1

Mr. Peanut

Image: Tom Hermans

As familiar as snacking on a handful of peanuts, Mr. Peanut is a beloved symbol for us all. Incredibly, despite being a successful and recognizable character, Mr. Peanut's design only cost $5!

That's right, Planters Company created a contest in 1916 to find the ideal mascot. And guess who won? A 14-year-old boy! Antonio Gentile received $5 in exchange for his cute peanut-bodied mascot, to which the top hat and monocle were later added. Not only is his appearance sophisticated, but his name is, too. Mr. Peanut's full name is Bartholomew Richard Fitzgerald-Smythe. Fancy, right?

2

Tony the Tiger

Image: Sten Ritterfeld

One of the most famous felines, Tony the Tiger , the mascot of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cereal , first appeared in a TV commercial in 1952, more than 70 years ago!

Despite his age, Tony still embodies the ideas of strength and energy that the brand wants to associate with its delicious cereals.

His distinctive muscular body and unique red scarf around his neck make him one of the most recognizable characters for people of all ages. He is just gr-r-reat!

3

Energizer Bunny

Image: danilo.alvesd

We've all wished we had the incredible energy of the Energizer Bunny , right?

This cute, drum-beating mascot first appeared in a TV commercial in the late 1980s. Its characteristic endless energy symbolizes the power of the brand's batteries, summed up in its classic catchphrase, "It keeps going and going and going..."

Over time, this little pink bunny with sunglasses has gained worldwide fame and has become one of the most recognizable brand mascots.

4

Mr. Clean

Image: JESHOOTS.COM

We've already seen tigers, rabbits, and even peanuts with eyes; now it's the turn of a human-shaped mascot.

Mr. Clean is the legendary mascot of the Procter & Gamble cleaning product line, famous for his look and accessories. With his white eyebrows, classic earring, bald head, and white T-shirt, the beloved Mr. Clean is impossible to miss.

Created in 1958, this mascot has changed very little since his first appearance, making him even more iconic. If you're looking for a Halloween costume, you know who to imitate this year!

5

Ronald McDonald

Image: Brett Jordan

Ronald McDonald , the clown of the most famous fast food chain, has become a global star.

Over the decades, children around the world have excitedly lined up to see him, greet him, and take pictures with Ronald in McDonald's stores.

Created in 1963, Ronald looked a bit different than he does today. Ronald's appearance has evolved, with changes to his costume and makeup, making him more vibrant and approachable. But the magic of this character is still intact.

6

Pillsbury Doughboy

Image: Pablo Lancaster Jones

If we discuss cute mascots, we can't forget the Pillsbury Doughboy . This little man made of dough has been wearing a chef's hat and a scarf since his birth in 1965 when he first appeared in a TV commercial.

While his appearance has remained the same, his name has changed a few times. Originally called "Jonathan Pillsbury," his name was changed to "Poppin' Fresh" in the 1970s, though today we all know him as Pillsbury Doughboy.

His playful personality is captured in his classic catchphrase, "Hoo-hoo!"

7

The M&M’s Spokescandies

Image: Sebastian Gómez

Who can say "no" to a handful of delicious M&M's ? Definitely not us! And as if their great taste weren’t enough, M&M's also has a series of mascots with varied personalities that know how to win us over.

The original characters emerged in the 1950s, and there were only two mascots: the Plain (milk chocolate) and the Peanut characters. This evolved over time, and more characters were added, each with different colors and qualities.

Today, some of the most recognized are Red, Yellow, and Green .

8

Martin the GEICO Gecko

Image: Tate Lohmiller

The GEICO insurance company's Gecko is definitely one of the most famous brand mascots in the country.

Born in 1999, this little Gecko first appeared in a commercial in which he talked to the viewers, trying to convince them to choose GEICO. This appearance was so successful that the friendly and witty Gecko has remained the company's mascot to this day.

One of the peculiarities of this character is his distinctive British accent, which sets him apart from other talking mascots.

9

Kool-Aid Man

Image: Roksolana Zasiadko

If you were one of the many Kool-Aid fans as a child, you probably remember the charming and unique Kool-Aid Man fondly.

With his pitcher-shaped body filled with Kool-Aid, the character first appeared on the product's packaging in 1954. It wasn't until over 20 years later that he made his first TV commercial, always smiling and uttering his traditional catchphrase, "Oh yeah!"

The now classic character became very popular and even had cameos in famous animated TV series!

10

Chester Cheetah

Image: Ryan Quintal

If you love snacks, you've probably smeared your fingers with Cheetos crumbs at some point, right? We get it; these cheesy snacks are simply irresistible.

And if you've ever tasted Cheetos, you're likely familiar with the famous Chester Cheetah . With its cool look and relaxed attitude, Chester Cheetah was created in 1986. This feline appeared in TV commercials and on Cheetos packages, always enjoying the snack and never without his trademark sunglasses.

His fame grew to the point that in the '90s, Chester starred in a couple of video games!

1

Anna Harrison

Anna Harrison was preparing for her belated move to the White House in 1841, when her plans were shattered by some devastating news.

That March, Anna, then 65, was too ill to travel from Ohio to Washington for her husband William Henry Harrison’s inauguration. She was expected to recover and join him later that spring, so her daughter-in-law, Jane Irwin Harrison, served as White House hostess in the meantime. But just one month after taking office, President Harrison died at 68 of a mysterious illness. Anna never made the journey and became the shortest-serving first lady in American history , despite never actually occupying the official role in the capital itself.

2

Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

The White House may look like a historic home, but by 1901 it was struggling to keep up with presidential life. By 1902, Theodore and Edith Roosevelt’s family had outgrown the cramped residence. Theodore Roosevelt had six children, a growing staff, and too little room for official work.

His second wife, Edith Kermit Carrow Roosevelt, helped shape the major 1902 renovation, working with architect Charles McKim to reorganize the building and its furnishings. The family quarters on the second floor were expanded, and the West Wing was built to move much of the president’s staff out of the residential floor. The project also introduced a more coordinated Colonial Revival style, replacing mismatched décor with a more unified look. Edith’s influence went beyond choosing curtains or furniture: the changes helped separate family life from government business, laying the groundwork for the White House layout people recognize today.

3

Frances Cleveland

It’s not common to see weddings inside the White House, but President Grover Cleveland made it happen in 1886.

On June 2, he married Frances Folsom in the Blue Room, making her the only first lady to marry a president inside the mansion. Their relationship attracted enormous public interest due to the difference in age: s he was 21, while Cleveland was 49. Frances also remains the youngest first lady in American history— and that’s not all. On September 9, 1893, Frances gave birth to their daughter Esther at the White House, the only child of a president ever born there. With a young family in the Executive Mansion, Frances also worked to protect her children’s privacy, including restricting access to the press to the grounds when needed.

4

Dolley Madison

In August 1814, British troops marched into Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812, and the White House was in danger. President James Madison had left the capital, but First Lady Dolley Madison stayed long enough to help arrange the removal of important belongings.

That includes a portrait of George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1797, the first artwork brought into the White House. The story has become one of the best-known episodes in first lady history, although later illustrations sometimes dramatized the rescue. The portrait was a large, framed likeness, not something she could simply tuck under her arm. Official accounts describe the frame being removed so the canvas could be carried away. British forces later set fire to the presidential mansion on August 24, 1814. The painting survived, and Dolley’s quick action helped preserve a powerful symbol of the young republic.

5

Edith Wilson

When a president becomes seriously ill, doctors and advisers step in. But after Woodrow Wilson suffered a major stroke on October 2, 1919, his wife, Edith, became the gatekeeper to the Oval Office’s most important decisions.

Edith, working alongside the president’s physician, Dr. Cary Grayson, screened documents and decided which matters were important enough to bring to her husband. She insisted that Wilson remain in office rather than resign, while limiting access to him. Critics later described her as an unelected ruler, although she maintained that she never made public-policy decisions herself.

6

Helen Taft

If you’ve ever seen photographs of Washington, D.C., covered in pink cherry blossoms, you can thank a first lady with an eye for natural beauty.

Helen Herron Taft became first lady in 1909 and supported plans to transform Potomac Park into a tree-lined promenade. She worked with writer and Japan traveler Eliza Scidmore, who had advocated for Japanese cherry trees for nearly 25 years. An initial shipment of 2,000 trees arrived in 1910, but inspectors found them so infested with insects that they were destroyed. Tokyo sent a replacement gift of 3,020 trees, and on March 27, 1912, Helen Taft and Iwa Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two beside the Tidal Basin.

7

Sarah Polk

Sarah Childress Polk was no carefree hostess; when she was first lady, there were some strict rules for guests inside the White House.

When her husband, James K. Polk, became president in 1845, she took her responsibilities seriously, paid close attention to politics, and helped manage the household with a firm hand . She was also deeply religious and opposed drinking, so alcohol was not served at White House receptions during the Polk Administration. Some accounts say disgruntled staff members nicknamed her "Sahara Sarah" because they found her rules and strict manners dry and joyless. The nickname makes for a good story, but there are no firmly documented records of this being true. Sarah’s influence wasn’t limited to social rules: she was an educated political partner who discussed public affairs with her husband and followed the news closely.

8

Abigail Adams

Long before women could vote in national elections, Abigail Adams was already pushing her husband to consider their rights.

In a letter dated March 31, 1776, while John was attending the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, she urged her husband John Adams, then helping shape the new nation’s political future, to "Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors," when establishing laws for the emerging republic. She warned against giving husbands unlimited power over their wives and argued for greater fairness. John replied playfully, but the new country’s laws did not deliver the changes Abigail wanted. When John became president in 1797, Abigail served as a trusted adviser and White House hostess. More than a presidential spouse, she was a sharp political thinker who made her views known at a time when women were largely excluded from formal power.

9

Letitia Tyler

The White House is usually associated with ceremonies, celebrations, and political history, but it has also been the scene of private grief. At the age of 51, Letitia Christian Tyler, wife of President John Tyler, became the first first lady to pass away inside the mansion due to a fatal stroke on September 10, 1842.

She had been in poor health after a first stroke that left her confined to a chair upstairs, and led a quiet life. It was her daughter-in-law, Priscilla Cooper Tyler, who took on many hostess responsibilities, welcoming guests and organizing social events. Letitia’s death left the president and their large family mourning in the very place where the country conducted its business. She was buried in Virginia, at the plantation where she had been born.

10

Martha Washington

Today, seeing a woman’s portrait on money might not seem unusual, but for much of the country’s history it was rare.

Martha Washington, the nation’s inaugural first lady, became the first and, to date, only woman whose portrait appeared on a U.S. paper currency note in her own right. Her likeness was featured on silver certificates issued in 1886, 1891, and 1896, decades after her death in 1802. The 1806 note, held in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History collection, shows her bust on the front of a one-dollar silver certificate. These notes were not the same as today’s familiar Federal Reserve bills: they represented silver held by the U.S. Treasury and could be redeemed under the rules of the time.

1

The Roaring Twenties

Image: Carrie Borden

We’ll begin with one of the first fads invented right here in America. The 1920s in America were characterized by a period of prosperity and well-being that resulted in a dynamic and distinct cultural rise in major American metropolises. There’s a reason why this period was known as "The Roaring 20s": It signified an upheaval in American music, arts, and fashion.

The 20s saw the birth of avant-garde art forms like jazz music, as well as groundbreaking novels by authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. This era is also remembered for the surge of the "Flapper" subculture: Modern, young women with a more carefree attitude toward entertainment.

2

Pin-up models

Image: Florida Memory

Who do you think about whenever you think of the word "pin-up model"? Chances are your answer is Marilyn Monroe or Betty Grable : After all, they both got their start as pin-up models, portrayed in thousands of mass-produced photographs. However, these actresses helped cement the notion of what defines a pin-up model, now considered to be an essential icon in American pop culture history.

Pin-ups defined the aesthetic of an entire period, present in everything from movies to advertisements. Not only that, pin-up models were often depicted on the side of American fighter planes during World War 2, helping raise the morale of our troops.

3

Greasers

Image: Sümeyye Candan

Although the word "greaser" definitively got its start as a derogatory term for this subculture, it ended up being the name of one of America’s most beloved periods. The 1950s are still revered as a golden age by millions of Americans, particularly because of the surge of many icons that make our country so wonderful: Things like Cadillacs, Rock N’ Roll music, and soda fountains were all born in this era.

In that sense, the "Greaser" look was heavily influenced by musicians and actors like Elvis Presley and James Dean . Greasers would showcase their fast motorcycles, stylish hairstyles, and leather jackets wherever they went. By the 1970s, this style was so well-known that it provided the basis of one of America’s favorite TV characters: Fonzie, perhaps now considered the quintessential greaser.

4

The Hippie movement

Image: Jamie Street

The Hippie movement is synonymous with 1960s America: This subculture influenced almost every art form during this period, from music to television, film, and literature. While it is nowadays mostly looked at as an aesthetic or cultural movement, the influence of hippies in American politics and society shouldn’t be overlooked.

Perhaps the biggest representatives of the hippie movement are those groundbreaking bands and musicians aligned with this movement, like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, or Jefferson Airplane. Hippies were also characterized by their groundbreaking fashion, which featured bell-bottom jeans, sunglasses, and colorful shirts.

5

Beatnik movement

Image: Pereanu Sebastian

Speaking of hippies, let’s take a little detour and focus on an American artistic movement that laid the foundation from which the hippie movement emerged. Much like with "greaser," the term "beatnik" was first coined as an insult, aimed at followers of the "Beat Generation," a literary movement that included names like Jack Kerouac or William S. Burroughs.

The beatnik subculture had a defining image, often exaggerated by detractors: Think about the caricature of a modern poet, complete with a black turtleneck, beret, and bongos, and you’ll be thinking about a stereotypical beatnik. Regardless, historians believe that the term "hippie" comes from "hipsters," which is a term first used to describe the beatnik subculture.

6

The 80s

Image: Eric Nopanen

Fashion during the 1980s can be best summed up by this phrase from Charles Dickens's "A Tale of Two Cities": "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." While it can’t be denied that this decade brought forward groundbreaking styles to music, films, and culture, it should also be noted that some of these changes were extreme, to say the least. At the end of the day, whether the 80s were good or bad will ultimately depend on who you are asking.

Personally, we would like to focus on those 80s things that we absolutely love: Things like synthesizer music, mullet hairstyles, and neon-bright clothing. This decade was also the birthplace of several subcultures, including the post-punk, preppy, and new-wave movements.

7

The 90s

Image: Panos Sakalakis

If the 70s and 80s were characterized by their loud and flamboyant styles, the 90s were defined by a more minimalist approach: Bands like Nirvana or Pearl Jam helped promote the "grunge" aesthetic, which featured simple items of clothing like jeans, flannel shirts or hoodies.

Although definitively minimalist, the 90s were also the birthplace of subcultures like the goth movement. During this era, numerous extreme sports like skateboarding gained popularity, in line with this decade’s alternative outlook on culture.

8

Disco

Image: Dustin Tramel

Ready to dance "The Hustle"? The late 60s and early 70s were determined by the emergence of one of America’s most remembered subcultures. While disco music first appeared in New York City and Philadelphia, it quickly swept over the nation: Think of a tornado filled with disco balls, roller skates, and nightclubs, and you might be able to paint a picture of how influential this subculture was.

Although disco got its start in iconic nightclubs like Studio 54, it soon expanded to other mediums like movies and television. Most notably, shows like "Soul Train" helped promote this genre’s appeal, while films like "Saturday Night Fever" cemented the ultimate aesthetic of the disco subculture.

9

Digital age

Image: Xiong Yan

We have now arrived at our modern times ! The advent of the internet represented such a groundbreaking innovation in our everyday lives that it stands to reason that the digital age also influenced many of our fads and movements. The late 2000s and early 2010s were determined by this new massive access to information, which completely changed the way we consume culture and entertainment.

In that sense, this new, instant way to share information immediately meant that culture was now not only limited to geographical locations: Your favorite band or fashion icon could easily live on the other side of the world. This cultural exchange resulted in a rich and diverse movement, which is still developing to this very day.

10

All those wonderful memories…

Image: COSMOH LOVE

We have reserved the final entry on this list for the many objects that defined each of these decades. It is sometimes easier to picture an era through a specific item: Think about the 50s and their timeless jukeboxes, or the 90s and the above-mentioned flannel shirts.

In that sense, we have selected a few of our top picks. Some, like the Hula Hoop or the Frisbee, have truly transcended time: Although they were created decades ago, they are still thoroughly enjoyed by children and adults alike. Time hasn’t been that kind with others, though, like with the now practically extinct Tamagotchi. This digital pet was all the rage during the late 90s and early 2000s, but it ultimately fell into obscurity thanks to other digital mediums.