“EAT” signs are an exciting recent addition to the Retroplanet.com product lineup. They include a variety of signs, just like the ones that were used in diners in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Signs like these were sprinkled along the length of Route 66 and all over the rest of the country in the heyday of the American diner. The popularity of diners and lunch counters peaked in the post-WWII era of the 1950s and is enjoying a resurgence of popularity today.

It stands to reason that the use of single-word signs in all capital letters developed out of a desire to capture the attention of drivers passing by in their cars. The message had to be short and sweet—sweet enough to entice hungry travelers to stop in and have a bite. Words like “DINER” and “EAT” were a welcome beacon to people on the road, possibly unfamiliar with the area and looking for a place to eat. The diner became known as a place where you could get a delicious, home-style cooked meal and at a decent price.

What began as a practical way of advertising roadside diners, in later years served to inspire artists of the Pop generation. Probably the most notable among the artists influenced by diner “EAT” signs is Robert Indiana. His first public commission was for an installment at the New York pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing, New York. For this, he created the word “EAT” with 18-foot high letters. (Ironically, the sign, covered in lightbulbs, had to be shut off while on display at the fair. It was attracting too many hungry tourists that believed the sign was advertising a place to eat, rather than being a piece of art.) Indiana is best known for his very famous one-word icon, the work titled “LOVE”. First created for a Christmas card for use by the Museum of Modern Art in 1964, this Pop image also appeared on U.S. postage stamps in 1973.

This trend that favors simplicity and practicality is being rediscovered today. Diner enthusiasts and lovers of all that is retro are displaying the “EAT” sign once again. For your own tribute to the diner, be sure to browse our EAT signs in the Retro Diner Signs category. We hope you have a lot of fun recreating this retro look that recalls a great time in our country’s history. And we hope you have an even better time enjoying your great diner-inspired décor.

Who doesn’t remember the iconic Kit-Cat clock from their childhood? I remember when I was real young, every August we went on our annual shopping trip to buy school shoes. We went to a family-owned store in our downtown that sold children’s clothing and shoes. While we were there, I loved to see the black-and-white Kit-Cat clock hanging on the wall. I loved to watch the tail swing back and forth, keeping time with its oversized eyes. It’s wonderful that the same company that made them then is still making them today for us to enjoy again or to introduce to our children.

The first Kit-Cat Klock was created in 1932 by the California Clock Company. It was introduced during the Great Depression, in the hope of cheering people up and adding a little “mystery and excitement” to their lives. California Clock has been making these little cuties for 75 years now. The clocks have changed through the years, and been available in many different colors, but certainly an item as fun as these will never go out of style.

Have you seen the great selection of retro animated clocks we have here at Retroplanet.com? We offer the classic 1950’s black-and-white Kit-Cat Klock and below we have a video that shows the swaying motion of the Kit-Cat’s eyes and tail. We also carry the companion Pooch Clock in yellow or black. He’s modeled after the classic 1950’s style Cocker Spaniel clock for the many dog lovers out there.

View our Kit Cat Clock famous video
In addition to the Kit-Cat and Pooch clocks, we have the stylish Simone clocks. They are a battery-operated remake of the original 1950’s clock. We offer Simone clocks in white, pink and black. As the tail wags from side to side the cat’s green eyes open and close. The motion and sleek lines are too cool and would fit into so many differently styled interiors!And if you’re in the mood for a clock with a little sass, we have the new Felix the Cat animated wall clock. Felix the Cat was first introduced as a cartoon character in silent films in the early 20th century. This timeless character is still loved by many today. He can’t help but make you smile as his tail sways and his eyes move from side to side.Maybe you’d like to check out this collection of fun clocks and add some animation to your life!

When I was a kid I always found it fun to make models. I leaned toward planes and ships, but I did build car models occasionally. Back then they were a lot of work. You would need an Exacto knife, glue and paint. And those water-release decals just never seemed to work out. But now you can introduce your kids and grandkids to the fun of model making with our new line of Revell SnapRods and SnapTite models. No glue, no painting and no water-release decals.

We have available 4 classic muscle cars, including the 1969 Z28 Camaro, the 1970 Mustang Mach 1, the 1978 Corvette Sports Coupe and the 1968 Pontiac GTO.  Also available are four Star Wars vehicles, including Darth Vader’s Tie Fighter, Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing Fighter, a TIE Interceptor and Anakin’s Jedi Starfighter.

Check them out, they make great gifts, party favors and stocking stuffers and they might just get someone you know introduced into the fun hobby of model building.

Be sure to check out our 2009 Stocking Stuffer Blog!!

Try something a little different for stocking stuffers this year. Go retro! Rather than doing the same type of thing, try a new approach to gift giving by surprising them with something unexpected. Perhaps a Mini Robot, a Space Blaster Toy Gun, Paddle Ball Game, a Classic Slinky or some hard-to-find old-fashioned candy is the way to go! There are a large variety of bobblehead characters and balsawood airplanes, Gumby, Pokey and Speed Racer figures, the PeeWee Gumball Machine and Mini Pinball Games. There are so many items to put a smile on someone’s face that you are sure to find what you’re looking for.

The more grown-up people on your list would love our funny Magnetic Tin Signs and Refrigerator Magnets, some colorful Fuzzy Dice, a Flat Pocket Bottle Opener or one of our Tiki Drink Mixes! There’s also our selection of Tin Banks like the Boot Fund, the Shopping Fund and the Coffee Fund Tin Banks. There are light switch plate covers like our I Love Lucy Switch Plate Cover or one of the many others in our store. There are many Hula-inspired products, like the Hula Girl and Hula Guy figures, a Dancing Dashboard Hula Girl, and a Hula Girl Air Freshener—so much more fun than those pine trees!

And if you need a stocking to put your items into, there’s the Jumbo Tube Sock Christmas Stocking to hang in front of your fireplace. The 21-inch cotton sock may be just what you’re looking for to give a fresh new take on an old tradition.

We’d like to help you spread some holiday cheer this year with our retro-inspired gifts. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. So have a look at all of the wide variety of kitschy, retro items we have to offer. And have a Merry Christmas!

If you haven’t already seen the 1983 movie “A Christmas Story”—you may want to rent it this year. It was proclaimed by AOL in 2007 to be the “#1 Christmas movie of all time”. It’s a hilarious comedy about an Indiana family as Christmas approaches in 1940. Featured is 9-year-old Ralphie Parker who wants nothing more for Christmas than a Red Ryder BB gun. But his family, teacher, and even the department store Santa tell him, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” An additional subplot features Ralphie’s father, who is referred to as “The Old Man”. Mr. Parker enters a newspaper trivia contest and wins after his wife supplies him with the answer. His prize, much to his wife’s dismay, is a woman’s leg lamp—complete with fishnet stocking and high heel. Supposedly the leg was the logo for the Nehi Bottling Company that sponsored the contest. Her jealousy drives Mrs. Parker to break the lamp and The Old Man attempts to tape it back together after finding that Mrs. Parker has intentionally used up all the glue.

“A Christmas Story” is filled with bittersweet memories of family (for better or worse) and childhood Christmases. Maybe you’d like to bring some retro Christmas humor into your own home and/or send some to a friend or loved one. We carry several amusing products that pay tribute to “A Christmas Story”, including Ralphie and The Old Man head knockers, Red Ryder signs and light switch plates and of course, the Christmas Story Desk Leg Lamp. Please take a look at these and all of our other cool products while you’re here.

View the leg lamp video!

Are you going off to college in the fall? Have you been wondering how to decorate your dorm room? Don’t worry! We are here to offer lots of retro-inspired ideas on what you can do to your room.

An easy way to bring life to a small dorm room is to decorate with a theme in mind. This unifies all of the separate pieces and makes the décor of the room flow together. We have many items that can be combined to create your perfect theme. Here are a few suggestions of what can be done…

A dorm room with a retro theme can easily be put together. This is a broad category, and can encompass a lot of different pieces such as lava lamps, funky area rugs, vintage style clocks, reproduction concert and movie posters, vintage signs, comic book and super hero items and even 50s diner accessories!

Do you love listening to music? A dorm room filled with music memorabilia with a Tabletop Jukebox as the centerpiece is a fantastic way to personalize your room and show off your music collection! While you listen to your music, you can look at all the Reproduction Concert Posters hung on your walls and drink coffee from a Rolling Stones Mug or a Beatles Glass. You will be the envy of the dorm with a room as cool as this.

Are you the type of person that likes to come home to a groovy room and chill out? All you need is a Lava Lamp in your choice of color, and a colorful VW Bus Floor Mat. Hang a beaded curtain up and put some Rock Concert Posters and Music Signs on your walls, and you are good to go.

Are you a surfer? Do you love the beach lifestyle? Beautiful metal signs with surfing and beach scenes bring the ocean right to your door. Add a Surfboard Shaped Clock and some reproduction Bruce Brown Movie Posters and you’ve got a great start to a surfing room. If you’re lucky enough to have your own bathroom, decorate it with the Hula Girl Shower Curtain and matching Hula Wastebasket to complete the theme.

Surfing items also go great with a Tiki room! We have Tiki Mugs, Tiki Lamps, Tiki decorations and even the Dancing Dashboard Hula Girl! Add some lounge signs and a great Tiki Drink Area Rug and enjoy your retro tiki room in style.

A room inspired by garage art can be really awesome. We have hundreds of car signs to choose from such as Vintage Auto Signs, Logo Signs such as Chevrolet and Ford, Hot Rod Art signs, Garage and Gas Signs, and funny No Parking Signs. We also have Rear-end and Front-end Car Shelves, and even a Chevy Bel Air Coat Rack. You won’t run out of ideas for this room!

Do you like urban retro style? Start with one of our Manhole Cover Doormats, and mix it up with a beautiful Vintage Inspired Clock or Mirror. The sleek Chinese Take-out Container Lamps add a feeling of urban mystery, and don’t forget the Ceramic New York City Greek Restaurant Mugs. They bring a touch of the big city to a small room.

Are you a swinging bachelor ready to entertain at a moment’s notice? You’ll definitely need some of our cool Lounge Signs and Mirrors. You’ll also need a Cocktail Shaker Lamp to set the mood, and a Zebra Pattern Area Rug will complete the look. You’ll be entertaining in retro style all year long.

RetroPlanet.com has hundreds of retro items that can be combined to create the look you want. They also make fun and unique gifts for college students. Check out our Dorm Room Décor category or look through our website and come up with your own unique theme for your room. Choose from our huge assortment of products such as doormats, vintage metal signs, cool area rugs, funny magnets, movie and concert posters, funky lamps, cool accessories and much more! Let your imagination run wild and have a great time decorating your room. We guarantee you will have one of the coolest dorm rooms on campus!

Looking for party favor ideas for your next celebration? Look no further -
Retro Party Favors are the best! Not only are they unique, they bring back memories and a feeling of nostalgia. Here are a few ideas to get you started, so let your imagination run wild and have fun while you create your own retro party favor gifts!

For a child’s birthday party, what can be more cool than handing out the toys you played with as a kid? Remember the Balsa Wood Airplanes? Or the fun of playing with Jacks or Marbles? The old fashioned Paddleball game is still a favorite with children and adults alike. And who could forget the challenging hand-held pinball games and the famous Slinky!

A very cool classic Chevy car carton filled with old fashioned candy is another great idea.

Planning a theme party, a margarita night, or a retro shindig? Pass out these cool sunglasses and let the fun begin! The best part is that they liven up any gathering and are perfect party gifts for the guests to bring home with them.

Vintage style steel bottle openers can be given out at almost any occasion. Guests will love the classic steel design, and they look great with any decor. They make the perfect favor gifts for a 21st birthday party, or a summer celebration.

A great idea for reunions or milestone birthdays are books and magnets highlighting your special anniversary, reunion, or birthday year.

One of the best ideas for party favors are retro magnets with humorous modern quotes. These make wonderful gifts for bridal showers, baby showers, or any occasion and always let your guests leave with a hearty laugh. For an even more unique gift, wrap the magnet in tulle fabric or use a small gift bag, add some chocolates, tie with a ribbon, and voila!

In the heat of the summer, a luau or tiki party is the way to go. A great way to bring fun to your party and give guests a cool gift is to serve tropical drinks in Tiki Mugs or shot glasses that the guests can bring home with them. Another idea is to decorate with tiki candles, and then hand them out at the end of the party. And if you want to really give your guests a cool party favor, check out this Dancing Hula Dashboard Doll. She’s tropically retro and always fun to watch!

Check out the RetroPlanet website for even more Retro Party Favor ideas. Be sure to send us a picture or comment if you want to share your creations with us!

There’s an interesting story behind the creation of Guillow balsa wood airplanes. It began when a former WWI U.S. Navy aviator by the name of Paul K. Guillow started a company called Nu Craft Toys in 1926 out of his barn. His experience and interest in aviation led to the introduction of a line of military airplane models made out of balsa wood. The first official aircraft flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright had occurred in 1903, only 23 years prior. Airplanes were still very much a novelty. In 1927 when Charles A. Lindbergh flew from New York to Paris, the nation’s interest in aviation soared. As a result, Guillow’s model airplane kits were very much in demand, making it necessary to move his toy company to a larger place, and again to an even larger one in 1933 to the present location at 40 New Salem Street in Wakefield, Massachusetts. The name of the company was changed to Paul K. Guillow, Inc.

The first product line of balsa wood airplanes made available was of WWI biplane fighters that sold very well right up to the mid 1940’s. During WWII balsa wood was harder to get since it was being used to produce life rafts and life jackets for the war. The 1950’s saw a renewed interest in balsa wood airplanes that continues today.

Retroplanet.com carries two models of balsa wood planes, both with a 12-inch wingspan. There’s the Jetfire Balsa Wood Glider and the Sky Streak Balsa Wood Airplane, which is a rubber band-powered plane.

Get a bunch of these planes this summer for when you’ve got friends and family over. Set them loose in the sky and have a blast. They can also be used for races. See who can make them go the fastest or the highest! They always make great party favors, too.