Robert B. Thompson, author of Come Home When the Streetlights Go On Robert B. Thompson, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, got the idea for his first book from a yard sign. He could not decide on a subject until he saw a yard sign that read, "I miss the America I grew up in." That's it! Growing up in the 1950s! Every decade has a story to tell and the 1950s have a more distinctive story than most. Robert has many fond memories and shares his insights on what made the 1950s so memorable.