15 Old Products That Are Surprisingly Still Available Today
Walk into any store today and you might stumble upon something your great-grandparents used decades ago.
Some products have survived trends, technology changes, and countless competitors because they simply work. From classic candies to old-school cleaning supplies, these items prove that sometimes the original recipe is still the best one around.
1. Crayola Crayons
Since 1903, kids have been coloring their worlds with these waxy sticks of joy. The company started with just eight colors, but now offers over 100 shades.
Parents trust them because they’re non-toxic and washable. Teachers love them because they’re affordable and reliable for classroom art projects every single day.
2. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
Discovered in 1859 by a chemist who noticed oil rig workers using gunk from machinery to heal cuts, this multipurpose jelly became an instant hit. It moisturizes chapped lips, soothes minor burns, and even helps remove makeup.
Grandmas everywhere swear by it for practically everything. Just saying, it’s been fixing skin problems for over 160 years!
3. Coca-Cola
Invented in 1886 as a pharmacy drink, this fizzy beverage became the world’s most recognized brand. The secret formula remains locked in a vault in Atlanta, Georgia.
Though recipes changed slightly over decades, the classic taste stays remarkably similar. Whether in glass bottles or aluminum cans, that signature flavor never gets old.
4. BAND-AID Brand Adhesive Bandages
Created in 1920 by a Johnson & Johnson employee who wanted to help his accident-prone wife, these little strips revolutionized first aid. Before BAND-AIDs, people wrapped cuts with bulky gauze and tape.
Now they come in fun designs, from superheroes to sparkles. Every medicine cabinet has at least one box tucked away somewhere.
5. Hershey’s Chocolate Bar
Milton Hershey wanted every American to afford chocolate, not just wealthy folks. In 1900, he made that dream reality with his milk chocolate bars.
The factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania still pumps out millions daily. That distinctive taste comes from a unique process involving slightly soured milk, giving it a tangy edge competitors can’t copy.
6. Zippo Lighters
Invented in 1932 during the Great Depression, these windproof lighters cost two dollars back then. The lifetime guarantee meant customers bought once and kept them forever.
Soldiers carried them through World War II, and collectors now treasure vintage models. That satisfying click-and-flick sound is recognized worldwide, even in movies and TV shows.
7. Tabasco Sauce
Edmund McIlhenny created this fiery condiment on Avery Island, Louisiana in 1868 using just three ingredients: peppers, vinegar, and salt. The recipe hasn’t changed one bit since then.
Each bottle still gets aged in oak barrels for three years before hitting shelves. Pizza, eggs, and tacos all taste better with those spicy red drops.
8. Slinky
A naval engineer accidentally knocked a tension spring off his desk in 1943, watching it walk across the floor. That happy accident became one of history’s best-selling toys.
Kids still giggle watching it tumble down staircases. Though plastic versions exist now, the original metal coil remains the favorite for its satisfying sound and movement.
9. WD-40
Rocket scientists developed this formula in 1953 to prevent rust on Atlas missiles. It took 40 attempts to get the Water Displacement formula right, hence the name WD-40.
Squeaky hinges, stuck zippers, and rusty bolts all surrender to this magic spray. People discovered over 2,000 uses for it, from removing crayon marks to loosening stubborn screws.
10. Barbasol Shaving Cream
MIT chemist Frank Shields invented this non-lathering shaving cream in 1919 because he hated waiting for soap to foam up. The formula revolutionized morning routines everywhere.
That distinctive can design barely changed in over 100 years. Movie buffs recognize it from Jurassic Park, where Dennis Nedry used one to smuggle dinosaur embryos!
11. Elmer’s Glue
Introduced in 1947, this white glue became every teacher’s best friend for art projects. The mascot, Elmer the Bull, is actually married to Elsie the Cow from Borden dairy fame.
Kids love peeling dried glue off their hands almost as much as actually using it. Safe, washable, and reliable, it sticks around classrooms worldwide for good reason.
12. Spam
Hormel introduced this canned pork product in 1937, and it became a protein lifesaver during World War II. Soldiers ate it constantly, and it fed entire nations facing food shortages.
Hawaii especially loves Spam, incorporating it into local cuisine like musubi. Over eight billion cans have been sold worldwide, making it a true pantry legend.
13. Old Spice
Launched in 1938 with nautical-themed packaging, this men’s grooming brand defined masculinity for generations. Grandpas, dads, and sons have all splashed it on after shaving.
The scent remains instantly recognizable decades later. Recent viral commercials with Isaiah Mustafa introduced Old Spice to younger audiences, proving old dogs can learn new marketing tricks.
14. Q-tips Cotton Swabs
Leo Gerstenzang invented these in 1923 after watching his wife attach cotton to toothpicks for cleaning their baby’s ears. He created a safer, better version and named them Baby Gays originally.
The name changed to Q-tips, with Q standing for quality. Doctors warn against sticking them in ear canals, but people ignore that advice constantly.
15. Campbell’s Soup
Joseph Campbell started canning soups in 1869, but the condensed version launched in 1897 revolutionized convenience food. Removing water made cans smaller, cheaper, and easier to store.
Andy Warhol made the cans famous in pop art during the 1960s. Grilled cheese and tomato soup remains the ultimate comfort food combo on rainy days.
