When U.S. Army Corps bombardier Max Spencer Adler was shot down over Europe and imprisoned by the Nazis during World War II, it’s not likely he dreamed of one day becoming the czar of penis-shaped lollipops and lava lamps.

TBT
How David Letterman and a bunch of teenagers helped kill Coors' clear beer, which recently made its way back onto liquor store shelves.
A magazine writer coined the phrase, which had roots in the 1960s, and Judd Nelson wanted to punch him for it.
1975's 'Trilogy of Terror' featured three Richard Matheson adaptations—one of which, "Amelia," became a permanent fixture of viewers' nightmares.
When the 704-page 'A Game of Thrones' hit shelves on August 1, 1996, it received positive notices and respectable sales, but there was little hint of the hysteria that would follow.
The big red guy replaced Bugs Bunny, who was doing a poor job of getting kids to drink the Kool-Aid.
There was only one way you were ever going to see a shirtless David Letterman in a kayak: ABC's 'Battle of the Network Stars.'
"See Matt Dillon Eat Pizza!"
William Gruber made one of the definitive toys of the 20th century. He also thought Hitler was a pretty solid guy.
John Cusack thought it would make him look like a punk.
A staple of 1990s pop culture, the billowy, harem-style pants have roots in Switzerland sanitariums.
A farting elephant puppet, cost overruns, and complex effects nearly sunk Disney's Michael Jackson attraction.
The series of slightly disturbing ads annoyed some, but paid off for the "Freshmaker" candy company.