Description: Dr. Emmett Lathrop "Doc" Brown is a resident of Hill Valley, California, most notably noted for building a working time machine and becoming the world's third time traveler (after Einstein and Marty). Founded in 1982 as ELB Enterprises, Dr. E. Brown Enterprises was Doc's company tagline was '24-hour scientific services.' In the future of 2015, we see his company tagline has changed to 'all science, all the time,' so we know he's still in business and helping Hill Valley residents will all their scientific needs and all hours of the day.
Description: The Lorillard tobacco company launched its youth smoking prevention campaign, “Tobacco is whacko if you're a teen," in 1999, with advertising in teen magazines and on cable television. Like with most anti-anything campaigns, teens found the campaign to be laughable and were roundly mocked for their absurdity. Such advertisements were not unique to US television, as similar youth smoking prevention campaigns ran in Asia, Australia, Europe, and Latin America.
Description: Pole Position is a 1982 arcade racing game developed Namco that is considered one of the most important titles from the golden age of arcade games. It was an evolution of Namco's earlier electro-mechanical racing games, like F-1 (1976), whose designer Sho Osugi worked on Pole Position. Gameplay has the player assume the role of a Formula One race car driver competing at the Fuji Speedway, with the first objective completing a one-lap time trial within the time limit to qualify for the race. Successful qualification sets the player's starting position among seven computer-controlled cars, based on the lap time. The actual race consists of a set number of laps, with a set amount of time given at the start and more granted after each lap.
Description: Lawson’s Dairy Stores began in 1939 when J.J. Lawson opened a retail counter at his Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio milk company to sell milk by the gallon. Since most milk came in quart bottles, his wider-mouthed jug with a wire handle let customers carry one bottle instead of four, saving money and driving sales. Lawson soon opened his first store, offering his dairy products along with a range of food and staples—an early version of today’s convenience store. Within a year, he had ten locations; by 1943, twice that. By 1959, the chain had grown to over 700 stores when Consolidated Foods bought it. The stores kept the Lawson’s name until a rebrand in the mid-1980s changed it to Dairy Mart.
Description: Rickety Rocket is an animated television series which ran from 1979 to 1980 and is considered progressive for the time, as it was one of the first cartoon shows with all African American lead characters. The show takes place sometime in the 25th century and focuses on teenagers Cosmo, Venus, Splashdown and Sunstroke, founders of the Far-Out Detective Agency. One day, they were in their headquarters trying to build something useful out of a pile of junk they presumably gathered from a junkyard and ended up building a makeshift sentient talking space car. Naming him Rickety Rocket, he quickly becomes a member of the team, and helped them solve mysteries that usually has them fighting suspects operating as master criminals.
Description: In 1970, Barret Eugene Hansen created the Dr. Demento persona and show at KPPC-FM in Pasadena, California, playing novelty songs and unusual recordings, which was the beginning of his long-running career in comedy music broadcasting. The name "Dr. Demento" was inspired by a fellow DJ's comment after Hansen played a Nervous Norvus song, saying that Hansen must be "demented" to play such a terrible track, and the name stuck. What started as a rock oldies show evolved into an all-novelty music format due to positive listener response. 1970 through 1973 marked the pre-syndication era of the show, before its national reach began in 1974.
Description: The Rocky Flats Nuclear Facility was a Cold War era manufacturing complex just outside of Denver, Colorado, that was operated by Rockwell International between 1952 and 1993. The facility produced plutonium triggers and other components for nuclear weapons, which were shipped to other facilities for assembly into completed nuclear weapons. Insider tips led to Rocky Flats being raided by the FBI and EPA in 1989 who found PCBs, chromic acid, beryllium, and radionuclide emissions had been released into the environment. The facility went into wind down mode before closing in 1993, eventually becoming an EPA Superfund Site where billions of dollars went into the deconstruction and remediation of the landscape, which was completed in 2006.
Description: The pig, also called swine or hog, is an omnivorous, domesticated, even-toed, hoofed mammal. It is named the domestic pig when distinguishing it from other members of the genus Sus. Despite their reputation, pigs are actually not dirty animals, and are actually quite clean. The pig’s reputation as a filthy animal comes from its habit of rolling in mud to cool off. Pigs that live in cool, covered environments typically stay very clean. Pigs can be intelligent and affectionate pets but require specific care, including ample space, mental and physical stimulation, and a proper diet. Anyone who lives with or keeps pigs will happily tell you how wonderful and beautiful they are.
Description: Zoth Ommog Records was a German record label that was heavily focused on electronic and industrial music under parent label, Music Research. The company was established by German producer Andreas Tomalla in 1989 and later handed over to producer Torben Schmidt. The label released over 240 records between 1989 and 1999 across an eclectic artist roster.
Description: Organized by the Daytona Beach Track Club, the Paul Debruyn 30K Road Race was an annual running event held in Ormond Beach, Florida that started in 1982. Named after Florida resident and multiple marathon winner, Paul DeBruyn, the 18.6-mile race followed a road along the landward side of a barrier island, thru oak canopies and past tidal marshes. The scenic route was flat and fast, with the final mile of the race following a sand road through a forest that finished at the ruins of a 19th Century sugar plantation.
Description: Russell Sipe realized in 1979 that no magazine focused on computer games, so despite having no publishing experience, he founded Golden Empire Publications and gathered investors. He launched Computer Gaming World (CGW) in November 1981, aiming to both review games and deliver news about new releases. The magazine grew quickly, and this design is based on its 1982 one-year anniversary cover, with a familiar arcade icon chasing a piece of birthday cake. CGW survived the 1983 crash, and expanded through the ’90s - reaching 500-page issues by 1997 - and continued into the 2000s before ending in 2006 as online news overtook print.
Description: Friedel Münch began his career as a mechanic and engine tuner in the late 1940s, finding great success with his home-tuned racers in his home in workshop in Nieder-Florstadt, Friedberg, West Germany. Münch was given a commission in 1966 to build a special for Jean Murit, a famous French sidecar road-racer, which marks the founding of Münch as a manufacturing company. Murit's custom bike the prototype for the Mammut, Münch's four-cylinder motorcycle using an NSU automobile engine. These road racing machines were hand-built to order, making the Münch Mammut the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive bike of its time and with only around 500 units built between 1966 and 1975, the Mammut remains an extremely rare motorcycle to this day.
Description: Located in Detroit's Cass Corridor Neighborhood, The Gold Dollar Show Club first opened in the 1930s as a bar with live entertainment. From the mid '50s to the late '80s, it was a popular drag show attraction, but in 1996, new ownership took the space over. Dropping 'show club' from the name, and simply operating as The Gold Dollar, the bar began booking bands and quickly became a rite of passage for every aspiring band that came through Detroit. Despite the countless acts and legendary shows that were hosted there, the bar closed its doors for good in 2001. The space sat vacant for years until it burned down in 2019.
Description: Detroit is known as 'Motor City' for a reason - it became the epicenter of the American automotive industry in the early 1900s, with the "Big Three" automakers all based there. And while Southern California is most associated with '60s hot rods and kustom culture, Detroit had its own burgeoning scene. With this came places like Digger's Speed Shop selling go fast goodies to support aspiring hot rodders and drag racers in making their rides look cooler and go faster.
Description: Mayday 1971 was the largest civil disobedience action in American history, and yet, it has slipped into historical obscurity. In early May, upwards of 25k young people set out to do something extraordinary: shut down the government through nonviolent action. They called themselves the Mayday Tribe, and their slogan was succinct: "If the government won't stop the war, we'll stop the government." The goal was to snarl traffic so completely that government employees could not get to their jobs. Opinions vary as to whether the action was successful, but one thing was clear - the people were willing to fight for peace. This whimsical design from the early '70s carries that message forward as we see a lone soul doing his part to spread love.
Description: Token Entry was a hardcore/skate-punk band formed in Queens, New York in 1980, when they were known as Gilligan's Revenge. They adopted the name Token Entry in 1984 and released an EP the following year. Their first LP, From Beneath The Streets, dropped in 1987, and was followed up with their second LP, Jaybird, in 1988. Released on the short-lived Hawker Records label, Jaybird's sound fell somewhere between NYHC fare and a more traditional skatepunk and quickly became a fan favorite.
Description: Originally published as 'An I Can Read Book' in 1958, Danny and the Dinosaur is a classic children's tale that has stood the test of time. Focusing on young Danny, who loves dinosaurs, when he sees one at the museum and says, "It would be nice to play with a dinosaur," a voice answers, "And I think it would be nice to play with you." So begins Danny and the dinosaur's adventure together! But a dinosaur is no ordinary friend, making every activity into something extraordinary, like finding a big-enough spot to hide in a game of hide-and-seek, and keeping him from knocking over houses with his long tail. Thankfully, Danny can teach an old dinosaur new tricks, making for the most fun this dinosaur has had in a hundred million years!
Description: The Damage Done is the first single from The Sisters of Mercy, released in November 1980. The title track occupied the A side and the was backed with Watch and Home Of The Hit-Men on the B side, and with just 1,000 copies pressed, the single is extremely hard to find and, due to poor audio quality, even harder to listen to. It’s harsh, noisy post punk, but with that rigid drum machine backbone that was proof of things to come. Audio quality notwithstanding, the limited quantity makes it a highly desirable collector's piece and certainly played a key part in TSOM history.
Description: Released in 1984, the Hornet, is a legendary 2WD off-road buggy credited with sparking a global RC buggy boom. Known for its durable ABS bathtub chassis, sealed gearbox, and easy assembly, it was a popular choice for both beginners and experienced hobbyists. Like it's lower powered sibling, the Grasshopper, the Hornet's straight forward design, extreme durability and high performance made it a backyard basher and racer that provided countless hours of fun. Its enduring appeal has led to numerous re-releases and special editions, solidifying its status as a collector's item and childhood icon in the world of radio-controlled hobbies.
Description: Saturn 3 is a 1980 British science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Donen and shot at Shepperton, Surrey, England. The film is a gothic sci-fi thriller set on Tethys, the third moon of Saturn, telling the story told of two food research scientists, whose idyllic lives are thrown into disarray with the arrival of a psychopath and his eight-foot robot sent to help them. Despite the high pedigree of the cast and some seriously impressive set design, Saturn 3 was a box office bomb and earned largely negative reviews.
Description: Sleepy the Bear originated with the very first Travel Lodge location in San Diego, California back in the early 1954. The friendly but tired mascot welcomed guests at every location through signs and messaging at the properties. Sleepy also appeared in printed ads, brochures, postcards and matchbook covers, but on motel signage and items as well. The Sleepy Bear Club was created just for kids, and gave them membership just for checking in with their parents. Originally, kids received a sticker, a button, and a stuffed bear along with a certificate of membership, though they eventually dumped the stuffed animal in the interest of costs.
Description: Donna Hubbell opened the Slot Shop in Elyria, Ohio in 1964 with her husband, Paul, as a hobby shop specializing in slot car racing. The original store was located on Winkles Street, but before too long they moved to their longtime location on Cleveland Street, which featured an eight-lane, 100-foot long slot car racing track where customers could buy time to run their cars and many events were held. While primarily dedicated to slots, The Slot Shop also stocked a wide array of craft and hobby supplies that attracted locals and out-of-towners alike. The family-run business was sold in 2001 and closed just five years later in 2006 after an amazing 42-year run.
Description: Diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1989, Wesley Willis was an American musician from Chicago who was an underground singer-songwriter in the outsider tradition with his first release in 1994. Willis' songs are typically partially spoken in an MC style, and partially sung in a nasal and out-of-tune manner reminiscent of punk vocals. Much of his work was written on the bus while riding around Chicago, and just about every song ended with him saying the phrase "rock over London, rock on Chicago," followed by a random corporate tagline. In addition to a large body of solo work covering more than 50 releases, Willis fronted his own band, the Wesley Willis Fiasco, during the '90s, which helped him gain a large cult following.
Description: The 1988 summit in Moscow was the fourth, and final, summit meeting between U.S. President, Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary, Mikhail Gorbachev. The principal issues addressed during the summit included human rights and arms control. This event was the first time that President Reagan visited the Soviet Union and thus took time to explore Moscow by visiting a monastery, Red Square, Arbat Street, and students at Moscow State University. The summit would be considered a success after its close, as the INF Treaty was ratified and further progress in the area of human rights in Soviet Union had been made, which ultimately contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Description: Vantasy Customs was founded in 1974 in Los Angeles, California. While many shops limited themselves to bolt on after market accessories, Vantasy Customs went all in with manufacturing their own custom parts and running their own body shop, all in house to ensure every customer's ride achieved their desired vision. From mild to wild, Vantasy Customs made it happen, turning out some of the most unique vans of the '70s and '80s.
Description: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces the high associated with marijuana, acting on cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Psychological effects of THC include euphoria, relaxation, altered time perception, increased enjoyment of food, impaired short-term memory, anxiety, and sometimes, paranoia. We're unsure what kind of high this guy is having, but we're going to go ahead and assume it's a good one, as he looks to be pretty chill.
Description: Founded in 1838, Derry, Maine is a fictional town in the equally fictional Derry County, a setting found in a multiverse of novels, movies, and stories. Derry is based on the real life city of Bangor, and while the town's exact location differs slightly from story to story, it's always in the Bangor vicinity, with several real neighboring cities making appearances. Just like with the real town, Derry has its own giant Paul Bunyan statue and claims to be the lumberjack folk hero's birthplace.
Description: Founded in New York City in 1981, Profile Records was one of the earliest hip-hop labels that started from nothing and grew to be one of the most influential labels in the genre. Over the years, Profile acquired many smaller labels, absorbing their artist rosters and catalogs, eventually giving them 50 or so signed artists. After a fierce bidding war in the late '90s, the label was sold, but was eventually shut down by its new parent and its artists migrated to the parent label. Between 1981 and 2000, the label put out around 1,800 releases, including many non hip-hop titles, making them one of the more prolific record labels. This design is a version of the Profile logo that was recolored with Rastafarian colors.
Description: The 1964 East African Safari Rally was a grueling, 3,188-mile race across Kenya, Tanganyika, and Uganda, notable for the first American teams competing in six Mercury Comet Caliente cars. The rally tested car and driver endurance on rough terrain with potential for wild animal encounters, including the event's mascot, the cheetah. While European cars may have won the overall event, the small block powered Comets achieved multiple class victories and finished the race, proving the mettle of American cars in grueling, extreme conditions.
Description: Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (VF-213), also known as the Fighting Blacklions, is a renowned U.S.N. fighter squadron. Established in 1955, the squadron operated a variety of aircraft over its history, beginning with the F2H Banshee. Subsequent aircraft included the F-4 Phantom II and the F-14 Tomcat, which they flew until their transition over to the F/A-18F Super Hornet before being re-designated Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-213. This fictionalized version of the VF-213 is prominently featured in a 1986 movie Top Gun, and uses the insignia design of VFA-25, a squadron which never flew the F-14 in real life.
Description: The 1957 Bel Air is an American icon and one of the most recognizable automobiles ever produced. The Bel Air was the top-of-the-line trim and the most sought-after version of the Tri-Fives produced between 1955 and 1957. With distinctive two-tone interiors, gold-anodized emblems, full-disc wheel covers, and the famous side-sweep trim, this model is unmistakable. This '90s style design includes a resto mod street racer version of the classic '57 that sits nice and low with a supercharged V8 sticking though the hood.
Description: Kasper's Hot Dogs was founded in Oakland, California, in 1930 by Kasper Koojoolian, an Armenian street vendor from Chicago. From a single hot dog stand to a handful of brick and mortar locations, Kasper's grew to become a beloved Bay Area institution known for its all-beef hot dogs. Kasper's was a significant part of Oakland's cultural landscape, serving as a community anchor for decades until the final location closed in 2025.
Description: Night of the Demons is an American supernatural horror film released in 1988. The plot follows a group of high school students who throw a party inside an isolated funeral parlor on Halloween night. While attempting a séance, they accidentally release a demon locked in the crematorium that begins to possess them one by one. Filmed in Los Angeles in 1987, Night of the Demons premiered in Detroit in September 1988, grossing $3.1 million at the box office, and while it received a mixed critical response, the film would later become a cult classic in the years since its release. The film was followed by two sequels, as well as a 2009 remake of the same name.
Description: Chōjin Barom-1 (超人バロム・1, Chōjin Baromu Wan), or Superhuman Barom 1 is a live-action adaptation of the Japanese manga series Barom-1, produced two years after the comic was originally released. The story begins when a monster comes out from a lake and starts attacking Takeshi Kido and Kentaro Shiratori, two childhood friends. When the monster is about to kill them, a being called Kopu calls and tells them that they are the chosen ones to protect the world from the evil creature Doruge. Kopu gives Kentaro and Takeshi and the ability to transform into the powerful monster Barom-1, and now both boys must work together to destroy the monsters possessed by Doruge. The series ran from April 2, 1972 to November 26, 1972 for a total of 35 episodes.
Description: Goldie Wilson was the Mayor of the town of Hill Valley in 1985 and had held the position since 1977. His 1985 re-election campaign ads promised more jobs, better education, bigger civic improvements, and lower taxes. His campaign slogan was simply "Honesty / Decency / Integrity." Goldie was actually the mayor's nickname, as he had a prominent gold tooth. Back in 1955, Goldie was a young busboy working at Lou's Cafe when he told a customer, "you wait and see, Mr. Carruthers. I will be mayor; I'll be the most powerful man in Hill Valley, and I'm gonna clean up this town!"
