We're still on summer vacation, so we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

Hey, Vern. In this episode we discuss how artwork advertising cigars became a cornerstone for kitsch and a character promoting local businesses became a movie star. What is the deal with dogs playing poker, anyway? And how did Ernest P. Worrell go from plugging local car lots in Nashville to saving Christmas in movie theaters across the country? We answer these questions and introduce you to what may be the coolest artist name in history.

So, find your best convenience store-bought cigar, mix your booze with a fun, fizzy soda, and join us once again as we belly up to the bar.

- - - - -

Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-140-when-pitchmen-go-pop

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to [email protected] and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With news of Ken Kesey’s bus Further returning to San Francisco, we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

Today we’re taking a trip through the looking glass.

We return to our series kickoff on psychedelia by discussing its origins, the impact on a generation of pop culture and its lasting effects. Psychedelia’s origins are messy, fascinating, and full of odd little historical crosscurrents. We discuss science, bicycle rides and the first official album of psychedelic music.

So, ask the bartender for a couple of Psychedelic Frogs—and to see if they can stop the walls from dripping rainbow colors—as we chase the white rabbit through the window and back into the bar.

- - - - -

Mentioned in this episode:

Psychedelia

Albert Hofmann

Aldous Huxley

Timothy Leary

Ken Kesey

The 13th Floor Elevators

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to [email protected] and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

There are visual icons that have symbolized professions for so long their origin stories are unknown to the very customers served by them. These independent businesses are owned by all kinds of people serving millions on a daily basis throughout the world, all using these same basic signs outside their establishments.

We're discussing barber poles and pawnbroker balls, two symbols that, unless you’re truly in the middle of nowhere, you can find within minutes of where you live, work or both.

So order up a couple of Barber Beers. We’re lookin' good and feelin' good, back here in the bar.

- - - - -

Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-138-signs-of-the-times

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to [email protected] and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re going to use our imaginations a little bit. We’ve brought a couple of interesting products with us to the bar...but not just any products.

These two were originally created for movies and television, and later made the leap into the real world once they became household names. We’re having dessert first as we sample a Wonka Bar and then we're wetting our whistles with a couple of Duff Beers.

So order up a couple of chocolate martinis. We’re licking our fingers and raising our glasses, back here in the bar.

- - - - -

Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-137-pop-culture-products

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to [email protected] and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of the nation’s 250th birthday, we’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

Why 1976? Plenty of reasons. We discuss each of our ages in this, the banner year our nation was turning 200 and everything in sight had bunting and was painted red, white and blue. KISS was at the height of their powers as Michael Doret’s amazing album art from “Rock and Roll Over” was gracing turntables from coast to coast and the timeless bicentennial star logo from designer Bruce Blackburn was on everything from postage stamps to NASA equipment. And last but not least, Richard Nixon enters the conversation (but not the bar).

- - - - -

Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-136-1976-classic

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to [email protected] and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/merch to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re digging around in the backs of our minds and the pits of our stomachs to remember a couple of beloved food products. Ones that have cult followings and large groups of people who lament these products’ eventual demise.

We’re talking about the origins of TaB Soda from Coke and the fried Apple Pie from McDonald’s. (Hey, we never said this was a health food podcast…)

So ask the bartender to mix a Texas Tab for you – and maybe a couple for us. We’re hitting the drive thru and then rolling back into the bar.

- - - - -

Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-135-cult-products

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to [email protected] and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

While we don't recommend drinking and driving, we do recommend talking pop culture and cars while sitting safe and sound on a couple of bar stools.

Buckle up as we travel back in time to discuss what are arguably the two most popular cars in pop culture: the original 1960s Batmobile and the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Sometimes they worked, oftentimes they didn't. If you smell some burning rubber, it's not from us thinking—at least not this week. Instead, it's a high-octane topic coupled with some Golden Cadillacs from our bartender. Enjoy.

- - - - -

Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-134-iconic-pop-culture-cars-classic

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to [email protected] and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Signs, signs. Everywhere a sign.

Today we’re going to be talking about a couple of colorful visual alphabets. Not typefaces, but the kinds of alphabets that are their own languages. Created to solve specific problems, one works face-to-face and the other from a distance.

So give the high sign to the bartender and order up a couple of Ocean Breezes. We’re bringing you the histories of American Sign Language and nautical flags back here in the bar.

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-133-visual-alphabets

- - - - -

Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to [email protected] and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes.

Today we’re going to be talking about game show logos – the good, the bad and the ugly — and how sometimes all of those qualities could be found in a single piece of artwork. We’re zeroing in on a couple that are loud, busy and colorful, just like the era they were created in and the sets they were created for: The Gong Show and Match Game.

So grab the remote, ask the bartender for a couple of Slot Machine cocktails and join us once again as we spin the wheel and roll the dice right here in the bar.

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-132-game-show-logos

- - - - -

Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to [email protected] and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are some new tablecloths here in the bar, which has gotten us thinking about fabric patterns. Today we’re going to be talking about a couple of patterns that, if you don’t personally have them in your wardrobe, you likely know someone who does. We’ve brought in the funky character known as paisley and the shady character known as camouflage.

So ask the bartender to mix up a couple of Army & Navies because we’re gonna be having a “wrap session” (get it?) back here in the bar.

- - - - -

Visit our full episode page for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more!

https://www.twodesignerswalkintoabar.com/episodes/episode-131-fabric-patterns

- - - - -

Mentioned in this episode:

- - - - -

Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to [email protected] and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess.

- - - - -

Visit our merch page to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on Patreon for subscriber-only extras.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices