In those old issues, the ads are just as interesting as the articles and photos. They’re like a time capsule of American culture.

Life was founded in 1936, when “news” was dominated by newspapers and radio. It enjoyed a good run, but television eventually killed it off. It folded in 1972. (Yes, I know they publish special commemorative issues today, but it’s not a weekly newsmagazine any more.)

It was a staple in my house when I was a kid in the 60s. I was crestfallen when it died. I still have almost every issue from about 1965-72, with a number of issues back to 1961. During one of my family’s moves, my parents threw out a lot of back issues, and I kept all the ones I could find relating to space flight.

Once, in the 90s, I went into a used book store and saw an entire wall, from floor to ceiling, of World War II issues. I nearly had a stroke when I saw them. I think my jaw literally hit the floor. I had very little money with me, and the store owner said that they had already been bought by a collector in Japan and were being readied for shipment. If I could have, I would have bought Every. Damn. One. of them.

More recently, a family on my street had a yard sale, and I bought six or seven issues from 1937 and 1938. (That’s all they had.) One, from 1938, had a photo essay about European Jewish culture. Poignant, to say the least.

Google Books has scanned every page from every issue and put them online: LIFE

2. This chap went mountain climbing in Alaska–and encountered legendary mountaineer Fred Becky, still climbing at 87.

3. Some eminent scientists continue to do research well into old age. I used to wonder why such hypercompetitive individuals persisted after they were well past their prime. I finally realized that they were demonstrating by example that the essence of their calling is distinct from ego gratification and material rewards.