Illustration of dinner plate containing half eaten hamburger, three fries in ketchup, two pickle slices, and several onions slices.

Charles E. White III is best known for being an unconventional artist whose works are always injected with a bit of humor. He attended the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, and immediately jumped into the world of art by creating interesting billboards and drawing album covers for various musicians. Several of White’s artwork have been displayed at MoMA NYC and the Smithsonian and featured in New York Magazine and Playboy. He has even won a Grammy for his creative illustrations.

Abstract illustration of blue triangle on white background with angular stripes of red and green along one edge.

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Illustrations of blonde-haired woman with blue earrings and necklace on a black and white alternating triangular grid background.

Veronica Lake (1919-1973) was a Hollywood actress from 1939-1970 with her career peak during the 1940s. She starred in film noirs and comedies including her debut, Sorority House (1939), I Wanted Wings (1941) and The Blue Dahlia (1946). Lake was known for her ice-blonde wavy hair, cold demeanor, sexiness, short height (4'11") and "peek-a-boo" hairstyle (hair covering one eye).

Lake married three times to director Andre De Toth in 1944, songwriter Joseph A. McCarthy in 1955 and a commercial fisherman in England in the early 1970s. She had four children total from her first marriage. Throughout her life, she suffered from mental illness and alcoholism. After living in the public eye during the 1940s and 1950s, Lake lived a mostly private life since 1960 until she died in July 1973.

During Lake’s career, she inspired songs and World War II armies. Her legacy inspired fictional characters, books, and films: Jessica Rabbit from Who Framed Roger Rabbit, L.A. Confidential, Veronica Rogers from Archie Comics, and peek-a-boo styles sported by Britney Spears and Aaliyah in their music videos.  

Stylized and geometric illustration of head and shoulders in black on a black and white striped background.

Klaus Nomi, born Klaus Sperber, was a German musician and performer, known for his wide vocal range and unique live shows. He moved to New York City in 1972, but did not truly begin his career in show business until 1978, when he performed in the New Wave Vaudeville and received several invitations to perform across the city. One such invitation came from David Bowie, who hired Nomi as a backup performer for his appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1979. Bowie also served as inspiration for Nomi's notable black-and-white monochromatic quasi-tuxedo suit, which he wore for music videos and live performances. Nomi found success as a solo artist and released two studio albums in 1981 and 1982, as well as several singles. In 1983, he died due to complications from AIDS, and his ashes were spread throughout New York City. 

Illustration of party streamers and confetti on a white background.

Easy Aces, Inc. was a producer of “fun and innovative” kitchen tools, party goods, tech products, and personal accessories, including pin-back buttons. Though they now call themselves Fred and Friends, Easy Aces, Inc. continues to operate out of Cumberland, Rhode Island and solicit local artists for product designs. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, the company sought out photographers, illustrators, and graphic designers to collaborate on pin-back buttons. One such artist who partnered with Easy Aces, Inc. was Barbara Bergman, who developed a confetti-based design in 1979.

Illustration of red anchor in center with blue nautical rope design border around edge of button on a white background.

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Illustration of a flathead wood screw on white background with black border around edge of button.

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Yellow triangle, thin orange line, and area of white polka dots on a blue background.

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Abstract illustration of circles, a white stripe and black wavy lines against a background of red and white.

Back of button says 6/79 found on Tumblr page referencing Button Museum YB 4/17/21

Blue and red triangles, a black circle and yellow geometric shape on a white background.

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