Super 70s Archives : Page 4 of 4 : The Retro Network

View‑Master: How a Simple Viewer Became a Window to the World

If you took any pride at all in your toy chest—and we hope you did—it surely contained a View-Master. When the action figure war simulation wound down and you needed a short intermission before you

How WKRP Turned a Radio Station Into TV Comedy Gold

Mickey Yarber

WKRP in Cincinnati mixed workplace chaos with genuine heart, turning a struggling radio station into one of TV’s most lovable ensembles. From on‑air mishaps to unforgettable characters, the series remains a charming slice of retro sitcom comfort.

How Monopoly Helped Free POWs in World War II

Mickey Yarber

Park Place, Boardwalk, and a hidden map with a secret escape route? For Allied POWs during World War II, Monopoly games came equipped with real-life “get out of jail free” cards. During World War II,

The Rural Purge at CBS

Mickey Yarber

In the early 1970s, Fred Silverman undertook a radical plan to remake CBS. What resulted was the programming bloodbath known as the rural purge.

A Look Back at Kolchak: The Night Stalker

Mickey Yarber

Kolchak: The Night Stalker followed a relentless reporter chasing the supernatural through ’70s shadows, blending noir grit with monster‑of‑the‑week thrills. Darren McGavin’s dogged charm turned the series into a cult classic that still haunts retro TV fans.

Lawn Darts: The Most Dangerous Toy of All Time

Mickey Yarber

Starting in the 1970s, people began to cast a suspicious eye on the safety standards used in making toys. Parents and lawmakers began voicing their concerns and this led to new legal standards for what

Yahtzee: From Yacht Parties to Living Rooms Everywhere

The Retro Network

A bejillion years from now, when archaeologists are digging up the suburban dens of our buried civilization, amid all the broken down ColecoVisions and My Buddy dolls, a Yahtzee box will be reverently dusted off and carted away.

Mouse Trap: Building the Game Was Half the Fun

The Retro Network

It may be time to revise the old maxim, “Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door.” The mousetrap in the board game of the same name may have

When Candy Went Big League: Remembering the Reggie! Bar

Mickey Yarber

During the 1977 world series, Reggie Jackson hit three home runs in game six, accomplishing something that had only been done previously by Babe Ruth. The feat earned him the title of “Mr. October” –

Sorry!: The Board Game Where Payback Is the Point

The Retro Network

Woe to the unlucky Sorry! player, and the torrent of conflicting advice he hears from the little animated angel and devil that perch on either shoulder. Angel: “Show some sportsmanship! Prove you know the fine

Monopoly: The Game That Turned Kids Into Tiny Tycoons

The Retro Network

A board game that hinges on buying and selling imaginary real estate might not, at first glance, seem like such a shoo-in for the All-Star Toy team. Kids like to pretend, sure…they imagine they’re superheroes,

A Brief History of Battleship

The Retro Network

In this “classic naval combat game,” the open seas were cluttered with ships of war, five on each side. But unlike real war, these nautical enemies decided to play fair, standing perfectly still and taking

Unforgettable Fashion: Underoos

Mickey Yarber

“Underwear that’s fun to wear, It’s you in your Underoos!” Up, up and away…Underoos made make-believe even better when fun came to underwear, transforming you into your favorite superhero or cartoon character. Wonder Woman, Batman,

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

Remembering H.R. Pufnstuf

Kevin Decent

“Who are you? HR Shovnstuf?” For most of my generation, myself included, this line from Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is the only reference to not only the work of HR Pufnstuf, but the entire