Mickey Yarber, aka The Retro Rambler

The Beginnings of MTV

The earliest ancestor of the modern music video was the soundie, a black-and-white 16mm film recording of a musician performing before a live audience. The first soundies appeared in 1940, and all the big singing

History of McDonald’s Shamrock Shake

Mickey Yarber

Fascinating Facts About Hot Wheels

Mickey Yarber

Since 1968, Hot Wheels have been a favorite toy of kids and adults the world over. Even as popular as they have been for over fifty years, there’s probably a few things you still don’t

Fascinating Facts About The Goonies

Mickey Yarber

The Goonies was a 1985 film by Richard Donner about a group of adventurous kids who discover an old pirate map and follow it into an underground cavern in search of treasure to save their

Fascinating Facts About NBA Jam

Mickey Yarber

NBA Jam was released in 1993 and went on to become the most popular arcade game of all time. Here are 5 things you may not have known about the legendary game. It Was Originally

From Poem to Christmas Icon: The Story of Rudolph

Mickey Yarber

In 1939, with the depression still casting a shadow over sales and war worries depressing the general mood, executives at Montgomery Ward were looking for a special Christmas draw to lure shoppers. Traditional themes –

The Early Years of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Mickey Yarber

Every year on Thanksgiving morning, while countless turkeys are roasting in the oven, over 3 million people bundle up and line the streets of New York to watch the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In

Our Favorite Stores at the Mall

Mickey Yarber

Hey retro lovers, welcome to our first TRN Round Table. The Round Table is where several creators from the TRN Bullpen get together and share their thoughts on a common theme. In this first edition,

The Real-Life Inspiration for Rocky Balboa

Mickey Yarber

Chuck Wepner was a tough man. He learned to handle himself while working as a bouncer in the late ’50s. Then, while in the Marine Corps, he took up boxing. When his time in the

Our Favorite Old School Wrestlers

Mickey Yarber

The staff of TRN and some friends get together for a round table style discussion of our favorite old school wrestlers.

The History of McDonald’s Shamrock Shake

Mickey Yarber

McDonald’s Shamrock Shake had a unique beginning. Football teams, hospitals, and more combine to give this iconic shake it’s humble beginnings.

Ed Wood: The Worst Filmmaker of All Time

Mickey Yarber

From the time he was only 7 years old, Ed Wood wanted to make movies. After seeing the 1931 movie Dracula, he started spending as much time at theaters as he could. He got

The Golden Age of Department Stores at Christmas

Mickey Yarber

In today’s world of specialty shops, discount superstores, and all the choices we have online, it’s hard to imagine the role the department store once played in American life. Each town had one of these

Do You Remember Green Stamps?

Mickey Yarber

Raise your hand if you remember S&H Green Stamps. For those of you without telepathy, my hand is high in the air. That’s because I certainly remember Green Stamps. Now, for those of you

Who Did We Crush On?

Mickey Yarber

Carolyne Heldman Biggest crush? If we’re talking junior high, might have to say, Mary Lou Retton. I fell head over heels for that little spitfire during the ’84 Olympic games. She may very well be

Retro Ramblings: The Glory Days of Pizza Hut

Mickey Yarber

Pizza Hut in the 80s and 90s was great. Relive everything you miss, and all the things that made it great back in the glory days of Pizza Hut.

Our Favorite Old School Music Videos

Mickey Yarber

Welcome back to another TRN Round Table. It’s where we get together and share our thoughts on the same subject. Earlier this week, the latest episode of the TRN Podcast featured Jason, Mickey, and Eric