Blue background and black text with a color illustration of a light-skinned man with his eyes closed and tongue out. He has flames emerging from his back, holes in his body, knife in his chest, rope around his neck, and axe embedded in his head. 

The image seen here reflects a dark slapstick humor typical of mid-century novelty art: a cartoon man humorously depicted as being ‘killed” in exaggerated ways, such as with an axe, rope, knife, fire, and gunshots. While the visuals are violent, they aren’t meant to be morbid; instead, they play on the phrase “you kill me,” meaning “you’re hilarious.” This kind of wordplay and absurd humor was popular on joke items, especially in 1966 when this particular button was made, likely for dime stores, fairs, and amusement arcades. Many of these buttons were made in Japan for export to the U.S. novelty market by companies, such as the Topps Company, Inc., which produces trading cards and other collectibles. 

Illustration of a gray hippo standing in green grass with black text on a white background

Sandra Boynton began her career as an illustrator designing greeting cards for Recycled Paper Greetings in the 1970s. In the 1980s, Recycled Paper was selling 50 to 80 million Boynton cards each year. Boynton wrote her first book, Hippos Go Berserk, in 1977 and has since written and illustrated more than 50 books for children and adults. Boynton also designs characters and animals for companies to use instead of licensing her illustrations to be adapted. Her creations can be found on calendars, buttons, clothing, wrapping paper, and other items.

Her characters are also featured in her nonfiction book, Chocolate: The Consuming Passion, which provides a unique commentary on the history, varieties, and uses of chocolate.

Sepia-toned black and white portrait of a man with brown hair and a brown mustache

Max C. Starkloff was a physician and surgeon who was the Health Commissioner of St. Louis, Missouri in 1895-1903 and 1911-1933. He is notable for his quick and sustained action during the 1918 Spanish Influenza Pandemic. Instead of downplaying the pandemic like many of the other major cities at the time did, Starkloff understood the seriousness of the situation. Within just two days of confirmed flu cases, extreme public health policies were put into effect which prohibited large social gatherings closed schools, bars, religious institutions, and other public meetings. 

Of course, this was met with backlash as the people of St. Louis thought this was an overreaction and people became furious as the mitigation policies went on for months. Regardless of the social pressure, Starkloff remained firm in the belief that social distancing would save lives. In the end, St. Louis was a model city as it had the lowest mortality rate of any major US city. His heroic efforts to remain swift and firm to combat the influenza is considered one of the early instances of modern medicine social distancing.

White background with green and red text and a red and pink illustrated flower around the outer rim

First created by the Hartman brothers in Georgia, Mountain Dew is a popular soda which can be easily recognized by its bright, lime green color. Since the product’s release in the 1940’s, Mountain Dew has used slogans such as, "It'll tickle your innards," "Do the Dew," and the phrase seen on this button, "Put A Little Ya-Hoo in Your Life." 

Throughout the brand's evolution, Mountain Dew has remained one of America’s best-selling soft drinks.

Red text on a yellow background and a green outer rim with pink and red polka dots. Three illustrated children in the foreground are reading a large white book with a colorful cartoon anthropomorphic aardvark on the cover. 

Book It! is a children’s reading program that began in 1984. It was created by a former Pizza Hut president who was motivated by President Reagan’s push to get corporations involved in education and his own son’s struggles with reading. The program encourages children to read by rewarding their accomplishments with award certificates and pizza from Pizza Hut restaurants. It is run every year from October to March through elementary schools and the reading goals are established by teachers for their students individually. 

This Book It! button debuted in 1985.

Black text with accompanying color illustrations depicting six industries around the outside of the button with an off-white circle framed by a filagree design in the center

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White text on a black 

Black illustration of a Pekingese dog with black text and a red heart above and black text below

The Pekingese is a toy dog breed. Their existence is traced back to 200 B.C. China, where they served as court dogs and prized objects of trade. They were a symbol of elite China, as seen in the diplomatic gifting of Pekingese pups to figures including Queen Victoria and Alice Roosevelt. The breed has seen a resurgence recently with Wasabi the Pekingese winning "Best in Show" at both Westminster and the American Kennel Club in 2022.

Red text on a white background surrounding an anthropomorphic illustration of a red meatball. The meatball has eyes, a nose, a mouth, white hands and legs, and red high-top sneakers. 

Morty the Meatball was the short-lived mascot for the Mission Macaroni Company. Mission Macaroni was founded by Italian immigrant Guido Merino in San Francisco during the Great Depression. Morty was featured in 1970s commercials for the company saying his signature catchphrase "I'm a luva-luva you."