Here is the first Big Mac box design from the early 70s. While the sandwich was first released in 1968, it was initially held together by a cardboard collar and wrapped in foil.

1994's Flintstones movie inspired McDonald's to re-brand as ROC DONALD'S. Gotta love the detail work here... over 19 dozen sold!

Forget Hallmark... give them a 1989 Hamburglar card to show you really care

The FUNNY FRY FRIENDS Happy Meal doesn’t seem to get the same nostalgic fanfare as its McNugget Buddies or Changeables counterparts, but it was an incredibly fun line of characters (1989)

Super Size Fries were first introduced as a limited time offering in the summer of 1987 and were immediately a smash-hit. In its first few months, there were two different packaging designs - but the one with orange ribbons was a much rarer/shorter-lived version.

The ice cream machine is down? No problem... you can make yourself a McFlurry out of Play-Doh! (2002)

Here’s the infamous Pepsi “Cool Can” from the summer of 1990 that spells out SEX when you align two cans just right. The bar for scandal in soft drink packaging is a low one, but this is a cool piece nonetheless.

I don't recall ever seeing this balloon light fixture at McDonald's, but I bet it looked ridiculously cool by some Hamburglar and Grimace statues. (1981)

The Burger King Kingdom was BK’s answer to McDonaldland. Most of the characters couldn’t compare, but the WIZARD OF FRIES was definitely something special. (“Calculator,” 1981)

Here's an incredible photo from my archives: a store opening featuring one of the earliest in-store appearances of Captain Crook, while he was still in his brief skull and crossbones era! (1971/72)

Toasted Ravioli - one of the most obscure and potentially delicious McDonald's regional test products (1991)

Is it really an extra value meal if it doesn’t come with an INDIANA JONES VHS TAPE? (1991)

The Ronald McDonald "talking telephone" is a top item on my want list. When you picked up the phone, it played messages from Ronald and other McDonaldland characters. Even in this 1984 catalog, this thing was a whopping $295 and the tapes it used were sold separately.

Ronald McDonald and Grimace "pop-up watches" (1994)

In 1991, Ronald went through a brief “M.C. Donald” phase - you can’t touch this!

Another McDonald's buying trip is in the books! This haul included a drive-thru sign, a blue fry guy carousel piece, a sealed set of 70s McDonaldland dolls, a couple dozen translites, hundreds of pages of reference material and best of all - a 10-FOOT WIDE, HAND-PAINTED MURAL!

Ronald & Shamu - a match made in heaven, immortalized in glass

TONIGHT on History Channel! My final episode of Food That Built America this season... S7E11: Spilling The Tea, airs at 10PM ET!

As you party on the 4th of July, it's important to take a moment to remember that Spuds Mackenzie's vital role in the signing of the Declaration of Independence. (Bud Light calendar, 1990)

There's not much that kids like less than bedtime, but that was the theme of a February 1989 Happy Meal. The initial concept art for the set was Mac Tonight-oriented - including a rare glimpse of Mac in his pajamas!

“I used to be with it, but then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary to me. It'll happen to you!” - Ronald McDonald (probably)

I never realized this iconic 1989 Cherry Coke can design was also used for a McDonald’s souvenir cup! What a beauty!

Birdie The Early Bird was introduced in the early 80s to help promote McDonald’s breakfast. She even got her own Happy Meal-esque “BIRDIE BREAKFAST” meal. Not sure why they picked this particular photo for the promotional image, but they’re the marketing geniuses, not me.

Batman Forever didn’t just inspire those amazing mugs… McDonald’s in Canada got a set of glow in the dark POGS! (1995)

If you were sitting in a high chair at McDonald’s in 1972, the four-armed Evil Grimace would watch you eat. At least they made him look as friendly and non-threatening as possible.

Now that we have fried apple pies back (albeit for a limited time), I think it's time for McDonald's to re-release the Banana Shake! (1976)

The grandfather of Ecto Cooler: Hi-C CITRUS COOLER! (Late 60s/early 70s)

In 1982, McDonald's introduced the Spaceship Happy Meal nationally - a burger and fries were loaded in a plastic ufo with a sticker sheet to decorate the craft. IMO, this is probably the first truly great Happy Meal promo ever.

In 1985, E.T. was re-released in theaters and got the Happy Meal it never received in 1982. Royalties paid by McDonald’s to Spielberg/Universal were donated to the Special Olympics, making every other director/studio look greedy for the rest of time by comparison.

The greatest light fixture to ever grace a McDonald's dining room... (1981)