Black text on a white background

The C. M. Paula Company, sometimes shortened to just Paula, was founded in 1958 by Charles McCollough. The Cincinnati-based company specialized in greeting cards, novelty gifts, buttons, and postcards until it transitioned to a holding company in 2004.

Photograph of a cat in the middle of the button with a red box with white text underneath and with a black circle around the center and confetti covered outer edge

Tarder Sauce, known popularly as Grumpy Cat, is a female cat born in 2012. Grumpy Cat became an internet sensation due to her seemingly permanently grumpy looking face. Her distinctive appearance is due to an underbite and feline dwarfism.

The first image of Grumpy Cat, posted by her owner’s brother, appeared on the internet site Reddit on September 22, 2012 and by December, 2012, the Official Grumpy Cat Facebook page had over 7 million “likes”. As of October 2015, Facebook likes on the Offical Grumpy Cat page number over 8 million. Grumpy Cat has made appearances on several national television shows; has been a guest at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas; and is a spokes-cat for the cat food brand Friskies. Grumpy Cat’s likeness and name were trademarked in 2013, and the feline’s image has appeared on a wide range of merchandise including t-shirts, mugs, buttons, and even an iced coffee beverage dubbed “Grumppuccino”.

This button was manufactured by the Busy Beaver Button Co.

Illustration of the top half of a man's head with black glasses, white hair and a yellow lightbulb over him and black text at the bottom

This button is referring to Bernie Sanders, a democratic politician from Vermont. As of 2015, Sanders is serving his second term as the junior senator from Vermont in the United States Senate. Sanders is known as one of the Senate’s progressive leaders, and has focused his political work on issues like economic equality, universal healthcare, LGBT rights, and climate change. Bernie Sanders is also a candidate for the Democratic party’s nomination in the 2016 presidential race. As of October, 2015, he has set himself apart from his competitors by his decision to only accept campaign donations from individuals, rather than Political Action Committees (PACs).

Sanders was considered a long-shot when he first announced his candidacy in April, 2015, however his campaign events have drawn large crowds and he has gained momentum on social media. Polls from September 2015 indicated he was the favored democratic candidate in both Iowa and New Hampshire. This button was designed to support Sanders' 2016 presidential run, the light bulb image used as a metaphor representing an "A-ha!" moment of being made aware of Sanders and his politics.  

This button was manufactured by the Busy Beaver Button Co.

Greenish-black text on a yellow background with a red heart and an illustration of a plant at the bottom

The Royal George Theater is part of the Downtown Theater District in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago. Known for their off-Broadway and pre Broadway productions, the Royal George is part of a circuit of theaters that includes the famous Apollo Theater.

The Lincoln Park area of Chicago was first settled in 1820 and Eastern European immigrants moved into the area throughout the 19^th century as it developed. In the 1920s and 1930s the area had a significant mob presence until the ending of Prohibition, and in the 1960s the Civil Rights Movement rocked the community when the first Puerto Rican immigrants moved in. Today the area is a popular hub of professionals and young people and is home to zoos, theaters, parks, and museums.

Lincoln Park, Chicago. (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2015 from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Park,_Chicago

(2010, May 28). Lincoln Park Theater District. Retrieved from: http://www.upchicago.com/lincoln-park-theater-district

Black text and a red heart on a white background

The I heart NY logo was created in 1977 by Milton Glaser for an ad campaign created by advertising agency Wells Rich Greene. The marketing campaign was sought by then-Deputy Commissioner William S. Doyle to increase tourism in the state of New York. The campaign was a wild success. The original sketch of the logo is permanently on display at the MOMA.

The logo has become iconic in pop-culture and has been imitated in many forms around the world.

TV is an abbreviation for Television. A TV is an electronic object that transmits images and audio through a wire. The first known use of the word occurred in 1945.

Illustration of a brown and red bird perched on a tree branch with pink flowers on a blue sky and white background with black text across the top

The American robin (also known as red robin) is songbird and is part of the thrush family. It is widespread across the North America . It is the state bird for Michigan, Connecticut and Wisconsin.

This button refers to the National Audubon Society, which is tasked with conserving and restoring natural ecosystems. It was established in 1896 in Massachusetts. However, it only existed in individual states in its first few years. It wasn’t until 1901 did the other state-level societies combine into a loose national organization, that later cemented into a national society. Many laws have been passed and several acts ratified because of the work of the National Audubon Society.  The Society’s primary goal is protecting birds, but it also works towards protecting the rest of nature. The National Audubon Society is still around today and continues its mission

Blue background with stars and a white stripe across the middle with blue text on it.

The phrase on the button is popular among advocates of organ donation. Organ donation consists of the giving of tissues or organs by a living or dead person to a recipient who needs the transplant. Around the world, hundreds of thousands of people await donations. To catch up to the number of donations needed, some countries like Austria and Spain have passed legislation that makes the entire population into potential donors, unless they choose to opt-out. Organ donation in the United States can be done only with the permission of the patient or their family, causing the list of people awaiting donations to grow longer, prompting activists to encourage people to donate their organs.

Organ Donation. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2015 from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_donation

Illustration of a pink carnation with green leaves and stem on a white background with black text along the top and bottom edge.

American Pepsin Gum Company provided a give-away button that was part of a collectible set. Many gum manufactures in the late 1800s used pepsin powder in their chewing gum and marketed it as a way to aid indigestion. Pepsin was thought to settle stomach issues and help people with digestive concerns. Pink Carnations are sometimes believed to be a symbol of a woman/mother's pure love. 

Illustration of three yellow tulips with green stems and leaves on a white background with black text on the top and bottom

This button was a give-away button from American Pepsin Gum Company and was part of a collectible set. Many gum manufactures in the late 1800's used pepsin powder in their chewing gum and marketed it as a way to aid in digestion. Pepsin was thought to settle stomach issues and help people with digestive concerns.

The tulip is a classic flower that has been in cultivation since the 13th century.  In the 1600's, the tulip's popularity flourished when Turkish traders introduced the flower to the Dutch.  In the 17th century, tulip bulbs were commonly traded as currency. Though the tulip is sometimes seen as a flower of love, the Victorians recognized the tulip as a symbol of charity.

Illustration of a purple violet with green leaves on a white background with black text on the top and bottom edge.

This was a give-away button from American Pepsin Gum Company and was part of a collectible set. Many gum manufactures in the late 1800's used pepsin powder in their chewing gum and marketed it as a way to aid in digestion. Pepsin was thought to settle stomach issues and help people with digestive concerns.

The violets seen here allude to Christian symbolism, which are said to embody the humility and modesty of Mary. Other Christian illustrations for the violet represent spiritual wisdom and faithfulness, as seen in this particular button.