17 Nostalgic Photos That Are Virtual Time Machines

Nostalgia is a funny thing. I’m sure if we were back in the times we covet, we would remember all the day to day annoyances that we’ve since forgotten. But the value in it is that we can remember little things that we’ve forgotten or lost that bring back a flood of memories. For a brief moment we get to relive small moments from our pasts.

So talk a stroll down memory lane and see how many of these things you remember, and tell us which of them bring back the fondest memories. We’d love to hear them!

1. Who remembers bath beads?

A container with a white lid is surrounded by colorful gel beads and shapes, including stars, a dolphin, and a frog on a white background. The beads are in various colors like pink, green, orange, red, and blue.

2. Gina Ekiss, the designer of the Solo Jazz Cup (circa 1990).

A woman smiling and holding a white cup with a blue and purple wave design. In front of her on a wooden table are a bowl and two plates with the same design. The background shows a cozy living room.

3. Who remembers when KitKat was wrapped in aluminum foil?

Red Kit Kat wrapper with bold white logo. Features an image of chocolate-covered wafer pieces and text "CRISP WAFERS IN CHOCOLATE." Silver foil edges are visible. Net weight listed as 1½ oz (42g).

4. Still the greatest gummy fruit snacks ever.

A box of Shark Bites chewy fruit snacks, featuring images of colorful sharks and labeled "Made with Real Fruit." In front are four shark-shaped gummies in blue, brown, green, and white. The flavor is fruit punch.

5. I sure miss the classic McDonald’s breakfast. Remember how the packaging would squeak?

Yellow McDonald's Big Breakfast container open, revealing scrambled eggs, a sausage patty, and a biscuit. A hash brown partially visible next to the container.

6. Remember when almost everyone had a popcorn maker like the Poppery II?

A vintage West Bend Poppery II hot air popcorn popper sits on a kitchen counter next to its original box. The popper has a white base and transparent orange lid. The box features an image of popcorn overflowing from the machine.

7. Back when music stores had listening stations.

A person wearing headphones is selecting music at a listening station in a store. The wall displays various albums numbered 36 to 40, with CDs and promotional images visible. The ambiance appears warm and inviting.

8. These always felt cozy.

A sunlit seating area in a 1990s Wendy's features wooden tables and chairs near large, arched windows. A few people sit enjoying their meals. The text reflects nostalgia for eating a Dave's Single in this setting.

9. Remember the Hot Cakes Changeables Happy Meal toys?

A hand holding a vintage toy shaped like a closed fast-food hotcakes container with an 'M' logo on the top. The toy transforms into a pink and white bird-like creature, with the wings displaying the word "HOTCAKES.

10. Pretty wild that they’re already putting portable CD players in Museums.

A Panasonic portable CD player with a silver and blue circular design, displayed in a clear case with attached black and silver headphones. The label reads, "Discman, a portable compact disc (CD) player, Panasonic, c. 2002. WDM-2009-S-1.

11. There was something so much more rewarding about going to a video store compared to streaming.

A long aisle in a Blockbuster Video store with shelves filled with DVDs and video cases. A yellow wall and blue Blockbuster Video sign are visible above the shelves. The carpeted floor runs parallel to the shelves.

12. Remember Otter Pops? What color are you choosing?

Colorful Otter Pops in a variety of flavors: Strawberry Short Kook, Little Orphan Orange, Sir Isaac Lime, Poncho Punch, and Louie-Bloo Raspberry. Each flavor features a cartoon otter character on the packaging.

13. Remember when E-Machines claimed their computers would be “never obsolete”?

A vintage eMachines computer tower with several colorful stickers showcasing its features, including a 600 MHz Intel Celeron processor, 64 MB RAM, and 8x CD-ROM. The stickers also emphasize upgradability and internet readiness.

14. How did every house have this lamp?

A tall, black floor lamp positioned in the corner of a room emits a bright white light upward, illuminating the textured beige walls around it.

15. “We are Flintstone’s kids, 10 million strong and growing.”

Close-up of Flintstones themed chewable vitamins shaped like cartoon characters, with a container of vitamins blurred in the background. The vitamins are in various colors, including pink, gray, and brown.

16. Remember when you found out that Silly Putty lifted print off of a newspaper?

Red, egg-shaped Silly Putty container open to reveal a pale pink putty inside. The word "Silly" is embossed on the lid.

17. Remember recording all the good stuff to VHS so you could watch it later?

A stack of eight VHS tapes labeled with various movie and TV titles, including "Little Shop of Horrors," "Carpenters," "The Blues Brothers," "Simpsons," and "Grease." The tapes are different brands, like Polaroid and Kodak, resting on a wooden surface.

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