The first Barbie doll was launched in around the same period as the award winning television show Mad Men depicts. So what could be better than to combine the two and release a special Mad Men collectors series for adults. Here's a fun chance to act out what adventures could happen with Don Draper with wife Betty and ginger bombshell Joan Holloway in the same bedroom... or then again, maybe not. For anyone who still has a childlike mind the doll versions of Don and Betty Draper, Roger Sterling and Joan Holloway will be available to buy in July with a suggested retail price of $74.95 each. Cigarettes and Martinis not included.
American company Big Chill came up with the brilliant idea of launching a line of kitchen appliances that have modern functionality, efficiency and dependability but that look like they are straight out of the 50s. If you always wanted that pink retro kitchen, here's your chance – with the added bonus that you don't have to venture out on a long and slow quest to find those over priced retro stoves and fridges found at various thrift stores, which turns out they barely work once installed.
Big Chill offers newly manufactured fridges, stoves and dishwashers that come in various retro pastel color schemes circa 1955. If you recognize them it could be because they have been featured in both Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray and Oprah. Prices range around $1695 for the dishwashers to $4295 for the stoves. Who said living a retro lifestyle is cheap? For more kitchen styling and renovation madness, be sure to visit the great Retro Renovation blog. [Thanks Cam]
Boeing 747, also known as the jumbo jet was first introduced in 1970. With Pan American airlines as one of its major investors they had the possibility to influence the design and development of the aircraft. It was deemed that the world needed a jet plane of massive size that could transport hundreds of passengers fast, efficient and with style. Juan Trippe who was the CEO of Pan Am at the time predicted that the 747 would be "... a great weapon for peace, competing with intercontinental missiles for mankind's destiny." (Source).
Here is a taste of various photos found at the great airliners.net website, depicting how it was like to travel with a Pan Am jumbo jet in the early 1970s. For anyone who hasn't been able to experience it first hand, I recommend getting the Space Age Lounge Volume 3 compilation and then read the article about former Pan Am stewardess Valerie Waterman. What are your memories of jet traveling in the 1970s?
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If you miss the old days when television was black and white and the television-sets were anything but dull looking, LG has a treat in store for you! They call it "The LG Serie 1 Retro Classic TV" and comes with a 4:3 ratio 14 inch display screen which can be tuned to either color mode, sepia or black and white – perfect for watching those old 1950s and 1960s television shows such as "I Dream of Jeannie", "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." or "I Love Lucy". The TV also comes with retro styled chromed legs and rabbit styled antennas. The only problem is that it is currently only sold in South Korea, unless you are willing to take a road trip and have $200 left over to spend. What do you think, would you like to own one of these retro puppies? Continue reading to see more images.
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The '50s are back and making its way into the design of everyday gadgetry. If you are a fan of Apple's personal computers I bet you will dig this concept for a home computer. The "Philco PC" takes its inspiration from the 1954 design classic Philco Predicta, as well as an eclectic mixture of modern minimalism, the steampunk movement, and antiques. Sadly this is still just a concept and the images you see are 3D rendered, but Shultze Works who are the creator of this little time piece, hope that a electronics company will pick it up and start to manufacture it in a near future. What do you think? Would you like to have the "Philco PC" in your mid century inspired designer home and how much would you pay for it? Continue reading to see more images and a video of the PC.
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Retro futuristic concept drawings for branded stores in the 1950s. I really dig the look and the color schemes.
Images via the Ultra Swank Photo Group
Here is something for all you office / gadget geeks. Corporate environments used to be stylish, fun and zany a couple of decades ago, pre cubicle-land, Lumberghs and Hawaiian shirt day. Look at those big machines and the women who knows how to operate them, pretty sassy huh? There are a bunch of more retro office porn photos here (Via) [Thanks Cam]
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Wednesday inspiration. The Stahl House, also known as Case Study House #22 was finished in 1959 and is most likely the most famous house from the CSH program with help from famed photographer Julius Schulman.
Image via the Ultra Swank Flickr Pool
