To say that a lot has happened in the last 75 years would be an understatement. Not only did the American spaceflight known as Apollo 11 first land humans on the Moon in 1969, but we also met Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: A New Hope when it hit theaters in 1977.

Even though LEGOs were created in 1949, they didn’t become popular in the United States until 1954. And it wasn’t until the 1970s that the Rubik’s Cube captivated children and adults alike with its complicated and confusing formula. Dare we mention that your beloved (and always undefeated) internet was not mainstream until April 30, 1993, when the public received the announcement that the World Wide Web would be available to everyone?

Life as we know it, or shall we say your grandparents knew it, has changed significantly in the past 75 years. We have explored the success of technology and the issues with fast innovation, discovered exotic cars, admired legendary drivers, listened to new sounds, celebrated icons in popular culture, and developed an ambivalent attitude toward social media.

There are numerous historical events that we can reflect on. But today, let’s look at some iconic brands celebrating their 75th anniversary of excellence. With the exponential growth of technology and our ever-changing thoughts on what is or isn’t cool, these brands have stood the test of time and continue to thrive.

Below are three books that capture the greatest moments of some world-renowned brands throughout the decades.

Depending on who you ask and where you live, a scooter is one of the most practical vehicles available. And, of course, you can’t talk about scooters without talking about the iconic Vespa. The Italian style icon revolutionized two-wheelers, and from the day the Vespa rolled out of the factory in 1946, the way people thought of these vehicles was never the same.

The book Vespa 75 Years: The Complete History traces the technical and stylistic evolution of this timeless icon decade by decade, offering a systematic catalog of every model and every version produced by Piaggio. It’s full of fun facts, like this one: Believe it or not, from around 1981 to 2001, Vespa pulled out of the U.S. market.

Ferrari is — in our opinion — the ultimate sports car. From its illustrious status on the race track to its inimitable style, if you are lucky enough to drive past one of these beloved beauties on the street, you’ll see why these are some of the most desired cars in the world. In Ferrari’s words, “The Prancing Horse symbolizes exclusivity, performance, and quality all over the world.”

Simply put, a Ferrari is a work of art. Its beauty, engineering, and legacy are incomparable. And thanks to Ferrari: 75 Years, you can take a thorough journey into the car manufacturer’s history and truly appreciate the masterpiece that is the Ferrari brand.

The book covers everything from Ferrari’s sports car history, which dates back to 1947, to the brand’s racing success and unmatched engineering. It also examines Enzo Ferrari’s early career with Alfa Romeo before he launched his legendary company. Ferrari: 75 Years is the ultimate celebration of all things Ferrari with that Italian flair.

John Lennon, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Kurt Cobain, Eric Johnson, Ernie Isley of the Isley Brothers, Buddy Guy, and none other than Jimi Hendrix are just a few people who have strummed the strings of a Fender guitar — a Fender Stratocaster to be exact. Even if you know little about these famous guitar players, know that Fender guitars and amplifiers are ubiquitous in the music world for their shape and sound.

In the book Fender 75 Years, author Dave Hunter gives readers a detailed history of the infamous brand and an in-depth look at the relationship some of its most famous players have enjoyed with these legendary instruments. This beautiful book not only explores the award-winning Fender Custom Shop and the guitars produced there, but is filled with rare images from company archives. Whether you’re a guitar player or just curious about history, Fender 75 Years is a book worth considering.

Tags Fender 75 Years Ferrari 75 Years Vespa 75 Years: The Complete History