White background with a black and white photograph of an astronauts head in a space helmet with a red banner with white text on the outer top edge and a blue banner with white text on the outer bottom edge of the button.

On February 20, 1962 John Glenn became the first man to orbit the Earth. Glenn orbited the Earth several times and traveled a total of over 81,000 miles. He was given a hero's welcome after he had returned from space. He was awarded the Space Congressional Medal of Honor by President John F. Kennedy and was greeted with a ticker tape parade in New York City. Additionally, many schools and streets were named after him throughout the United States.

A white background with blue text at top and bottom with red text on the right and left outer edges and two photographs of astronauts heads in space helmets with blue and red text underneath.

Gemini 3 was nicknamed "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" or just plain "Molly Brown", after a popular Broadway show of the time period.The nickname was coined by the mission's pilot, Gus Grissom, who was accompanied on the flight by John Young. On March 23, 1965 the Molly Brown was launched from Cape Canaveral, went into orbit, and became the first spacecraft to change its orbit. The crew performed radiation and cell growth experiments while in orbit. Later that day, the vessel landed in the Atlantic Ocean and was recovered by the USS Intrepid.

Read more about the History of NASA buttons on the Busy Beaver blog.

White text on a purple square with a side profile of a woman face on a red and white checkered background

Jonathan P. Primley was the creator of the first fruit-flavored gum which he called Kis-Me Gum. The Kis-Me Gum’s slogan stated the gum was “Far better than a kiss.” Kis-Me Gum users could mail in gum wrappers and a small fee and receive key rings, paper dolls, the “Wonderful Playset,” a full-color page that had to be carefully cut apart and pasted onto an outlined sheet to create a color picture, and other small prizes. At one time the gum also had collector’s cards for famous Confederate figures. The portraits were given away in packs of Kis-Me gum and one could mail in 100 Kis-Me wrappers and 25 cents to receive an album for the portraits.

A white cloud with eyes and a mouth on a blue background

Part of a larger collection used to promote the Talking Heads album Little Creatures, the cloud face here is taken from imagery found on the album art. The Talking Heads were formed in 1975 and Little Creatures—released in 1985—was their sixth studio album. Their eclectic sound was classified by many as being punk, alternative, and rock. After the band’s official breakup in 1991, three of the band members (without lead singer David Byrne) attempted to continue performing under the same name until they were sued by Byrne; the three then started performing as “The Heads”.

Illustration of a pink flamingo in front of a blue, black and white cirlce on a white background

Did you know flamingos are pink because of the foods they eat? Lucky us, we get to appreciate these beautiful, balanced creatures in zoos and the watery oases where they live. Their classic pose, the one leg on the ground and the other in the air, is iconic and flamingos are found in a variety of artistic depictions from the highbrow to the lowbrow.

Black and red text on an orange background with a clown

In 1821, John Cooper and Thomas Gould established a brewery in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. When William Van Nostrand acquired interest in 1860, he gradually expanded production and distribution.  His son, Alonzo G. Van Nostrand, originated the “P.B. Ale” (Purest and Best) brand.  In the 1890’s, Alonzo became the sole proprietor of the brewery which was now known as the Bunker Hill Brewery.  It operated until Prohibition.  In addition to P.B. Ale, the brewery also manufactured; Boston Club Lager, Bunker Hill Lager, Old Musty Ale, Owl Musty and Van Nostrand's Porter.

See more photos of pre- and post-prohibition beer buttons on the Busy Beaver blog.

An illustration of a man and a woman at a table with food, beers in hand. The lettering is orange, black, and white.

Old Dutch beer was brewed in Findlay, Ohio, until March 1966. The brewery started as Brilliant City Brewery in 1891 but the production of Old Dutch beer didn’t start until the early 1900’s. In 1898 the brewery was purchased by Peter Krantz and the name was changed to Krantz Brewing Company. During the first years of Prohibition the brewery produced non-alcoholic Old Dutch beer, root beer, birch beer and ginger ale. The brewery closed in 1923 and remained closed for 10 years. With the end of Prohibition the brewery opened again in 1933. In 1936 the name changed to the Krantz Brewing Corporation. Krantz Brewing Corporation merged with International Breweries Inc. of Detroit in 1957. In 1966 the brewery closed and the Old Dutch brand was sold to Associated Brewers of Detroit.

See more photos of pre- and post-prohibition beer buttons on the Busy Beaver blog.

Red heart on a black background in a small circle at the center of the button surrounded by a yellow boarder wtih blue text and an outer white border with blue text

In 1857, Peter Weyand and Daniel Jung established the Western Brewery on Freeman and Bank Streets in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1879, Weyand and Jung partnered with Max Hellman and operated the brewery until 1885. In 1885, following the deaths of Peter Weyand and Daniel Jung, the brewery was renamed the Jung Brewing Company. The Jung Brewing Company operated from 1885 to 1890. In 1890, the brewery was sold and merged with Cincinnati Breweries Company.

In the late 19th century it was common for brewers to promote their beers as healthful or nutritious especially to counter claims of the Anti Saloon League that alcohol was harmful. Jung Brewing went beyond just healthful claims and claimed Red Heart Brand Pilsner sustained life.

See more photos of pre- and post-prohibition beer buttons on the Busy Beaver blog.

Illustration of the head and shoulders of a child in a blue outfit and red hat next to a brown dog on a white background with black text at top and bottom

The Brownbilt Club was a rewards club for customers who purchased Buster Brown shoes. In the 1930s, newspapers advertised special deals and ways to earn points and rewards. For every dollar a customer spent, they earned one credit toward a Brownbilt Club Prize, and customer points were recorded on a club member card kept at the shoe store. Sometimes, Brownbilt Club members would receive souvenirs or other small rewards just for being a member and shopping on certain days. 

Buster Brown Children's Shoe Company, founded in 1904, purchased the rights to the little boy Buster Brown and his dog Tige, who were originally drawn in a comic strip by Richard Outcault in 1902. The company thrived for over 100 years, producing it's own radio show by 1926 and a television show by the 1950s. The Buster Brown Shoe Company changed its name to the Brown Shoe Company, and is now rebranding as Caleres Shoes, owning brands like Famous Footwear, Dr. Scholl’s, and Naturalizer across the United States, Canada, and China.

Brown and lightbrown illustration or photograph of a fort with a lightbrown outer edge with dark brown text on it

The Pioneer Citizens Club was an organization that was affiliated with the Chicago Historical Society. On February 22, 1930 members of the Boys and Girl Scouts participated in a celebration of the Pioneers Citizens Club.