Blue text and image on a white background with a blue border.

Johnson Smith & Company began in Chicago, Illinois in 1914 as a mail-order novelty and gag gift supplier, settling in Racine, Wisconsin in 1926. Johnson Smith & Co. or Johnson Smith Company sold an array of toys including pinback buttons with suggestive slogans meant as ice breakers.  Their 1929 catalogue touts, “These Buttons provide subjects for pleasant jokes and amusing conversations, and thus smooth the way to a more familiar acquaintance and cordial friendship. They are very wittily worded and quite unobjectionable. Wear one and see the effect.”

Blue text and illustration on a white background with a blue border.

Illustration of Susan B. Anthony over a tan background, with curled black text below. 

The image on the button is of an undated sketch drawing of the suffragette Susan B. Anthony. Anthony dedicated her life to fighting for causes such as abolition, labor rights, and equal pay for equal work. 

In 1906, on her 86th birthday, she travelled to Washington, D.C. to give what would be her final speech, in which she expressed hope for future feminist leaders and allies that would follow in her footsteps. Anthony is quoted as saying: “The fight must not cease; you must see that it does not. Failure is impossible.”

Sadly, two weeks later Susan B. Anthony became ill and passed away; she did not get to witness the passing of suffrage for women. However, those courageous inspiring words continue to carry on to this day and as a tribute to Susan B. Anthony, the Nineteenth Amendment (which guarantees the right to vote regardless of sex) was named the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. 

Line illustration of a man's face on the left, and text to the right. The lines, text, and rim are tan, while the background is black. 

Fido Dido is a character invented by Joanna Ferrone and Sue Rose in 1985. He first appeared in apparel worn by trendy New Yorkers. He was licensed by the Pepsi Company in 1987 and became the mascot for 7UP. Fido Dido appears in these advertisements as a young, cool dude who manipulates his sketched world in order to get the refreshing beverage.

Sticker Illustration of a smiling Snoopy over a tan backgrund. Above him is a red heart containing "HI!" and below him is black text. 

Snoopy is a beagle in Charles M. Schulz’ Peanuts. This well-known comic strip started in 1950 and continued until 2000, upon Schulz’ death. Snoopy is Charlie Brown’s dog and is often depicted as fun, imaginative, and somewhat unpredictable. He often creates fantasy stories about writing a novel, becoming an astronaut, and even flying planes.

Since the character’s creation in 1950, Snoopy has become one of the most easily recognizable canine figures in American pop culture and is loved by many.

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy are riding in a sailboat. Two dolphins are jumping out of the water in front, while a larger ship is following behind. The sky consists of green and orange stripes. 

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy make up four of Disney’s core crew of characters known as the “Sensational Six.” The four characters have been on many adventures together over the last several decades, but their most notable pirate adventure is from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode “Mickey’s Pirate Adventure” where Goofy is reunited with his long-lost grandfather, Captain Goof-Beard.  

Mickey Mouse has a long history with nautical adventures, with his first appearance in the 1928 animated film Steamboat Willie where Mickey is a lowly deckhand piloting a steamboat across a river. 

Black and red logo text on a color photograph of the band.

INXS was an Australian rock band and one of the top-selling Australian musical groups of all time. The group reached the height of their fame in the 1980s with hits such as "Need You Tonight" and "Don't Change," in addition to playing legendary concerts such as Live Aid. Unfortunately, in 1997, frontman Michael Hutchence was found dead in his hotel room from a suspected suicide. The band continued to tour after his untimely death until 2012. 

Green text on gold shape of a leaf on a green background.

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White text on a blue background.

The Chicago Cubs are a Major League Baseball (MLB). Founded in 1876 as the Chicago White Stockings, the team was renamed in 1903. The Cubs were a founding member of the National League, and now play in the National League Central Division. The team is affectionally known as “The Cubbies” or “North Siders” and play their home games at Chicago’s historic Wrigley Field. They have a loyal fan base and—regardless of decades of mixed success—are one of the most popular franchises in baseball. In 2016, the Chicago Cubs went on to break a 108-year losing streak curse with their first World Series championship since 1908.

Read more about the History of Cubs Buttons on the Busy Beaver blog.

Black text over a red background. The letters are covered with an oozing orange and yellow fungus. 

In a pivotal scene of the 1993 film Super Mario Bros., Luigi (John Leguizamo) cries out to Mario (Bob Hoskins): “Trust the Fungus!” By taking heed of this exhortation, *SPOILER* Mario defeats Koopa (Dennis Hopper) and saves the day!