Food - Retroland

Crystal Pepsi

Competition has always been the name of the game in the cola beverage industry, with the two giants, Coke and Pepsi consistently trying to capture more of the other's market with new and innovative soft drinks. It's a risky endeavor to be sure, a primary example being the highly-touted New Coke, which fizzled quickly and became an embarrassment for the company. And on the other side of the aisle, the competition will always be remembered for the grandiose introduction, yet short history, of Crystal Pepsi.

Freshen Up

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Let’s face it, there have been few technological advancements in chewing gum since it first became popular. Sure, new flavors have been introduced, formulas have been perfected to produce better bubbles, and various shapes have come and gone over the years. But 1975 marked a new era with the introduction of squirting gum. The first company to go down this path was Adams, with their spearmint-flavored Freshen-up gum.

Astro Pop

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The Space Age was in full swing after World War II. Swift technological progress and widespread economic growth gave birth to a culture in love with rockets, space stations, and dreams of life on the moon. Every kid wanted to be an astronaut, and every week, a new toy or TV show was there to feed that dream. Spangler Candy of Bryan, Ohio, (founded in 1906) met this demand with the snazzy, rocket-shaped Astro Pop. This lollipop, a thin inverted cone of hard candy on stick, suggested a three-stage rocket: a red cherry-flavored lower section, a dark green lime middle, and a long yellow tip of lemon.

Extinct Fast Foods

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There is some apparent law in the universe that states that, if you grow attached to a quirky fast food item, it will someday just disappear without warning, without fanfare of any sort. Just gone. You unexpectedly pull into the drive-thru and your eyes scan the menu, from top to bottom, frantically searching for that one item that got you out of the house in the first place. Thinking there must be some mistake, you make inquiries with the helpful voice from the speaker, only to hear those maddening words – “nah, we don’t make those anymore.” Thoroughly dejected, often in state of shock, you order some crap sandwich in its place and curse the higher-ups for taking away something dear to your heart, or at least your stomach. Yes, today we are talking about extinct fast food items.

Hydrox

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The cookie world, as you might imagine, is just a tad competitive, and when it comes to two chocolate wafers embracing a layer of sweet vanilla crème, there has always been a heavyweight and an underdog. We know you are aware of the former, but for the uninitiated, we would like to talk about the latter, and thy name is Hydrox. While their demise can be directly linked to their Nabisco counterpart, they are the cookie of choice of millions of people who, in 2008, demanded their cookie back. Let’s see what all the fuss was about.

Snack Pack

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If you ever sliced open your tongue while desperately trying to lick the last remaining morsels of pudding from a pull-top lid, it is safe to say that you might remember a childhood delight of the 70s and beyond called Snack Pack. Introduced in 1969, they remain a staple of lunchboxes (or brown bags, if you prefer) to this day.

Marathon Bar

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Back in the 70s, there was a true giant in the confectionery world. Sporting a bright red wrapper and containing a full 8” of chocolate and caramel goodness, the Marathon Bar couldn’t help but catch your eye in the candy aisle. And if you were a kid trying to get the most from your measly allowance, this was a surefire way to get some bang from your candy buck. Let’s take a look back.

The Keebler Elves

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With a taste so uncommonly good, it’s hard to believe that their delicious treats came from a hollowed-out tree. But not just any old tree - this one contained magical ovens, each one manned by the diminutive bakers known fondly to us as the Keebler Elves. And throughout their long history, they have continued to tantalize all who come within sight or smell of their irresistible specialty – cookies! Join us as we remember this trio of tree-dwelling mascots from yesteryear.

Fruit Pie The Magician

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Some illusionists have a penchant for pulling rabbits from a hat; others seem to enjoy sawing lovely ladies in two. But this guy had his own tasty tricks up his sleeve. He was the Houdini of all things Hostess and his name was Fruit Pie the Magician. And for over 30 years, his face graced each and every wrapper of Hostess Fruit Pies.

Necco Wafers

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There are a number of candies that just seem like they have always been here. And that's because their invention far exceeds any of our lifespans. And if you ever wanted to know what the oldest continually-produced candy in America is, look no further than those powdery quarter-shaped wafers, known the world over as Necco.