About Price Time Machine
This page is all about Price Time Machine, a free daily game about historical prices and the stories behind famous products. How much did the first Barbie cost? Where was the Rubik’s Cube invented? What would a 1960s house cost in today’s money? We turn questions like these into a quick daily quiz you can play in a few minutes.
Why we made it
A price from the past is only half the story. Put it next to what it would cost today and you suddenly see how expensive a 1980s computer really was, or how a 1950s chocolate bar compares with one today. Price Time Machine is built around that “then and now” moment, with a world map so you learn where things came from too.
If you enjoy retro price quizzes, Price Is Right-style guessing games or a good dose of nostalgia, this is for you.
Where our prices come from
Every product is a real question with a real launch price. We research each one from sources from the time, such as original adverts, catalogues, press releases and news reports. Then we check every question by hand before we publish it.
We show prices in US dollars, as the product first sold in the United States. We adjust them for inflation with the US Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. How to play explains how today’s prices and scores are worked out.
Spotted a price or a place that looks wrong? Please tell us and we’ll check it.
What’s in the game
- Gaming & tech: games consoles, home computers, phones and gadgets.
- Toys & childhood: the toys and games generations grew up with.
- Food & drinks: famous snacks, sweets, fast food and drinks.
- Cars & transport: classic cars, motorbikes, bicycles and aircraft.
- Big purchases: houses, appliances and everyday costs.
Every day there’s a new daily challenge with the same 10 questions for everyone, and a leaderboard with daily, weekly and all-time rankings.
More about Price Time Machine: who makes it
Price Time Machine is an independent game made in the UK. We add new questions and new launch price stories every week, such as how much the Apple I cost and what the first Ford Mustang cost.
Get in touch
Questions, ideas for products to add, or found a bug? Send us a message. You can read how we handle your data in our privacy policy.