Las Vegas is known as the city of lights and, at one time, that light was the glow of an atomic detonation in the Nevada desert. Starting in 1951, the US Army began testing nuclear ordnances just 65 miles from Sin City. At night, the glow of the bombs lit u…
These pictures of Las Vegas strip in the 1950s were taken by LIFE photographer Loomis Dean and capture the nightlife and the long-gone sights of Sin City. The 1950s were a defining era for Las Vegas. It was the decade that saw the rise of the Riviera, the S…
The image of Las Vegas that emerged in the 1970s was one that would take decades to shed: a tacky tourist trap with aging casinos, cheap restaurants, and showrooms filled with performers whose careers were on their last legs. With a few exceptions, investme…
Stella Stevens, born Estelle Eggleston, was an American actress, director, and producer who played in numerous films and television shows throughout her career. She was born on October 1, 1938, in Yazoo City, Mississippi, and raised in Memphis, Tennesse…
When the Consumer Electronics Show first opened its doors in June 1967, few could have predicted the influence it would have on the future of technology. Hosted in New York City, the inaugural event gathered 17,500 attendees and more than 100 exhibitors eag…
There’s something deeply haunting about seeing the final photographs of people who once captivated the world with their talent, presence, or power. These images, often taken just days, hours, or even minutes before their deaths, offer a rare and intimat…
Pamela Anderson, a Canadian-American actress, model, and media personality, became an international sensation in the 1990s. She first gained widespread attention when she was selected as Playboy's Playmate of the Month in February 1990, a title that marked …
In 1972, engineer and inventor Nolan Bushnell founded Atari, one of the pioneering companies in the video game industry. A few years later, despite the success achieved by the company with the legendary video game Pong, Bushnell sold Atari in 1976 to Warner…
As the 20th century unfolded, photographers were on a mission to capture the world's evolution. They snapped away at everything from the chaos of war to the birth of new inventions, as well as the everyday weird and wonderful sights. Think about Boston's…
Born in 1935, Elvis Aaron Presley, also known mononymously as Elvis, was an American singer and actor who left an indelible mark on the world of music and entertainment. Recognized as the "King of Rock and Roll," he is celebrated as one of the most influent…
Ann-Margret Olsson, famously known as Ann-Margret, emerged as a megastar of the silver screen with an unmistakable blend of talent, charisma, and beauty. Born in Sweden and raised in the United States, she captivated audiences with her magnetic presence in …
What began as a humble line of plush toys crafted with care and creativity eventually morphed into a global craze that gripped the hearts and wallets of collectors around the world. Beanie Babies, adorned with their iconic heart-shaped tags, became more tha…
The history of bars in the USA during the 1950s to 1970s was marked by significant changes in trends, culture, fashion, and drinks. This era saw the emergence of various bar styles, including the tiki bars and cocktail lounges of the 1950s, the counterc…
Take a trip back in time to the 1950s and 1960s with a look at some of America's most iconic restaurants and diners. From the bold colors and streamlined shapes of their architecture to the neon signs that lit up the night sky, these establishments were…
These fascinating vintage images show Atlantic City in the 1960s before gambling was legalized and huge hotel chains moved in. The images are part of Glen Fairweather’s collection. The city was incorporated on May 1, 1854, from portions of Egg Harbor To…
Mike Tyson, born on June 30, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York, is a name that will forever be etched in the records of professional boxing history. His career, particularly during the 1980s, left an indelible mark on the sport and captivated audiences around…
Jayne Mansfield (born in 1933) was an American actress, singer, nightclub entertainer best known for her bombshell curves and film roles during the 1950s and 1960s. A sex symbol while under contract at 20th Century Fox, Mansfield was known for her well-publ…
Cuba's reputation as an exotic and permissive playground came to light in the 1920s, when the country became a favorite destination for robber barons and bohemians. Hotels, restaurants, night clubs, golf clubs and casinos sprung up in Havana catering to…
Until the atomic bomb could be tested, doubt would remain about its effectiveness. The world had never seen a nuclear explosion before, and estimates varied widely on how much energy would be released. Some scientists at Los Alamos continued privately to h…
Hoover Dam is as tall as a 60-story building. It was the highest dam in the world when it was completed in 1935. Its base is as thick as two football fields. Each spillway, designed to let floodwaters pass without harming the dam itself, can handle the …