Back in the Day

Yes, before instant publishing and home computers, before cable TV and video recording, there was a world where you had to actually be home to watch a TV show when it aired.

On the plus side, back then there were also about 8 minutes more TV show and 8 minutes less commercials/station IDs.

And if a TV show became popular, based either on ratings or on fan mail, then a little cottage industry might spring up, put together by a star's studio, agent, or even fan club. These folks would handle mailing out autographed photos, etc.

And if a show became REALLY popular, there might be some money to be made by selling film off the editing-room floor, or extra uniform patches, or ... well, look at the pix.

This Lincoln Enterprises catalog came along after STAR TREK's cancelation. Inside all scripts are offered, up to the end, for $5.50 each. Anyway, have a look at another piece of fandom from the past.

Notice how the text is mimeographed typwriterese? And how the art was just scotch-taped on? This is how it was done in the age when men were men, and women were babes.

You also might notice that the "logo" on the front page (center panel of first image) was actually scissored out from the STAR TREK letterhead and taped onto the catalog page. You can see the original color letterhead below.

Back when sci-fi was a dirty word and STAR TREK had about the status of the Followers of the Sun in "Bread and Circuses," this is how the word got around.

Wanna Be a Member?

That title is taken from the great Betty Boop cartoon, "Bimbo's Initiation." But we're not here to talk about sweet Betty, are we?

Nope, it's time for another Super-Button! It's got an early rendition of ol' Supes by Wayne Boring, from before Wayne went off on his own barrel-chested, "The Chin"-style tangent.

Here's the teeny-tiny writing around the back edge of the button:

BUTTON WORLD MFG. INC. B'KLYN 36 NY OFFICIAL LICENSE COPYRIGHT NATIONAL PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS 1966.
Hey Kids! print it on a sticker and wear your own button! Show how proud you are to be an Official Member Superman Club! (that's what the button says, anyway)

Star Trekkin'

Back when there was only ONE "Star Trek" (was there ever another one?), you could buy this nifty letterhead paper & envelope. I trimmed the scan -- the envelope is really a standard #10 size.

Who Remembers Shrinky Dinks?

For all of the silly-minded out there (like me), NO! "Shrinky Dinks" are NOT what the male members of the Polar Bear Club have 30 seconds after jumping into subfreezing water.

No, Shrinky Dinks were an emotionally charged, high-action, highly involving toy! Y'see, you took these pieces of special paper, colored them, then put them into a hot over, and ...

...they got smaller. Wow, huh. Check out the box. "Provides hours of fun," it says so!

And they say kids never had fun in the old days!

More Fun Food in OKC

Here are a couple of more relics from the distant past when eating places were fun, but did not cost the equivalent of a car downpayment (are you listening, Outback and Hideaway?)

JB Nimble's was the ice cream parlor who offered the Kitchen Sink award featured a couple of days back.


Fred Gang's Meat Market is only a dim memory now, but it really existed -- I stole a couple of napkins!

A Couple More Buttons

In 1956, Republicans wore this button, "I Like Ike and Dick." Note that the back of the button has some kind of union logo.

Could IPEW stand for International Petroleum and Electronics Workers?
Back when you got premiums with cereal, you couldn't beat a Superman pin! found only in Kellogg's "PEP" cereal, a name that has gone away into the sunset, like "Sugar" Frosted Flakes and "Sugar" Smacks.