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Did you know that prunes are made up of chlorogenic acids, phenolic acids, and select flavonoids that help reduce bone loss? No wonder these healthy fruits were popular and consumed regularly in the early 1900s. However, much to the dismay of California farmers, prune consumption began to decline in the 1940s. This decline continued steadily and, as of 2023, consumption of the fruit is still low compared to the early 1900s.

However, prunes had their moment in the 1980s, thanks to an increase in demand for fiber and intense advertising from the prune industry. While some laughed off marketing strategies such as passing out “I Prefer Prune” buttons in Grand Central Terminal, the strategies proved to be effective enough to increase prune consumption in the 1980s.

An illustration of a toad dressed as a captain. A piece of rope encircles the illustration and red text appears below and above the illustration. 

Captain Toady’s Tasty Products was established in 1987 and is one of the brands of Puget Sound Foods. Puget Sound Foods primarily produces seafood and meat seasonings and rubs and the Captain Toady’s products include tartar sauce, horseradish, and cocktail sauce. 

A photo of David Copperfield, a magician, his hands stretched out in front of him and surrounding the Stature of Liberty. A close-up of the statue's face appears above him along with white text. 

 David Copperfield, born in 1956, is an American magician. He has over 40 years of professional performances and is still practicing as of 2024. In 1983, Copperfield performed one of the most famous illusions in the history of magic in front of a live audience. The illusion was also broadcast on television on the show The Magic of David Copperfield. During the illusion, Copperfield explained he would make the Statue of Liberty disappear and reappear. An audience was seated on a platform facing the statue as it was illuminated by spotlights. He explained to viewers at home that he would not use camera tricks or editing as everything would be done live. A curtain was then raised that covered the statue from view and after a few moments it was lowered, and the statue was gone. The spotlights were shining into an empty space. The live audience and viewers were amazed by the illusion. It was later revealed that the trick was performed by moving the audience and not the statue. The illustration seen on this button was created by Jeff Wack to promote The Magic of David Copperfield. 

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Hot flashes are sudden bursts of intense sweating and skin hot to the touch, associated with menopause and perimenopause for women as early as 40. These flashes can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. These bursts can cause fatigue, irritability, and forgetfulness. The face and neck may turn red, and the heart rate will increase, causing increased sweating. Women may face up to 10 to 15 years of living with hot flashes.

Birthday cards for women reaching their late 40s feature jokes and cartoons centered around hot flash humor. Referring to hot flashes as “power surges” pokes fun at the side effects of growing older while simultaneously empowering women as they age. 

A humanoid frog sits atop a lily pad and snatches a bug with its tongue. The creature is wearing a striped t-shirt and sneakers. 

Garbage Pail Kids is a series of trading cards first released in 1985 as a humorous alternative to the widely successful Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. Comic artist Art Spiegelman (best known for his seminal graphic novel Maus) developed the idea for the Garbage Pail Kids while consulting with the trading card company, Topps. Each card has a unique character with grotesque features, engaging in typical "gross-out" activities. Toady Terry (also known as Croakin' Colin), seen here, was part of the original third series of the cards, released in 1986. Dead Ted, Bad Breath Seth, and Jay Decay are a few of many gross-out cards still collectible today. 

The cards were loved by children, but often viewed warily by parents and adults. The cards' over-the-top illustrations became a distraction in classrooms, resulting in many schools banning the trading cards. Garbage Pail Kids backlash reached a peak In 1988, when Mexico and Australia both prohibited the importation of the cards. The company was also sued for copyright infringement by Cabbage Patch Kids' parent company; the lawsuit was settled out of court. 

Despite all the controversy surrounding the cards, Garbage Pail Kids became a huge commercial success. International versions of the cards were developed in many countries around the world. A short-lived animated series and a live-action movie were released in 1987 and have become cult classics. As of 2024, the cards are still highly collectible: a mint condition version of the rarest card, Nasty Nick, is valued up to $11,000! 

An illustration of a purple dragon named Figment dressed as a chef holds a pot. The pot has blue text on it and a rainbow bursting out of it. Illustration appears on a blue background with yellow rim. 

Figment is the unofficial mascot of the Disney World Epcot park. Figment first appeared as part of the Journey Into Imagination ride and meet-and-greet in 1983. The ride has undergone multiple revisions and has not always been well-received by guests of the park. Figment was created by Tony Baxter and Steve Kirk. 

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The Royal Blind Society of New South Wales was started in 1879 as the Sydney Industrial Blind Institution, evolving into the RBS in 1952. It existed as a separate entity until it was merged with other organizations to become Vision Australia, a national non-profit provider of services for the blind or low-vision impaired.

The “2/-“ on the button represents 2 shillings, a form of currency in use in Australia until conversion to a decimal system in 1966.

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Abner Mikva was an American politician who lived from 1926-2016. He served in all three branches of government throughout his career including as a federal judge, a senator, and as an advisor to President Clinton. Mikva was a mentor to a young Illinois politician, Barack Obama, and was one of the people that encouraged him to run for president. During Mikva’s campaigns for senate, campaign volunteers, including children, were called “Mikva Messengers”, going door to door to talk about the campaign and try to connect with voters.  On August 20, 1978, Vice President Mondale came to Illinois and attended events and rallies promoting local democrats, including Mikva.

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The song “Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues,” alternatively known as “Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues,” or “Wild Women,” was written in 1924 by blues legend Ida Cox. Cox got her start in vaudeville, but when its popularity waned she turned to the blues. Many of her songs were directed to women who were ground down in life, but searching for dignity and respect.