Socks
Description: Formed in San Jose, California, in 1981, The Faction were pioneers of skate rock, blending fast, melodic punk with the rebellious energy of skate culture long before the style became mainstream. With all original band members and their subsequent replacements being accomplished skateboarders, the band is responsible for defining much of the sound heard in '80s skate videos, with tracks that captured the freedom, danger, and DIY spirit of the scene. Though their original run was short-lived, The Faction left a lasting influence on both punk music and skate culture. This design is based on the band's 'Corpse in Disguise' 7" released in 1984, before the band's first dissolution.
Description: Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget, better known as SAAB, was founded in Sweden in 1937 as an aircraft manufacturer created to strengthen the country’s national defense capabilities ahead of World War II. Originally building military aircraft for the Swedish Air Force, SAAB quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering, innovative design, and rugged reliability. After the war, the company expanded into automobile production, introducing distinctive cars that combined aircraft-inspired engineering with quirky Scandinavian styling. Models like the Saab 92, 99, and turbocharged 900 became cult favorites thanks to their safety features, front-wheel-drive layouts, and unconventional character that is still beloved by enthusiasts.
Description: Spectreman was a Japanese tokusatsu TV series that aired from 1971 to 1972, combining giant monster battles, superhero action, and surprisingly dark environmental themes. The show followed George Gamow, an alien agent from Nebula 71 who transforms into Spectreman to battle the evil simian scientist Dr. Gori and his sidekick Karas. Unlike many sci-fi hero shows of the era, Spectreman focused heavily on pollution and humanity’s destruction of nature, giving it a more serious tone beneath the monster mayhem. This Electrogorilla Go Kart design is inspired by a Japanese market wind-up toy based on the simians from Planet E, complete with a noisy mechanism kids loved and parents dreaded.
Description: There is nothing more '80s than a strangely ripped unicorn charging through a neon-soaked outrun dreamscape where you can almost hear the synthwave soundtrack. Beneath a retro-futuristic sunset, this muscular steed is the arcade era personified, blending fantasy, vaporwave, and retro sci-fi flair for anyone who is perpetually chasing those nostalgic cosmic vibes.
Description: Love fictional bands? Love fictional side projects of members of fictional bands? Boy, are you ever in luck! Planet Piss is the long-awaited side project of Dethklok bassist William Murderface, along with fellow bandmate Toki Wartooth. We only ever hear a couple of songs from this aptly named band, including the eponymous first single, but sometimes that's all you need. It's possible that Planet Piss signed with MurderTooth Records, as the label itself was started by Murderface & Toki (both of whom have co-ownership of the Planet Piss brand).
Description: Before pull tabs became standard, beer cans were opened with a pointed can opener known as a “church key.” Though the pull-tab can was invented in 1959, it didn’t become widespread until the mid-1960s, when the convenience of removable tabs also created a major litter problem. People routinely tossed the sharp metal tabs onto beaches, sidewalks, and parks, where unsuspecting barefoot victims often discovered them the hard way. In response, beverage companies launched anti-litter campaigns, embossing tabs with “Fight Litter” reminders and the familiar string-on-a-finger icon. Public service messaging spread to stores, parks, and beaches alike. By the mid-1970s, the stay-on tab largely replaced removable pull tabs, reducing the problem.
Description: Chic-n-Noodle-Do was a casual Asian restaurant located on the northern edge of San Francisco’s Chinatown during the early 2000s. Specializing in Chinese-Vietnamese cuisine, the small eatery set itself apart from neighboring spots with lighter, less greasy dishes that appealed to Bay Area tastes. Operating out of a modest storefront at 708 Vallejo Street, Chic-n-Noodle-Do became a neighborhood favorite for quick, affordable takeout, likely serving far more customers to-go than dine-in during its years in business.
Description: Link Wray, born Fred Lincoln Wray Jr. in 1929, was a pioneering guitarist and songwriter whose raw, distorted sound helped shape rock music for generations. Best known for his groundbreaking 1958 instrumental “Rumble,” Wray achieved his signature gritty tone by intentionally damaging his amplifier speakers, creating a sound far ahead of its time. Though banned by some radio stations for allegedly encouraging juvenile delinquency despite having no lyrics, “Rumble” became hugely influential on punk, metal, indie rock, and alt-country artists. In the late ’70s, Wray teamed with punk rocker Robert Gordon for a rockabilly revival that produced extensive touring and two albums.
Description: For decades, Big Fish Bar & Grill was Glendale, California's favorite dive bar, a place where beloved bartenders were slinging stiff drinks, and everyone knew your name. The bar maintained its underwhelming 1940s aesthetic by pretty much doing nothing to update or improve the place over the years, and that's exactly what people liked about it. Sadly, the sale of the bar in 2015 turned 'The Fish' on its head as new owners laid off long-time staff and began renovating it. Locals were less than impressed with the hipster gentrification makeover, and the updated version of Big Fish didn't go over very well with the regulars, but to their credit, the new owners pressed on with a new name and a new vibe that ended up being successful.
Description: The 2000 presidential campaign of George W. Bush, then-Governor of Texas, successfully resulted in his election as the 43rd President of the United States. Running alongside vice-presidential nominee Dick Cheney, Bush's campaign was defined by his platform of "compassionate conservatism." He entered the primary season as the clear Republican front-runner due to formidable fundraising capabilities and strong name recognition as the son of former President George H.W. Bush. The race between Bush and Al Gore ended in a virtual draw on election night, November 7, 2000, leaving the deciding electoral votes of Florida up for grabs. This culminated in the closest and most fiercely contested election in modern American history.
Description: Founded in 1926 in Pfäffingen, Germany, Maico began as a manufacturer of small two-stroke engines before expanding into motorcycles that would become legendary in the world of motocross and off-road racing. Short for Maisch & Co., the company earned a reputation during the 1960s and ’70s for building brutally powerful, lightweight dirt bikes with exceptional suspension and handling. Maico motocross machines, especially the fire-breathing 400cc and 490cc models, developed a cult following among racers and desert riders who appreciated their raw performance and aggressive power delivery. Despite frequent financial struggles and ownership changes, Maico’s influence on motocross culture remains enormous.
Description: When it comes to fictional video games, it's hard to beat Quest For The Space Knife. Only briefly shown in the office of the Palace Arcade, the graphics absolutely nailed '80s arcade art to the point that you want to walk around to the front of the cabinet and see what this crazy-looking sci-fi game is about.
Description: Grand Lakes University is the fictional college setting of the 1986 comedy Back to School. Presented as a prestigious but stuffy institution filled with uptight professors, entitled rich kids, and over-the-top campus traditions, Grand Lakes becomes the perfect backdrop for as loudmouthed millionaire Thornton Melon’s chaotic attempt to reconnect with his son by enrolling as a student himself. The campus is packed with classic ’80s college movie staples—wild parties, football rivalries, eccentric classmates, and absurd academic situations—all amplified by Melon’s rapid-fire one-liners and outsider attitude. Though entirely fictional, Grand Lakes University resonated with audiences as a humorous exaggeration of American college life.
Description: Founded during the postwar building boom, Scotty’s Builders Supply became a familiar name to generations of homeowners, contractors, and do-it-yourselfers across the American South and Midwest. Originally established as a small hardware and lumber operation, the chain expanded rapidly through the '60s, ’70s, and ’80s, growing into one of the largest home improvement retailers in the country before the rise of modern big-box stores. Known for its no-frills warehouse atmosphere, towering lumber stacks, and memorable television commercials, Scotty’s sold everything from power tools and plywood to garden supplies and appliances. For many people, a trip to Scotty’s was a weekend ritual, making the stores a nostalgic symbol of suburban life.
Description: Introduced in 1952, Frosted Flakes quickly became one of America’s most recognizable breakfast cereals. Originally called “Sugar Frosted Flakes,” it built on the success of Corn Flakes by adding a sweet frosting that made it a favorite with kids and families. Its popularity soared thanks to an enthusiastic tiger mascot who became a staple of American advertising. Over the decades, Frosted Flakes grew into a pop culture icon with countless commercials, spin-offs, and limited flavors. In the early ’60s, the cereal debuted in Japan as Cornfrost, later renamed the more playful Corn Frosty. This design is inspired by the bold Japanese branding of the early 1970s.
Description: Formed in 1992, Love Spit Love emerged from the ashes of the post-punk '80 with a moody, alternative rock-driven sound that fit perfectly into the early ’90s underground scene. The band blended jangly guitars, dark romanticism, and atmospheric textures into songs that felt both brooding and melodic. While they never reached massive commercial heights, Love Spit Love developed a devoted following through tracks like “Am I Wrong” and “Change in the Weather,” but reached a wider audience thanks to their haunting cover of The Smiths' “How Soon Is Now," which gained new life as the theme song for the witchy television series Charmed. Love Spit Love released their self-titled first record in 1994, one that was followed by a second album in 1997.
Description: Founded in 1963 in Nashua, New Hampshire, Grasha Motors earned a reputation as one of New England’s premier speed shops during the golden age of American racing culture. Established by Gregory Grasha, a third-generation Russian immigrant and gifted mechanic with a passion for horsepower, the garage began as a humble full-service repair shop catering to local drivers and blue-collar families. Before long, however, word spread about Grasha’s ability to coax serious power out of V8 engines. By the late 1960s, stock car racers from tracks across New Hampshire and Massachusetts, along with drag racing enthusiasts from all over the Northeast, were bringing their engines to Grasha for custom machine work, tuning, and high-performance builds.
Description: Following war-delayed construction, Detroit's Mumford High opened in September 1952; a time when large segments of the city's population had already begun an inexorable movement toward the suburban communities of Oakland County. Mumford's architectural profile featured imported powder blue limestone block and exquisite Art Deco styling similar to other Detroit high schools. The original building was demolished during the summer of 2012, as a new building was simultaneously constructed on the existing athletic fields, allowing classes to resume after summer without missing a beat. This design is based on the original Mumford physical education tees worn by students in PE class.
Description: The Greatest American Hero was a quirky superhero television series that aired for three seasons from 1981 to 1983, blending action, comedy, and sci-fi into one of the most memorable shows of the era. The series followed mild-mannered high school teacher Ralph Hinkley, who is chosen by mysterious aliens to receive a red super suit that grants incredible powers like flight, super strength, and invisibility. The problem? Ralph immediately loses the instruction manual, forcing him to awkwardly figure out how the suit works. Flying is his weakest skill, which usually means hurling out of control through the sky, often resulting in a crash landing. The show remains a beloved piece of early ’80s TV nostalgia that has true cult classic status.
Description: American Motors Corporation was a car manufacturer formed in 1954 through the merger of Nash-Kelvinator and Hudson Motors, making it one of the last major independent automakers in America. Known for doing things differently, AMC had a reputation for unconventional vehicles, and during the '60s and ’70s, it produced memorable models like the Rambler, Javelin, AMX, Gremlin, Pacer, and Eagle—the latter widely considered one of the first crossover-style passenger vehicles with four-wheel drive. Financial struggles eventually led to the company being bought out in 1987, leaving behind a legacy. This design is based on AMC's 1969 rebrand that celebrated the company's genuinely innovative nature, which allowed AMC to do more with less.
Description: Launched in 1994 by Cupertino, California-based Catapult Entertainment, XBAND was one of the first competitive online gaming networks at a time when online gaming was still a fairly new concept. XBAND was delivered as a modem that plugged into the cartridge slot of popular consoles, which in turn allowed the game cartridge to be piggybacked in its own slot, and as a plug-in PC version later. The client-side system worked by manipulating game memory similar to Game Genie and other third-party game mods of the era, while also allowing players to connect via dial-up. Gamers could play head-to-head, compete for the high score on leaderboards, and eventually, in national tournaments. Despite reasonable popularity, XBAND was shut down in 1997.
Description: Released in 1985, The Dirt Bike Kid is a family fantasy adventure film that follows a young boy who discovers a mysterious dirt bike with magical powers, capable of flying, driving itself, and helping him outsmart corrupt businessmen threatening his mother’s business. Blending BMX-era excitement, kid-friendly comedy, and light fantasy elements, the film captured the energetic spirit of '80s children’s entertainment. The Dirt Bike Kid was never a major blockbuster hit, but it did pretty good on home video, something that helped it develop a nostalgic cult following with those who grew up in the VHS era. While it may be a goofy idea for a movie, it was definitely a memorable concept, with colorful visuals, and plenty of ’80s charm.
Description: Founded in 1976, Hoagy’s Corner was a Seattle-area convenience store chain that stood apart from the typical grab-and-go minimart by putting its deli counter front and center. While most convenience stores were known for prepackaged snacks and forgettable gas station sandwiches, Hoagy’s built its reputation on fresh-made hoagies stacked high with quality meats, cheeses, and toppings on hearty rolls. Its famous “two-fisted” sandwiches developed a cult following, with longtime fans still insisting they were among the best sandwiches they've ever had. Popular menu staples like the Cheesy British and the French Dip became local legends, but in the mid-1980s, the chain was bought out and cost-cutting measures slowly stripped away the quality.
Description: Founded in Berlin in 1990, Autoteile Gräbe grew into a respected name in Germany’s independent automotive parts industry, serving mechanics, restoration enthusiasts, and everyday drivers with a broad inventory of replacement parts and accessories. Built around Germany’s deep-rooted car culture, the company developed a reputation for knowledgeable service, dependable products, and a passion for performance vehicles and motorsports. Over the years, Autoteile Gräbe expanded from a traditional local auto parts operation into a modern supplier embracing online ordering and digital catalog systems while still maintaining the enthusiast-driven spirit that defined its early years. Its bold racing-inspired branding, complete with checkered flags.
Description: An international co-production between the Philippines and the United States, Vampire Hookers is a 1978 sexploitation horror oddity directed by Cirio H. Santiago and written by Howard R. Cohen. Released under a variety of titles—including Cemetery Girls, Night of the Bloodsuckers, Sensuous Vampires, and Twice Bitten—the film dives headfirst into pure grindhouse insanity. Its story follows a vampire pimp running a brothel filled with undead prostitutes who lure unsuspecting men in for what they think is an evening of pleasure, only to discover they’ve become the main course. Shot on gritty 16mm film, Vampire Hookers embodies everything fans love about ’70s exploitation cinema: harsh lighting, awkward dubbing, and over-the-top performances.
Description: Boasting an eclectic inventory that stretched well into the hundreds of thousands, Car City Records earned a reputation as one of the Detroit Metro area’s premier used record stores. Founded in 1984 by longtime vinyl enthusiast Bob Setlik—who began dealing jazz records in the mid-1970s—the shop became legendary among collectors for its deep selection of jazz, rock, blues, and classical LPs. Car City embraced an independent spirit and never tried to chase the trends or compete with chain stores pushing the latest chart hits. Instead, it focused on what it did best: offering crate diggers and music obsessives a true vinyl-hunter’s paradise packed with rare finds, forgotten gems, and shelves upon shelves of used records.
Description: Paul Harris was a women's clothing store founded in 1952 in Indianapolis by Gerald Paul and Earl Harris, initially operating as "Packaged Apparel" to sell prepackaged clothing in supermarkets. They opened their first retail clothing store in 1954 in a strip mall in Plainfield, Indiana, eventually expanding into a national women's apparel chain that grew to 377 stores in 37 states at its peak in the late 1980s before beginning a slow downward slide before closing in 2000. The stores were known for targeting young, working women with their fashion forward designs that were offered long before other midwest retailers. This design is based on the company's 1973 rebrand featuring a colorful Saul Bass designed logo treatment.
Description: 'Orange Smile' was a popular orange-flavored soda produced by the St. Louis-based Orange Smile Syrup Company, which operated from the 1920s through the early 1960s. Often sold in distinct 6 oz embossed glass bottles patented in 1922, the brand was known for its 'orange man' mascot who wore nothing but a smile. While available nationwide, Orange Smile was most popular in the Midwest, though we're unsure if it's due to the mascot that doesn't wear pants.
Description: WPLJ 95.5 FM became one of New York City’s defining rock radio stations after adopting its famous call letters and progressive rock format in 1971. Broadcasting from Manhattan, WPLJ helped shape the sound of FM radio during the '70s by introducing listeners to album-oriented rock, deeper cuts, and emerging artists that AM stations often ignored. The station’s call letters came from “White Port and Lemon Juice,” a blues song by The Four Deuces, reflecting the era’s free-form rock spirit. Over the decades, WPLJ evolved through rock, Top 40, and hot adult contemporary formats while becoming home to legendary New York radio personalities and morning shows, remaining a major presence on the city’s air waves until its final sign-off in 2019.
Description: Super Cock (no laughing) was a brand of batteries produced by Thailand Trading Co. Ltd. in Bangkok, Thailand that featured a large rooster on the label. They originally produced batteries for automobiles and heavy equipment, but soon added non-rechargeable batteries to their production line. These disposable cells became more profitable than the heavyweight line, and Thailand Trading shifted production accordingly. Albeit somewhat humorous in modern western eyes, his design is based on wholesale advertising materials that were set in a mix of English and Thai espousing the 'premium quality' of these bottom shelf batteries.
Description: El Rancho Bowl, located in West Los Angeles, opened its doors in 1941 and quickly became a cornerstone of the local social scene. Built during the golden age of bowling, it blended classic mid-century design with the booming popularity of league play, drawing in everyone from serious competitors to casual weekend bowlers. With its lively atmosphere, glowing lanes, and distinctive signage, El Rancho Bowl wasn’t just a place to knock down pins—it was a neighborhood gathering spot where families, friends, and co-workers came together. Over the decades, it stood as a snapshot of American leisure culture, reflecting both the wartime era it was born into and the postwar boom that followed.
Description: The Los Santos Golf Club (LSGC), also known as the Los Santos Country Club, is a fictional golf course in the equally fictional Los Santos, San Andreas. The course features nine holes with a 36 regular par and a total yardage of 3,464, and players can actually play and compete against one another. Located in the upscale Richman neighborhood, LSGC is the most expensive property that any of the three characters can buy in the game and in the entire series with a price tag of $150,000,000. The LSGC is the most profitable business, generating a weekly income of $264,500, however, if purchased, the property will take 568 weeks to turn a profit over the initial investment.
Description: Hartge Motorsport was a third party car tuning company specializing in German cars. Founded in 1971 in Merzig, Germany, the company moved to larger facilities in Beckingen in 1974. Hartge followed the classic hot rod rule based on power to weight ratio and was known for putting larger, more powerful factory engines in smaller cars. In 1985, Hartge was granted manufacturer's status in Germany, at which point all vehicles built from then on received a Hartge Motorsport VIN plate in place on the factory VIN plate. Despite decades of turning out high performance vehicles, the company folded in 2019 and deleted from the commercial register in Germany. Hartge tuned vehicles remain highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts to this very day
Description: The Major Matt Mason toy line introduced in 1966 captured the excitement of the early space race with a unique, bendable astronaut figures designed for imaginative play. Unlike rigid action figures of the time, Major Matt Mason and his friends featured a rubbery body over a wire armature that allowed kids to pose him in realistic zero-gravity stances, making him perfect for space adventures. The line expanded to include a full cast of characters, space stations, and vehicles like the Space Crawler and Space Station, all inspired by Apollo-era missions. With its mix of science fiction and real-world space exploration, Major Matt Mason became one of the era’s most distinctive and memorable toy lines.
Description: “Loose lips sink ships” was a widely used American slogan during World War II, part of a broader campaign to prevent careless talk that could aid enemy intelligence. The phrase warned civilians and service members alike that even seemingly harmless conversations—about troop movements, ship departures, or military plans—could be overheard or pieced together by spies and lead to deadly consequences at sea. The slogan became one of the most memorable expressions of wartime vigilance, capturing the real risks of information leaks in an era of global conflict. This design came out of Naval Training Station Great Lakes as a way to remind new recruits not to get too 'deep' in conversation.
Description: Sponsored by local sporting goods chain, SportsWest, the Seattle Women’s 10,000 Meter Run was held at Green Lake on August 13, 1977. The 6.2 mile 10k road running event started in Green Lake Park along the lake's paved trail before climbing up along Phinney Ridge for views of the city before dropping back down through Wallingford and circling back towards Green Lake. It may be hard to believe, but in the '70s, women were still banned from most major running events, so this marked a pivotal moment in the rise of women’s distance running in the Pacific Northwest, and played an important role in expanding access, building confidence, and paving the way for greater inclusion in competitive running nationwide.
