Mickey Yarber, aka The Retro Rambler

POGs: The Fad That Slammed the ’90s

In the world of ’90s playground obsessions, Tamagotchis, slap bracelets, and Beanie Babies, few fads hit harder (literally) than POGs. These colorful cardboard discs, paired with chunky “slammers,” turned recess into a battlefield of flips,

Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels: The Prehistoric Hero of Saturday Morning

Mickey Yarber

“Captain CAAAAAAAAVEMAAAAAAAN!” Captain Caveman was a prehistoric superhero unfrozen by three teenage beauties. They took him around in their van, solving mysteries across the country. And he could fly. Young boys of the world, set

The Legacy of Pole Position and Its Impact on Arcade History

Mickey Yarber

Pole Position brought real speed to the arcade, turning simple controls and a single qualifying lap into a rush of Formula 1 excitement. It set the standard for racing games and became an unforgettable golden‑age favorite.

Lincoln Logs: The Frontier Toy That Never Went Out of Style

Mickey Yarber

Kids love building stuff. A casual visit to your local toy store will prove this, revealing shelves of time-tested construction toys like Legos, Erector sets, and Tinker Toys. One of the classic toys in this category is Lincoln

The Mysterious Cities of Gold: A Journey Across History, Mystery, and Sunlight

Mickey Yarber

“Children of the Sun, see your time has just begun,Searching for your way, through adventures every day.Every day and night, with the condor in flight,With all your friends in tow, you search for the Cities

Arcade All-Stars: Asteroids

Mickey Yarber

In the years after Star Wars, anything involving outer space, zippy interstellar craft, and dangerous battles was golden. Into this arena of sci-fi fantasy came Atari’s Asteroids, one of the most enduring hits in video game history.

Sit‑N‑Spin: The Classic Toy That Made Us All Dizzy With Joy

Mickey Yarber

Carnival rides were one of the coolest things about being a kid. Getting strapped into a Tilt-A-Whirl or Tea Cups and then being spun around was the next best thing to an out-of-body experience. Of

The Six Million Dollar Man Action Figure: How a TV Icon Became a Toy‑Aisle Legend

Mickey Yarber

If there was ever a television series that demanded a toy line for its merchandise, it was The Six Million Dollar Man. This classic series chronicling the adventures of a half-man, half-robot government agent named Steve

Lazer Tag: High‑Tech Hits and Pure 80s Power

Mickey Yarber

If you were a kid in 1986, you probably remember the hype. For months before Worlds of Wonder finally released Lazer Tag, the company built up suspense to unbelievable levels with a series of teasing

Etch A Sketch: The Mechanical Marvel Behind a Generational Favorite

Mickey Yarber

It’s a nice feeling to finish an Etch-A-Sketch picture you’re semi-proud of. “It actually looks like a tree this time!” you tell yourself. But then that brainy cousin of yours shows you the portrait he’s Etch-A-Sketched and

Just Add Water: The Magical Story of Sea Monkeys

Mickey Yarber

There have been plenty of toys that allowed children to put their natural creative energies to work. Legos, Erector sets, and countless other similar items let kids build elaborate kingdoms and complex machines to satisfy the need

Discontinued Taco Bell Menu Items You’ve Probably Forgotten About

Mickey Yarber

The Taco Bell food you enjoy today is probably not the same stuff you enjoyed in your younger years. That’s not a huge surprise as menus change through the years. Fast food restaurants are constantly

Whatever Happened to the Actual Love Boat?

Mickey Yarber

Even if you have never watched The Love Boat you know the show takes place on a ship. The iconic vessel is displayed prominently in the opening credits, serving as a backdrop to the frenzy of

How Jurassic Park Helped Create McDonald’s Supersize

Mickey Yarber

The term “supersize me” has existed for so long that people seem to have forgotten how it started. Sadly that means it was around for three decades. The supersize option at McDonald’s was not originally

The A-Team Was ’80s Action At It’s Best

Mickey Yarber

The A‑Team delivered explosive action, unforgettable characters, and pure 80s fun. This look back at the classic series revisits the missions, the mayhem, and the chemistry that made Hannibal, Face, Murdock, and B.A. television legends.

The McDonald’s McD.L.T.

Mickey Yarber

McDonald’s McDLT gets mentioned on its fair share of fondly remembered food lists and for good reason. Of all the great, and horrible, things to ever grace the menu of McDonald’s, the McDLT was one of the best items they created.

Street Hawk and the Era of Turbo‑Charged TV Action

Mickey Yarber

Street Hawk brought high‑speed action and futuristic style to 80s TV. This look back revisits Jesse Mach, the secret government project, and the supercharged motorcycle that turned a short‑lived series into a lasting cult favorite.