This episode takes place in November 1990.
The glove that Trachmann uses to manipulate the Flash is simply a refurbished version of the Nintendo Power Glove, an accessory from 1989 - 1990.
Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday, is mixed together with Santería, a Cuban religion. As neither country is named in the show, the culture depicted may be from one of the DC Universe's many generic Latin American countries such as Santa Prisca, Vendazia, or San Monte.
Marcos Trachmann is broadly based on Jordan Weir, the Puppet Master, a Silver Age villain who first appeared in a Green Lantern story and later fought numerous DC heroes. The character was later renamed Puppeteer to distinguish him from Marvel Comics' similar Puppet Master, an enemy of the Fantastic Four.