Consumer Time Capsule

McDonald’s Australia was absolutely out of their minds in the 90s… Passionfruit Sundaes and the KAHUNA BURGER with round bacon and a slice of pineapple!

My new license plate…

Great find - yeah, I'd love to have it if you wouldn't mind sending it my way?

Yikes… late 60s Ronald was pretty intense

While McDonald's in the US only got four Muppet Babies Happy Meal toys, Canada got five, thanks to the addition of Animal. No clue why it worked out like that, but the Animal figure is an important one for Happy Meal set completionists like me. (1987)

In the Summer of 1994 (A.D.), McDonald's briefly converted into ROC DONALD'S to celebrate the Flintstones movie. One of the most enduring parts of the promotion is this t-shirt featuring an "over 19 dozen sold" sign.

I have SO many boxes of Zonkers in my collection. I'll have to post some of them soon.

Fudgsicle Chocolate Fudge Soda… quite possibly the rarest can in my entire collection! (1992)

The RESCUERS DOWN UNDER Happy Meal was so much cooler than it needed to be. Most kids would have been alright with little toys from the movie, but instead, we got these incredibly sweet viewmasters. (1990)

Most folks remember the Chicken McNuggets Shanghai, but did you know that in the UK, there was a full "Tastes of the Orient" menu with spring rolls, toffee & banana pie and even an ORIENTAL MCRIB?!?! (Late 80's)

McDLT - keeps the hot part hot and the cool part cool! (1985)

This is so cool!

Tiny Toon Adventures Wacky Rollers were a really fun Happy Meal set. Each character's toy had a unique action that took place as the vehicle rolled. The Buster Bunny one with the basketball hoop was definitely the showstealer. (1992)

I unexpectedly ran into this ultra-rare mid-70s Ronald McDonald DRIVE-THRU SPEAKER STATUE yesterday at an antique mall! This is the first one I’ve ever seen in person, but with the condition issues, I couldn’t justify the $9,500 price tag. Still cool to see!

Funny that they're promoting "real ice cream" like it's some kind of health food. It's like a made with whole grain campaign... but it's about one of the least healthy things you can eat.

The first video game-themed Happy Meal was the SUPER MARIO BROS 3 set from 1990. It had one of the sweetest countertop displays ever… how could a kid resist this?!?!

In 1983, V103 FM in Atlanta teamed with McDonald’s to release an LP of independent artists from the area, dubbed MCTRAX. This is an insanely rare piece in any condition, but this one is SEALED!

Pringles have come in so many flavors over the years, but one of the most interesting was “Butter’n Herbs” in 1986. Also interesting that it was still spelled “Pringle’s” in the possessive at the time.

Butterfinger and The Simpsons were simply a match made in heaven. Case in point: this 1993 6-bar pack with Bart, Homer and a free comic book.

In 1985, McDonald's made their first attempt at packaging french fries in a ridiculously large container with the introduction of BONUS FRIES, a size 30% larger than their large fries.

Imagine walking up to the counter and seeing someone wearing a McDonald's SURFER CAP! These are all incredible. (1993)

Neon McDonald's Pizza plastic mugs... because nobody wants to eat pizza while drinking out of a wax cup. (1991)

What do you think - should I go trick-or-treating with this 61-year-old McDonald's Archy McDonald bag tonight?

For a brief time, McDonald's offered MCFOTO Film Service, which included selling film and disposable cameras plus film processing drop off/pick up at the restaurant. I'm telling you - McDonald's has tried everything imaginable. (2000)

With Halloween Pails back at McDonald's, here's a throwback photo from 1986 with McGoblin Pails everywhere!

Nothing beats a McDonald’s Halloween Pail, but the design of this late 80s Hardee’s Halloween bag puts it in the conversation.

The Little Caesars Big! Big! Bucket contained a whopping THREE AND A HALF POUNDS OF SPAGHETTI. Since it was 1992, this behemoth, capable of single-handedly ending world hunger, would only set you back $7.99.

I wonder if we’ll get another Halley’s Comet Fiesta Meal at Taco Bell in 2061? (1986)

A family that wears Ronald McDonald-themed clothing together, stays together (1991)

McDonald’s Pumpkin Pie seems to have first appeared in 1984 (…the history on some of this stuff is very hard to trace). Here’s what that first box design looked like… classy!