs of Stevie Nicks With Veils on the Roof of Her House in Venice Beach, 1981
Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac stands in the ocean breeze with her trademark flowy dress sleeves rippling dramatically over her head. The photographs were taken by Neal Preston on the roof of Stevie’s condo in Venice Beach, CA during a shoot for People Magazine. Continue reading »
The Original British Skinhead Subculture in Photographic Portraits, 1970-1990
The skinhead subculture was born in England in the late 1960s as an offshoot of the mod culture. Skinheads were distinct from other British subcultures due to their uniform of boots, jeans, braces (suspenders), and the trademark shaved head. Continue reading »
Impressive Portraits of Grace Jones in the 1970s and 1980s
Grace Jones (born May 19, 1948) is a Jamaican-American model, singer, songwriter, record producer and actress. Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, she and her family moved to Syracuse, New York, when she was 13. Continue reading »
Photos Show What Life of American Teenagers Looked Like in the 1980s
The 1980s may feel like yesterday, but the teenagers of the 1980s are now unfortunately distinctly middle-aged. If you’ve tried to explain to a modern child the significance of a pencil to a cassette tape, and they don’t even have a clue what a cassette is, then welcome home. Continue reading »
“Compliments of Chicago”: Gang Business Cards from the 1970s and 1980s
In the 1970s and 1980s, gangs in Chicago advertised their presence and membership on business cards. This was criminality with a dash of style and wit. Meet the Almighty Playboys, the Royal Capris, The Almighty Hells Devils and the Almighty Playboys. Or rather, you’ve been met by them, their signature calling card tucked into their victim’s pocket. Continue reading »
The ’80s Hairdos: One of the Sexiest Hairstyles of All Time
Hairstyles in the 1980s included the mullet, tall mohawk hairstyles, jheri curls, flattops, and hi-top fades, which became popular styles. Continue reading »
Stunning Black and White Photos of Chicago in 1988
“A look at a man plunged into a rugged city in the diversity of his urbanism” is how the sociologist and historian Henri Peretz describes Chicago. Continue reading »
“Rite of Passage”: Striking Vintage Photos of Florida Spring Break in the ‘80s
The traditional Spring Break is an entirely American tradition, a purge of pure hedonism before returning to student life. A tradition which has alcohol, music, sex and vigor at its core. Continue reading »
“Bikes, Broads, Beer, and Boogie”: The Great Collection of Biker Magazines from the 1980s
Easyriders magazine was the motorcycle magazines of the 1970s (with Iron Horse a distant second). Far from being just motorcycle enthusiast rag, it delivered the “biker lifestyle” on its pages. Continue reading »
“The Last Summer in St. Tropez”: International Exotic Glamourwear Catalogue, 1980
The International Exotic Glamourwear Catalogue clearly was the clothing outlet of choice for 1980s prostitutes. But that’s not to say these sleazy styles aren’t worthy of ogling – indeed, there’s something about the tacky splendor of 80s “exotic glamourwear” that guys love. Continue reading »
