Submitted by W Bickford

The commercial that started it all:

In the late 80’s, there was a Raisin invasion! They were EVERYWHERE! The Raisins had four albums (the first is pictured at the top), two TV specials, a cartoon, and there was supposed to be a video game. “California Raisins: The Grape Escape” was never released. But we found a clip for you, because we care:

We can understand why this wasn’t unleashed on the general public.

Submitted by C Travis-Groves

Oh, man. Can you believe we used to play with these and think it was cool? Remember getting a bunch in your Halloween goodie bag? They tasted awful-it didn’t matter if it was the gum or that white chalky stuff.

Firing up the Way Back Machine, here’s a delightful candy smoke assortment:

Photo via candyfavorites.com

Forget Camel Joe, here’s Popeye! Nosiree, not marketing to children at all.

Photo via gasolinealleyantiques

Wow. Things sure have changed! Yes, you can still buy these, but who would give them to a kid NOW?

Submitted by K

All together now: “HE LIKES IT!!! HEY, MIKEY!!!”

It seems that Little Mikey (John Gilchrist in real life) was yet another “victim” of the pop rock urban legend. According to Wikipedia:

A few years after the commercial’s debut, an urban legend developed that the actor who had played Little Mikey had died soon afterward when his stomach exploded after consuming Pop Rocks and soda. The myth — long since disproved as both nonfactual (as John Gilchrist is still alive) and scientifically improbable (as the chemicals in both Pop Rocks and soda are not capable of exploding a human stomach) — still resurfaces every few years, usually surrounding an identifiable child actor.

Those evil Pop Rocks strike again! Or not.

Submitted by luckylakeway

Did we ever learn how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Toosie Pop, or does that remain one of life’s great unanswered questions?

Submitted by S Paul

These are still around, but they’re nowhere near as popular as they were when we were kids. I’m not sure why, it looks fun to use. Maybe it’s because they don’t advertise like they used to:

Or could the waning popularity have to do with the sticky-mess-everywhere factor? I know that’s why I never got one, even after months of begging. Then again, I grew up in the Frozen North, so a Sno Cone machine was a little beside the point. Back in my day, I had to use what nature gave me! Yeah! Git offa mah lawn! (Note: don’t eat the yellow snow.)

If I thought a Snoopy Sno Cone Machine could withstand adult manhandling, I’d try one out. Would it be wrong to add lots of vodka to the mix?

Nope. it’s not wrong. It’s awesome.