It was 1979 when Xavier Roberts and five of his friends developed the Little People Originals dolls, a loveable but odd-looking children’s toy that would soon become known as the Cabbage Patch Kids.
The Cabbage Patch Kids dolls fade of the 1980’s
The oddly appealing Pet Rocks fad of the 1970’s
Gary said, jokingly, that a “pet” rock would be an ideal pet to own. He explained that a pet rock did not require feeding, walking, grooming, would not die or become sick and would not be disobedient. In short, they would be the perfect pet.
The Car Stuffing fad of the 1950’s
In late 1959, as bored students returned from summer vacation, the sport of phone booth stuffing morphed into a new form. Volkswagen stuffing became all the rage as students tried to stuff as many people as possible into a Volkswagen car.
The P90X exercise program fad of 2004
Kids boast about the intensity of their P90X workouts on the social network websites. Adults attribute stunning, almost unbelievable weight loss attributed to the success of the program. The P90X exercise program is popular with adults and teens.
The history of Panty Raids (1950’s)
Functioning as humorous activities, groups of males raided all-female college residences (dormitories) to secure panties or other intimate apparel as “trophies”, proof that the guys had momentarily crossed a societal barrier and occupied the forbidden territory of a co-ed’s dorm room.
The Hula Hoop fad of the 1960’s
Hula Hoops, the round hoop toy that is twirled around the waist, arms, legs, and neck, became popular in the late 1950’s when a new plastic version was marketed by California’s Wham-O toy company. The toy however, could not be patented because “hoop” toys were an ancient invention.
The history of the Hippie counterculture movement during the 1960’s and its long-lasting impact on America
The 1960’s are defined by the hippie counter-culture craze that impacted the lives of every citizen in the United States and around the world.
The Penny Farthing bicycle fad of the 1860’s
The Penny Farthing bicycle came after the development of the ‘Hobbyhorse’, and the French ‘Velocipede’ or ‘Boneshaker’, all versions of early bikes. However, the Penny Farthing was the first truly efficient bicycle, consisting of a small rear wheel and large front wheel attached to an iron tubular frame with tires made of rubber. It was…
The Poke Bonnet craze of the 1850’s
In the 1850’s, the “poke bonnet” hat reached a zenith in women’s fashion. A poke bonnet is a women’s bonnet (hat) in the shape of a hood, featuring a projecting rim on the front side, which would shade the face of the wearer, and a small crown at the back.
The Prizefighting or Bare-Knuckle Boxing fad of the 1850’s
Prize fighting, or pugilism or bare-knuckle boxing John Lawrence Sullivan Prize fighting, or pugilism or bare-knuckle boxing as it is also known as, is one of the oldest known sports. Two-thousand-year-old paintings on the walls of Egyptian tombs depict ancient Sumerians competing in boxing matches. Boxing was an Olympic sport in 688 B.C. In ancient…
