As an ’80s kid, the brands around you seemed like they would be there forever. Now, most of them are gone or not as big as they used to be. It could have been that they’ve become obsolete over the years or that a bigger competitor put them out of business. Regardless of the reason, we’re here today to look at 25 brands that will take you back to a simpler time.
#1: Pan Am
From 1927 to 1991, Pan Am (Short for Pan American World Airways) was a big airline, and it pioneered a lot in the industry. It was the first airline to use jumbo jets. And do you love reserving your flight by computer? You have Pan Am to thank for that, too. So, what happened?
Lots of things. In 1978, the airline industry was deregulated and brought stiffer competition. Ten years later, Flight 103 was blown up in Lockerbie, Scotland, with no survivors. While this tragedy could happen to any airline, it did not help Pan Am’s reputation. The 1991 Gulf War also brought rising fuel prices. It was a series of unfortunate circumstances for the airline, and in 1991, they filed for bankruptcy protection and eventually closed their doors.