Photograph of the characters E.T., the extra-terrestrial, and Elliott, the boy who befriends him, surrounded by foliage and against a blue background.

Promotional item for the popular 1982 science fiction film E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. The film was directed and produced by Steven Spielberg and tells the story of a young boy who befriends an alien stranded on earth and helps him return home. E.T. was the highest-grossing film of 1982, and remains among the highest-grossing films of all time.

Button divided into horizontal halves. Black text on white background on top half of button. The Entertainment Channel logo in red text on black background on bottom half of button.

The Entertainment Channel, now known as E!, is an American basic cable network. The network was created in 1987 and aired movie trailers, entertainment news, event and awards coverage, and interviews. Later, it was acquired by Comcast and the programming changed to include more reality television programs. 

Sepia toned portrait photograph of a woman in party dress faded into a cream background.

Emma Juch (1861-1939) was a popular American soprano opera singer of Austrian decent. From the age of 18 until her marriage in 1894 to former District Attorney Francis L. Wellman, she performed in both operatic and concert stages in the US and abroad. She was the first singer contracted by the newly established American Opera Company in 1886. When it folded a year later, she boldly launched her own company, Emma Juch Opera Company. Juch sang in four languages, designed many of her gowns, and was widely praised.

Sweet Caporal Cigarettes were produced by Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company, New York, starting in 1878. Shortly after, Kinney Bros merged into the giant American Tobacco Company. A.T.C.'s monopoly was broken in 1911 but they retained Sweet Caporal. The popularity of the brand may be linked to its novel use of collectible cigarette cards included in each pack. Some examples were Victorian theater stars, illustrated Mutt and Jeff phrases, American flags, an Aircraft Spotter Series in the 1940s ("Learn to know friend from foe"), and many baseball series over the years. The tobacco company also used promotional buttons series like this to promote their cigarettes. This item was part of the Sweet Caporal's Actresses Series.

Black illustration of the Coneheads on white background.

The Conehead family, from the recurring sketch series on Saturday Night Live, are a husband, wife and daughter played by Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman respectively. The Coneheads are originally from the planet of Remulak and are stranded on Earth, but always say they are from France.

A live-action film was released in 1993 based on the sketch starring the same actors from Saturday Night Live with the exception of Laraine Newman who was replaced by Michelle Burke. Coneheads was the third movie to be adapted from an SNL sketch, following the successful releases of Blues Brothers and Wayne's World. Unlike its predecessors, Coneheads was critically panned and was considered a flop; however, since its release, the movie has enjoyed a second life as a cult classic.

A color illustration of Tommy Chong's head looking "stoned" and wearing a headband.

Tommy Chong is part of the popular comic duo Cheech & Chong. They found a large audience in the 1970s and 1980s with their love of hippie and drug culture ideals. They released many popular albums, including Big Bambu, Up in Smoke, and Greatest Hit. Popular movies include Up in Smoke, Cheech & Chong's Next Movie, and Nice Dreams. Chong, also, appeared in the hit sitcom That '70s Show as Leo, the owner of the Foto Hut.

Dark blue background with gold printed text.

CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) was founded in 1928 by William S. Paley. It began as a radio broadcaster that transitioned into television and is now the second largest broadcaster in the world behind the BBC.

White and pink text on black background.

Beverly Hills Cop is a 1984 American comedy and action film directed by Martin Brest and starring Eddie Murphy, Lisa Eilbacher, John Ashton, Judge Reinhold, and Ronny Cox. Murphy stars as Axel Foley, a street-smart Detroit cop who heads to Beverly Hills, California to solve the murder of his best friend. The memorable soundtrack includes "Axel F" by Harold Faltermeyer.

Black and grey scale detailed illustration of Jim Key with handler, Doc Key and a cash register.

The Beautiful Jim Key was a traveling act. He was owned and trained by Dr. William Key, a slave-born self trained veterinarian. The horse was credited with abilities to read, write, spell, do math, tell time, sort mail, use a cash register and a telephone, recite Bible passages and engage in political debate. He was known as "The Marvel Of The Twentieth Century" and "The Greatest Crowd Drawer In America." 

Jim Key was so popular that he still has fans today.

Black Batman logo against a white background.

Batman is a comic book superhero who is featured in television shows, cartoons, and feature films. He first appeared in a DC Comics series in 1939, and has since had a continuous presence in American pop culture. Batman is the secret identity of millionaire Bruce Wayne, who does not have superpowers, but makes use of intellect, wealth, and a stash of technological gizmos to fight villains like Catwoman, the Penguin, and the Joker, in his home of Gotham City.

Illustration of a flapper face with heart-shaped lips looking to her left.

Garter buttons like this one became very popular in the 1920s as attitudes loosened in a post World War I America. The flapper craze saw women rolling down their stockings, a trademark fashion, and adding in a colorful garter with a fun button. These buttons often had a cartoon face like Betty Boop printed with a ribbon hanging off that read either “You’d be Surprised” or “Did You Get Yours?”

Learn more about the History of Flapper Buttons on the Busy Beaver blog.