50 Classics Over 50 That People Love Every Day
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Mr. Potato Head, 1952 — Toy Story has ensured this fave’s longevity.
Color TV, 1950 — Adopted by the three networks in 1965. Tupperware, 1946 —
Ice cooler, 1953 — A landmark moment in chilling out. Microwave, 1945 — Beeped into homes in the late 1960s; it never left. Handheld hair dryer, 1920s — The wet head — thankfully — remains dead. Lego toys, 1949 — From the Danish leg godt, which means “play well.” UPS, 1953 —
Warren Buffett, 1930 — A $10,000 investment in him in 1962 is worth $298 million today.
The pill, 1960 — There would have been no sexual revolution without it!
AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > Motown songs, 1960s — “My Girl,” “I’m Losing You” and many tunes turned out by the Temptations and other now-revered acts are Detroit’s longest-lasting vehicles. Jeopardy! 1964 — Nearly 10 million people watch every night. Star Trek, 1966 — In 2020 the Enterprise is back, on CBS’ Star Trek: Picard. Spider-Man, 1962 — Big on the Web!
Margaret Atwood, 1939 — Her first novel, The Edible Woman, 1969, presaged the Handmaid saga.
Green Eggs and Ham, 1960 —
To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960 — We still buy a million copies annually. Smiley face, 1963 — Harvey Ross Ball whipped up the first emoji. James Bond, 1962 — Sean Connery was the first 007; Daniel Craig (the sixth) returns in No Time to Die, out this April. Clint Eastwood, 1930 — Good, bad... but never really ugly, right?
Miniskirt, early 1960s — The stock market is said to rise when hemlines do.
Spandex, 1959 — Stretches more than 500%. Chuck Taylor high-tops, 1932 — Perennially cool; think James Dean, the Ramones and Madonna. Tie-dye, 1960s — These funky DIY designs never fall out of style.
Bikini, 1946 — Named after an atom bomb test site. Still detonating on beaches worldwide.
Ray-Bans, 1936 — Tom Cruise and other stars have helped bring back retro-cool Wayfarers, 1952, and Aviators, 1937.
Subway (the store), 1965 — Currently sells 5,300 subs a minute!
Frozen pizza, 1957 — In 2018, 198 million people indulged.
Big Mac, 1968 — Second in popularity only to — yes! — french fries.
AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS
50 Things Over 50 We Still Love Every Day
From the microwave to The Beatles what would life be like without these classics
AARP Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.Around the house
Electric drip coffee maker, 1954 —Mr. Potato Head, 1952 — Toy Story has ensured this fave’s longevity.
Color TV, 1950 — Adopted by the three networks in 1965. Tupperware, 1946 —
Ice cooler, 1953 — A landmark moment in chilling out. Microwave, 1945 — Beeped into homes in the late 1960s; it never left. Handheld hair dryer, 1920s — The wet head — thankfully — remains dead. Lego toys, 1949 — From the Danish leg godt, which means “play well.” UPS, 1953 —
Money
American Express, 1958 — The first boost to our love affair with debt.Warren Buffett, 1930 — A $10,000 investment in him in 1962 is worth $298 million today.
Getting around
10-Speed Bicycle, 1960 — A paradigm shift from the 3-speed. Ford Mustang, 1964 — The everyman muscle car persists! Skateboard, 1959 — You’ve made it when the Olympics come calling (summer 2020, Tokyo). Harley-Davidson, 1903 — From Brando to... Leno? Courtesy of Harley-DavidsonHealth & Wellness br
Sunscreen, 1935 — Slather on and ward off UV rays. ChapStick, 1880 — Pucker up!The pill, 1960 — There would have been no sexual revolution without it!
Entertainment
Tony Bennett, 1926 — At 93, he has no plans to retire.AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > Motown songs, 1960s — “My Girl,” “I’m Losing You” and many tunes turned out by the Temptations and other now-revered acts are Detroit’s longest-lasting vehicles. Jeopardy! 1964 — Nearly 10 million people watch every night. Star Trek, 1966 — In 2020 the Enterprise is back, on CBS’ Star Trek: Picard. Spider-Man, 1962 — Big on the Web!
Margaret Atwood, 1939 — Her first novel, The Edible Woman, 1969, presaged the Handmaid saga.
Green Eggs and Ham, 1960 —
To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960 — We still buy a million copies annually. Smiley face, 1963 — Harvey Ross Ball whipped up the first emoji. James Bond, 1962 — Sean Connery was the first 007; Daniel Craig (the sixth) returns in No Time to Die, out this April. Clint Eastwood, 1930 — Good, bad... but never really ugly, right?
Style
Birkenstocks, 1964 — Every hippie's favorite sandal; 25 million are sold each year.Miniskirt, early 1960s — The stock market is said to rise when hemlines do.
Spandex, 1959 — Stretches more than 500%. Chuck Taylor high-tops, 1932 — Perennially cool; think James Dean, the Ramones and Madonna. Tie-dye, 1960s — These funky DIY designs never fall out of style.
Bikini, 1946 — Named after an atom bomb test site. Still detonating on beaches worldwide.
Ray-Bans, 1936 — Tom Cruise and other stars have helped bring back retro-cool Wayfarers, 1952, and Aviators, 1937.
Food & Beverage
M&Ms, 1941 — Still the most popular candy on earth. Gatorade, 1965 — Led the way to the sports drink boom.Subway (the store), 1965 — Currently sells 5,300 subs a minute!
Frozen pizza, 1957 — In 2018, 198 million people indulged.
Big Mac, 1968 — Second in popularity only to — yes! — french fries.
AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS