1

Batman and Robin

Image: Yulia Matvienko

The Dark Knight and his trusty sidekick first teamed up in 1940, becoming the ultimate superhero duo. Fighting crime in Gotham City, they set the gold standard for the hero-and-sidekick formula. Generations grew up watching their adventures unfold in comics, on TV, and in movies, making them one of the most recognizable pairs of all time.

2

Simon and Garfunkel

Image: Unseen Histories

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel sang their way into history with songs that helped define the 1960s. Hits like Bridge Over Troubled Water and Mrs. Robinson carried both energy and tenderness, and became the soundtrack of many lives. Even though the duo eventually split, their music remains timeless.

3

Abbott and Costello

Image: Tim Mossholder

This comedy team made America laugh during the Great Depression and World War II. Their "Who’s on First?" routine is still quoted today, proving just how sharp their timing was. They thrived on radio, film, and TV, proof that good comedy can cross every medium and keep audiences smiling for years.

4

Sonny and Cher

Image: De an Sun

This singing couple burst onto the scene in the 1960s with "I Got You Babe." Their playful banter and variety show made them a TV sensation. Even after their marriage ended, they both continued to make their mark, showing us they could share the spotlight and remain pop culture icons either way.

5

Tom and Jerry

Image: Melike İlayda Baksı

This cat-and-mouse pair gave us some of the funniest animated chases ever created. Tom and Jerry first appeared in 1940, and they proved they never needed words to entertain. Their comedy has crossed generations; kids and adults alike still chuckle at their endless games.

6

Joey and Chandler

Image: Ilse Orsel

In Friends , Joey Tribbiani and Chandler Bing gave us one of TV’s most memorable bromances. Between foosball games, recliner time, and their shared apartment antics, they showed the ups and downs of friendship in a way that felt real. Through every argument and every laugh, they stayed best buds.

7

Scooby-Doo and Shaggy

Image: Nik

Since 1969, Scooby and Shaggy have been the lovable cowards of the Mystery Inc. gang. Their appetite for giant sandwiches and their knack for stumbling into spooky situations made them favorites for kids and adults alike. They may not be the sharpest detectives, but their friendship is as loyal as it gets.

8

Bonnie and Clyde

Image: Kishore Chandra

During the Depression, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow became notorious across America. Young and reckless, they were constantly on the run, both criminals and folk legends in the public imagination. Their violent story ended in 1934, but books and movies have kept their names alive in popular memory.

9

Lucy and Ricky Ricardo

Image: Bruna Araujo

In I Love Lucy , Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz broke new ground as a real-life couple playing husband and wife on TV. Lucy’s wild schemes paired with Ricky’s charm created episodes that redefined the sitcom format. Their chemistry made them unforgettable, and their show remains a staple of classic television.

10

Penn and Teller

Image: Call Me Fred

This magic duo mixes illusions with comedy, giving audiences both awe and laughter. With a long-running Las Vegas residency and countless TV appearances, they’re proof that a partnership can stay fresh and surprising for decades.

1

Calling on the go

Image: Peter Conrad

Remember scrambling for a few coins just to make a call? Payphones were once the only option when we were out and about. Stepping into that narrow booth, shutting the door behind you, and enjoying a moment of privacy in the middle of a busy street—there was something almost comforting about it. It was like entering your own little world, at least for a couple of minutes. These days, all we need is a quick tap on our smartphones, and we're instantly connected, texting or calling without a second thought. It’s hard to imagine how reliant we once were on those old, clunky machines.

2

Renting movies

Image: Lucas Pezeta

The thrill of stepping into a bustling video store was unlike anything today’s streaming services can replicate. You’d wander down aisles packed with vividly colored VHS tapes , each promising a new adventure. Flipping over the box to study the cover art, reading the credits on the back, and debating with a friend about which one to choose was a delightful experience. Even the faint scent of plastic immediately meant you were in for a treat! That simple ritual of holding a tape in your hands created a sense of anticipation and excitement that no algorithm could ever replace.

3

Inflight smoking

Image: Willem van de Poll, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

In the past, flying meant more than just traveling from one city to another—it also came with the freedom of lighting up a cigarette at 30,000 feet. Airplanes had designated smoking sections where passengers could relax, chat, and enjoy a puff as the clouds drifted past the windows. It wasn’t limited to a cramped bathroom stall; entire rows of seats were reserved for smokers, allowing a haze of cigarette smoke to linger in the cabin. Today, someone flicking a lighter mid-flight feels downright impossible, but back then, it was a part of air travel, blending seamlessly into the normal routines of passengers and crew alike.

4

Watching TV shows at specific times

Image: Bruna Araujo

Back in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, the television set was the heart of the home. Evenings were carefully planned around the networks’ schedules, with everyone rushing to grab a spot on the couch to catch their favorite shows. There were no streaming platforms, DVRs, or on-demand options—if you missed an episode of M A S H or Dallas , you had to wait for a rerun . The ritual of sitting together, passing the popcorn, and reacting in unison to every twist and punchline created shared experiences that shaped conversations at school, at work, and across society.

5

Recording songs off the radio

Image: Jon Tyson

Before iPods and Spotify playlists, listening to music was a hands-on, almost ritualistic experience. If you wanted to capture that perfect song, you had to park yourself next to the radio, finger poised over the record button, ears straining to catch the opening notes before the DJ’s voice intruded. Each recording you made became a personal treasure, a handcrafted collection of melodies carefully curated to match your mood or even remind you of your secret crush. These homemade mixtapes weren’t just recordings; they were little time capsules, unique expressions of your feelings, created with patience, care, and a touch of magic that no digital playlist could ever fully imitate.

6

Hitting up the arcade

Image: Roger Ce

During the 1980s, video arcades were the ultimate playground . Stepping inside those dark rooms meant entering a world of blinking lights, beeping machines, and the unmistakable clatter of buttons being mashed in furious competition. Dropping a token into a machine carried such a thrill! The energy—the smell of popcorn and soda, the laughter echoing across the room— created an immersive social experience. Modern home consoles and online gaming may be more convenient, but they rarely capture that electric, face-to-face camaraderie and the pure sensory joy of an arcade packed with neon lights and catchy sound effects.

7

Navigating paper maps

Image: Hendrik Morkel

Before the age of GPS and smartphones, road trips relied on good old-fashioned physical maps. Those oversized sheets of paper stretched across car seats and dashboards, as everyone tried to find the best route. Planning a trip meant carefully studying every road, estimating distances, and hoping you didn’t make a wrong turn. And when you inevitably did? You’d pull over, wave down a stranger, and ask for directions—sometimes discovering hidden diners, quirky roadside attractions, or scenic shortcuts along the way. Getting lost wasn’t just a misfortune; it was part of the adventure, turning every detour into a memorable story, something today’s satellite navigation could never give you.

8

Reading newspapers

Image: Claudio Schwarz

Settling into your favorite chair with a steaming cup of coffee and unfolding the paper was the ultimate morning ritual. It wasn’t just about catching up on the news— it was about the experience itself. Turning each page carefully, scanning headlines, lingering over the sports scores, chuckling at the comics, and sometimes discussing the day’s stories with family or neighbors made it a shared tradition. Today, with news available instantly on our phones and tablets, that slow, deliberate connection—the feeling of being present with the world as it woke up—has virtually disappeared.

9

Listening to music on a Walkman

Image: cottonbro studio

Ah, the Walkman—that small rectangular marvel encapsulating the world of music right inside your pocket. You could carry an entire collection of albums with you, from Elvis to Sinatra, and listen wherever you went. Whether strolling to school, waiting for the bus, or just wandering around the neighborhood, your personal soundtrack followed you everywhere. Popping in a cassette, pressing play, and letting the songs sweep you away, drowning out the outside world and turning every ordinary moment into a private concert, was pure magic.

10

Hanging out at the mall

Image: Jeyakumaran Mayooresan

Before the internet transformed the way we shop, malls were bustling social hubs . In the ’70s and ’80s, they weren’t just places to buy things. At shopping centers, you ate pizza and spent hours wandering around, window-shopping, or trying on clothes that were probably out of your budget. The mall was the ultimate hangout spot—whether you were meeting new people, catching up with old friends, or simply enjoying the cool air conditioning on a sweltering summer day.

1

Shopping chaos

Image: Nathan Lemon

Move over, Black Friday! It seems counterintuitive to think there’s a day that is busier than the one day devoted to buying and taking advantage of super sales, but as it turns out, the two days right before Christmas actually take the ranking as the busiest shopping days of the year.

As the holiday countdown hits single digits, shoppers everywhere rush for those last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers.

Do you know what we mean? Those few days, you can almost feel the energy buzzing at every checkout line. If you have ever been in a store on December 23rd, you know the frenzy firsthand. Now, want some pro-tip? Make a list and check it twice to avoid panic shopping! Who knew that Christmas Eve could rival Black Friday for chaotic crowds?

2

The dangers behind decorating

Image: freestocks

While holiday decorating is one of the joys of the season, it’s also a little risky business. November and December see an uptick in home accidents, with 34% of decorating injuries caused by falls. Climbing ladders to string up lights or reaching for that high branch on the tree can get tricky!

It’s a good reminder to decorate with care and maybe enlist some help for those high-up decorations. After all, the holidays are about spending time with family, not in the ER. So, keep it safe and merry as you turn your home into a winter wonderland.

3

Rudolph’s Advertising Origins

Image: Tim Gouw

Who doesn’t love Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? He is a true Christmas icon, but he wasn’t always the holiday figure we know today. In fact, he got his shiny start as an advertising gimmick for Montgomery Ward back in 1939.

The department store created the character to attract holiday shoppers and boost sales, and boy did it work! Rudolph quickly became a beloved part of Christmas lore, it captured hearts with his glowing red nose and underdog story.

It’s funny to think that one of the most famous Christmas figures was born from a marketing strategy, but if you come to think about all these traditional figures, they were all born the same way. Regardless, Rudolph lights the way for Santa every year and we simply adore it!

4

Dickens’ Speedy Classic

Image: Elin Melaas

Talk about Christmas traditions! Charles Dickens’ timeless tale, A Christmas Carol , feels like it’s been around forever, and we’ve all probably read it more than once.

Did you know it only took him six weeks to write ? That’s right, in just a month and a half, he crafted one of the most long-lasting holiday stories of all time. Published in 1843, Dickens’ story of redemption and the Christmas spirit has been adapted into countless films, plays, and musicals.

He wrote it in a hurry because he needed money. Little did he know his rush would produce a masterpiece read in every classroom and household during the holiday time and any other time of the year!

5

Seattle’s sky-high tree

Image: Annie Spratt

Talk about decking the halls! The tallest Christmas tree ever displayed in our country stood tall and proud in Seattle, Washington, and it reached a jaw-dropping 221 feet ! If you can’t figure out how tall that is, that’s about the height of a 20-story building!

It was displayed in 1950 and, tall as it was, imagine all the lights and ornaments it took to decorate that beautiful tree. It quickly became a symbol of holiday glory. While it’s not every day you see a Christmas tree as tall as a skyscraper, it’s fun to imagine what that lighting ceremony must have been like. Don’t worry, most of us are happy with our 6-footers! But this defies the belief that less is more, right? When it comes to Christmas spirit, more is more!

6

Visa goes crazy!

Image: CardMapr.nl

We’ve already established that the Christmas season is the busiest in sales. But if you think holiday shopping is busy, imagine how busy Visa credit cards are! Here’s the fact: During the Christmas season, Visa cards are used around 6,000 times per minute . That’s a whole lot of swiping (or tapping,) don’t you think?

And it’s not only to buy gifts, consider this is also a touristic time of the year so, from buying presents to booking travel, credit cards get quite the workout in December. It’s not surprising, considering how much we all spend on making the holidays special! Even if our credit cards don’t really like it.

7

Franklin Pierce’s presidential tree

Image: Annie Spratt

The White House Christmas tree is a wonderful tradition, (one of our personal favorites, at least) but do you know who was in charge of setting this precedent?

In this case, we’ve got Franklin Pierce to thank, because in 1856 he became the first US president to put up an official Christmas tree in the White House .

Of course, back then, it wasn’t the massive display we see today, but it was the beginning of a tradition that continues to this day. Every year, a whole spectacle is set around putting up the Christmas tree and is televised for everyone to enjoy. There was a first, but we haven’t seen the last of this tradition yet!

8

X marks the Christmas spot

Image: Cris DiNoto

Not a year goes by without millions of people getting a text from a loved one saying "Mery X-mas! Lots of love" This is also a common thing in sales. Now, if you’ve ever seen "X-mas" and thought it was just a shortcut for "Christmas," think again!

The "X" in X-mas actually comes from the Greek letter Chi , which is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ . So, it’s not a lazy abbreviation of a long word, it is a historical nod to the religious roots of the holiday. It’s been used for centuries, though some people still debate its use today and it is more popular among the younger generations. Do you use it?

9

Oklahoma’s late start

Image: Hayden Scott

It is hard to imagine a time when Christmas was not a thing, but there was actually a moment in history, not long ago, when this fun holiday was not legal in Oklahoma!

This state might be known for its wide-open plains, but it was the last state in the country to declare Christmas a legal holiday . That didn’t happen until 1907, long after most other states had already embraced the holiday spirit.

When we say it was not legal, we don’t mean it was forbidden to celebrate it. It means that, before then, Christmas was just another workday for many Oklahomans! But once it was official, the state caught up with the rest of the country and began celebrating the season in style. Better late than never, right?

10

Leftovers season

Image: Jed Owen

Chicken, primer ribs, cranberry sauce. It’s not Christmas without a delicious feast. Yes, Christmas dinner is delicious, but you have to be careful with those leftovers!

Did you know that over 400,000 illnesses are caused by spoiled Christmas leftovers each year? It makes sense, we cook a lot, we eat only so much, and then, between the turkey, stuffing, and pies, it’s easy to forget how long food has been sitting out. Make sure to store leftovers properly and eat them within a safe timeframe. Nobody wants their holiday cheer spoiled by an upset stomach! So, while leftovers are a gift that keeps on giving, a little caution goes a long way in keeping the festive fun intact.