Sure, it’s true that today’s ads objectify women and have serious problems with them, but would you believe that ads were even worse just 5 decades ago? We wonder how they even managed to that run these ads, and were never sued in court!
While many of these ads were misogynistic, some were also racist, relied on pseudoscience or just flat out lied! Generation Z would be shocked that these ads even made the light of day, and now, they’ve been immortalized.
Here, we bring to you some of the oddest, most offensive vintage ads, that just would never fly today…
Cola All the Way
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And we begin with a fun fact brought to us by Cola makers everywhere, that if you start drinking cola from a young age, you get a better start in life! No disgusting spinach, broccoli or Brussels sprouts for the little kiddos.
Can you imagine when moms everywhere saw this ad and decided it was okay to let their babies drink the sugary, caffeinated drink from an early age! Well, at least the diet variant of the sodas was not out then, so less chemicals, then?
All Wrapped Up
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All good things come in small packages, eh? Like a diamond engagement ring, the keys to your new automobile or even a baby! But can you imagine someone in this old ad agency thought it would be a great idea to wrap babies in cellophane!
You know, the plastic cellophane used to wrap food, produce, and a myriad of other things, is so sturdy and durable, that the stork prefers the Du Pont brand to carry the bundles of joy. And just to set the records straight, no, you should not wrap babies in cellophane!
Listen to Your Doctor
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Trust Camel to give a whole new spin to the term “pro-choice” when it comes to choosing your brand of cigarettes. Guess what, the doctors of today are still treating the people’s health problems who listened to the doctors of the 50s and 60s!
Deceptive advertising is the worst in this case, given how much we trust doctors and their advice, and if they’re smoking it, and recommending it then we must do it too! Now ALL doctors advise against smoking and taking any form of tobacco.
Fun, but Useless?
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What we won’t do for that perfect blow-dried mane, that looks shiny and healthy even from a distance. But in a bid to sell hair dryers, and more of them, the people behind this brilliant ad tried selling the dryer to people who have no hair — just to have fun with!
The Flip 'N Style hairdryer, they claim, is no much fun that you would want to own it even if you don’t have any use for it! But won’t that burn the scalp of people who have no hair? Oh, never mind, beauty is pain, they say!
Wife = Free Cook!
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In the 1950s, Kenwood ran an ad which is just all kinds of wrong! If you are a wife, then according to this ad, your place is in the kitchen. Their product “The Chef” stand mixer reminds us that it will do all the prep, but you still need a wife to cook your meal!
The idea is really novel, why not have a machine in the kitchen that makes cooking and baking a lot more easier, but why go down the misogynistic route and make it all about the woman cooking? Come on people, be better!
Age Old Remedy
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Why bother going to a doctor and spending money on expensive medicines, when one can treat cough, asthma, shortness of breath and bronchitis by just picking up and smoking a pack of cigarettes instead!
Research says that cigarettes and smoking tobacco actually cause and aggravate these health issues, and here, this ad so confidently states that you get “immediate relief!” The audacity to just say anything in print without concrete proof, needs a lot of guts, we must say.
Who Runs the World?
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Van Hausen signed off on this gem of an advertisement, which proudly proclaims that a woman needs to be shown that it’s a “man’s world.” You only need to look around to know who runs the world, so maybe don’t rub it in!
The woman in the illustration looks very happy to serve her husband a lovely breakfast in bed, even kneeling in front of him like he’s some king and she is his servant. This really wouldn’t make the cut these days.
Baby’s Day In
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This manipulative cigarette advertisement from Marlboro is just terrible. It uses the adorableness of a child to get you to buy cigarettes. You cannot see advertisements about tobacco products in many countries these days, and certainly can’t use kids to market it!
Second hand smoke is a terrible side effect of living with a smoker, and the kid here is urging his or her mom to smoke Marlboro, which puts the baby in harm’s way! Moms these days would know better, we hope!
Ignore All that Research!
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Books, research reports, reading? Why waste time over it, when you can absorb all that knowledge by just watching television - so easy and simple, eh? Of course, television programs can be educational and impart knowledge, but how many of us use it that way?
The sports networks, movie channels and shows take the cake when it comes to what we watch TV for, and all of it is not even suitable for kids, isn’t it? Motorola thinks otherwise, as they really want to press that television is good for your kids!
There Goes the Sun
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Everyone needs their daily dose of vitamin D and the most inexpensive way of getting it is just being out in the sun, since it’s free! That’s why many cultures around the world sun bathe their little kids, to ensure that they grow up healthy and strong.
But the Du Pont Company has outsourced that job to a lamp they manufacture, in the hopes that gullible people would buy it. Of course, the product never worked, because the most a sunlamp could do was tan your baby, and do nothing else!
Domesticated, Completely
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If we were this lady whose image was used for this ad, we would be so angry with the ad agency which decided to treat her like a doormat — literally! Besides cooking, cleaning, taking care of the house and kids, women also make amazing foot rests.
What’s worse is that they superimposed the head on a dead animal’s skin, calling her a “lady tiger! We will give you three chances to guess which product they are endorsing, and you would never guess it’s for the slacks the man is wearing!
Work Hard, Cute Harder
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We are throwing our hands up at this ad. Someone please let us know what the connection between looking cute and working harder at home, is! We would understand if the brand being endorsed is a makeup or skincare brand, but cleaning!?
What is worse is that this ad is blatantly misogynistic. Everyone craves for equality now, and cleaning, cooking and “working” at home is not just a woman’s job, any more. So now, everyone can look cute while doing their share of the housework!
No Way a Woman Can Really Open It!
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Oh that pesky ketchup bottle! While today’s problem with ketchup is only limited to it splattering everywhere and ruining our clothes, in the ‘50s, it was that women could not open the bottles! Like this Alcoa Aluminum bottle cap ad from 1953 tells us.
If her man was at work and she needed ketchup, how would this helpless lady ever use it! But thanks to those considerate people who invented twist-off caps, she is self-dependent. Offensive? You bet, it is!
At Least the Beer Didn't Burn
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Here’s another rather condescending advertisement, just to remind us that a woman’s job is being in the kitchen and cooking. The company at least thought about making it a sweet moment, where the man does not scream at his wife for burning his dinner.
The message is lost on us today, though, as women has accomplished more than just mastering kitchen skills. So while the husband is super supportive and says that there’s at least beer, he should actually be calling takeout instead!
Stop Being Sad!
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Depression is a terrible thing to deal with, and needs treatment from a therapist and even medication, in some cases. And wow, is it expensive to deal with! But back in the day, depression only needed you to open a bottle of tonic wine.
That’s right people, Phosferine Tonic Wine not only tastes amazing, but it also is strong enough to calm your nerves and cure your depression. So then there is proof, and scientific research that proves this claim? You bet there isn’t!
What are We Supposed to Look at Here?
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Projection – but it’s not what you first think, looking at this ad, which is meant to be advertising projection equipment for the company Bell & Howell. However, they’re doing a fine job of projecting something else, but don’t make us spell it out!
A glaring example of objectifying women and their bodies for marketing and advertisements is seen here, and it’s only gotten worse these days. We’re sure a lot of men lined up to buy these projectors when this ad dropped, but was it really ethical?
The Brew Better Be Worth It
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The audacity of the woman of the house to go grocery shopping, and bring home some generic, and “stale” coffee brew — shocking! And what punishment does such a crime so grave deserve? The man of the house gets to spank the lady!
First of all, this is a case of domestic violence, and secondly, how does it matter what brand she bought, he can go buy the "correct" kind yourself! God forbid a woman is not able to satisfy her husband’s coffee cravings each morning.
The Romance Killer
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What does this strange affliction — dishpan hands, mean? Oh, just that the hard soap from washing dishes that makes your hands dry and hard. And now who would want those disgusting hands on them, right?
Lux dish soap was marketed to a niche audience of women who wanted to avoid ‘dishpan hands’ for the sake of their husbands, and their romance. Thank god for dishwashers now, as people’s marriages are certainly saved.
Shape Up
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How disrespectful of women’s bodies is this ad, really! Here, they tell us that having a pear shaped body, is not a desirable attribute of any woman, and went on to detail, that they meant “too much bottom” and “too little top.”
That’s a great big grave to dig yourself out of, isn’t it? So, buy the Warner girdle and bra to become the opposite. But now, being curvy is all the rage! Surprisingly, a Gym used the same idea to sell memberships recently, and got a lot of online hate for it!
Check Your Hair Before Any Interview
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Not only does this ad offend women, it also is super ageist, no? When we talk about working women at their workplace, it’s often seen that people pay too much emphasis on their looks and appearances, instead of their capabilities and talent.
While the standards for men are very different, women have to constantly prove themselves worthy, and keep looking their best. So instead of an expensive color job at a salon, the makers of Wyeth’s Sage and Sulphur said that the only way back then to keep your job was using their product!
Youth is Pain
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Even Hannibal Lecter would look at this contraption and think that it’s too much! But someone probably bought this thing after looking at these ads and decided that they needed it to reduce their double chin and look younger.
It’s a good way to sell things to impressionable young women - make them insecure of their “flaws” and then make them buy your product which will claim to help, even if it does not. So what does fix a double chin for good? Exercise and diet, probably!
Expect the Unexpected
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How can we even begin taking this seriously! It’s an advertisement urging expecting mothers to smoke more, and buy Nico Time cigarettes. We don’t even need to tell you how bad it for women to smoke when they’re pregnant.
This is an utterly disturbing ad but back in the day, tobacco corporations actually paid researchers to show through their reports that there were no harmful effects of tobacco, just to that they keep selling their products, which were science-backed!
2-in-1
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Lysol, the trusty disinfecting and cleaning supplies company that millions of households use globally to keep themselves safe and healthy, was once marketed and sold to women in America, as a feminine hygiene product and boy, are we surprised!
The harsh chemicals keep our floor clean, but something much more skin-friendly could have been invented for women! And if that was not bad enough, the ads of this product was equally horrifying! Aren’t you glad we live in better times, now?
Things that Aged like Old Milk
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In need for ways to stay in your man’s mind all day long, even when he’s at work, ie. be a “Mindsticker?” Then you need to start buying and drinking Tab soda. You don’t need a good physique, or sharp wit or a good sense of humor to be memorable, any more.
And why must your man only think about you all day? Well, to pop the big question, isn’t it? And after you get married to him, you will have to keep buying Tab soda all your life to stay on his mind, or else, someone else may take your place. How ridiculous!
Oh, Poor Elenore
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Remember the popular romcom movie 27 Dresses, where actress Katherine Heigl was always invited to be the bridesmaid, but did not get married herself. We think they got inspiration from this old ad from the 1920s!
This was an ad for Listerine Antiseptic mouthwash, trying to say that Elenore had bad breath and hence, no man wanted her. In a bid to sell their product, they even coined the term for the first time, which really caught on; “Often the bridesmaid, but never a bride.”
Ol' MacDonald Had Poisonous Substances
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What a cute little illustration this makes for - a happy depiction of a happy farm. That is until you read what they’re singing, that DDT, a known poisonous substance, is good for pets, animals, livestock and crops! That’s a big nope!
DDT was used in the 40s and 50s as an insecticide and pesticide, particularly in farms, and various “scientific studies” deemed it safe to be used on crops. However, the more people learnt about this poisonous chemical, the less it is being used now.
Racist Soap
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Here’s a gem from Lautz Bro’s and Co’s Stearine Soap brand, from Buffalo, New York, that truly belongs in the museum of “very bad advertisement decisions.” We don’t need to tell you that factually, you cannot scrub someone’s skin color off!
And what this company means to imply is that any person of color, who is not white, is just really dirty, and can be made white again by using soap and a scrubber. So how do we solve the issue of racism in this world, simple, just wash yourself and become white!
Spread 'em All You Want
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Double entendre is a phrase that may have two interpretations and it is a common advertising trick used to grab people’s attention. And the first meaning that comes to mind is always something dirty! Like in this Pontiac Star Chief car.
Why yes, anybody sitting in this car can spread their legs now, as the car claims to offer maximum leg room space. It was perfect for a drive-in movie, long road trips, school runs and extracurricular activities, if you get the advertisers’ drift!
It’s What the Doctor Prescribed!
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We did not make this one up, as back in the day, doctors actually prescribed cocaine to kids and adults alike in various forms to numb pain! And for just 15 cents, you could buy Lloyd Cocaine Toothache Drops and help your children with their teething pains!
It’s hard to imagine today, but until 1914, cocaine was sold casually, over the counter and could be found in many medical products such as dandruff remedies, medicinal tonics and of course, toothache drops. And god help you if you got addicted to it!
No Excuses to Not Cook
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This Mornidine advertisement is very old school, in that it emphasizes that a woman needs to get back in the kitchen ASAP. Back in the 50s, Mornidine, which was sold as a cure for morning sickness for pregnant women, actually had terrible side effects.
So while the company claims that their medicine is so effective, that it stops morning sickness altogether so that he can cook the family breakfast again, it fails to mention the terrible birth defects and infant deaths it caused globally! But no, breakfast takes priority.
Appealing, Very Differently
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Anything to catch people’s attention with the headline, eh? Here’s a pretty looking lady proclaiming that she is shameless, because she uses her delicious cake to hold men’s attention! Or so the people at WearEver utensils will have you believe.
The lady uses her WearEver aluminum cake tins to bake her way to get a diamond engagement ring, bake her own wedding cake and even went on to bake their child a cake — one cake pan and so many uses!
Driving Made Easy
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The age old stereotype that women make for terrible drivers, has been done to death now. But this is what the new Mini Automatic portrayed yet again when their new car launched, and they used a very blonde Hollywood actress, Goldie Hawn to sell their car.
Only, it was very insulting to suggest that she, or any other woman NEEDS to buy an automatic car, because a stick shift is too complicated for them to handle. Any gender would find an automatic car easier to drive, where is the doubt about that!
What a Kiss
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Women, just a couple of decades ago, were given all types of advice on how to please their man. But if you asked the good men in the marketing industry, then they would say that you only needed one thing: The King of Beer, Budweiser!
So if you want to be treated like the queen that you are, and want to get a kiss that you’ll remember all your life, then stock up on Budweiser, especially when the boys are coming over to watch a game or when your man returns home after a work trip.
Hammy Men
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Obviously, back in the god old days, men never packed their own picnic baskets, as it was the woman’s job. And then Underwood Deviled Ham says that if she wants to “catch” herself a man, then she must use their product and the guys will be swarming around them.
Ham may attract dogs and animals at most, but a man seems a little too much! But not to be outsmarted, this particular brand even used to manufacture ready-to-assemble sandwich sets, which did help women in the kitchen, when they didn’t feel like cooking!
A Lipstick is more Expensive than a Car?
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A woman behind the wheel of a Mustang sounds amazing, no? And when driving, one of the most important things on her mind is whether the lipstick she is wearing matches her Mustang. Well, that’s the sales pitch that Tussy Cosmetics is going for.
The brand was once one of the favorites of women in America, and the ad may have appealed to women at some point of time, but this would not fly today. The car came in three glamorous colors, including baby pink, so that’s just three shades on lipstick in this range!
Anything to Save the Expensive Manicure!
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Aw, how cute this ad must have been when it ran in the 70s. And finally, someone acknowledges the difficulty and challenge that a woman faces when cleaning the stove – 14 broken fingernails! So if you want a happy wife, get her a self-cleaning oven.
Not only will it keep the peace in your household, you will never have to hear how her expensive manicure was all wasted on cleaning that darn cooking range. And the slogan takes the cake, “Designed for you, buy built for your husband!”
Christmas Gifting Made Simple
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What would you gift a lady of the house for Christmas in the 50s and 60s? Why of course, something that is practical and makes her life easier. And because taking care of the house and cleaning it is a woman’s responsibility, why not buy her a vacuum cleaner?
A Hoover, to be precise, because nothing but the best would do for her. Funny how the best intentioned gifts also show how we perceive women. While the men of the house got gifted things they would need at work, women got things to keep their houses clean.
If You Can’t Wear the Pants, Buy Them for Him
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Everyone is familiar with the saying that the man wears the pants in the house, because by default, he brings home the bacon. So when Lee decided to advertise their newest collection of denims in 1947, they decided to take the misogynistic route.
Back then, it was the woman’s duty to buy the pants for her man, even though Lee admits that women don’t wear their pants! She also, obviously, did the laundry, iron his clothes and make sure he is always updated with whatever is most fashionable, denim-wise.
Keeping Up Appearances
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It is very important to keep up one’s appearances, or at least that’s what this vintage Lux ad will have us believe. It doesn’t matter in you are at a party, at work, or even at home, if you’re a woman, then you have to look your best.
So while a snagged stocking may look like a fashion statement now, with the whole grunge look, back in the day it was a matter of shame for any prim and proper lady! And if you kept your stockings perfect, then your husband would admire you, too!
The Dread of “Morning Mouth”
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Ladies, ladies, ladies! How can you ever keep a man by your side if you have this terrible affliction called “morning mouth!” Clearly, it is only an issue that women face, not kids and men, because Chlorodent only wants to target impressionable women.
There are so many ways to lose a man, but very few ways to keep them, and by having fresh breath all the time, you get to enjoy their company and feel beautiful. Don’t be afraid to open your mouth in company and give your guy a long kiss to prove Chlorodent’s effectiveness!
An Advertisement Only Kids Would Approve
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If we didn’t know any better, then we would be eating candy all day, every day. It’s an addiction we catch as kids, and it just keeps on going. Besides being terrible for one’s teeth, all the sugar is really bad for one’s health.
What is it with vintage ads trying to harp on the benefits of things that are clearly bad for us. Sure, the candy would give the kids a huge sugar rush and energy, but it is empty calories. Any mom would disapprove of this ad, as it says to enjoy candy every day!
A Woman’s Best Friend is an Old Colonel
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This first line cracks us up, as it claims KFC is every woman’s best friend as the working woman can pick up dinner from their restaurant on the way home and feed their family without exhausting themselves. Which is great!
The brand uses the sense of family, familiarity and comfort food to make their products more appealing to everyone, thereby drumming up great business for themselves. So by outsourcing cooking to them, they don’t just become lifesavers, but “wife”savers!
Stereotype That Just Don’t Die
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Just the start of this particular Hardee’s ad has us rolling our eyes! “a women’s place is in the home, cooking a man a delicious meal.” Just wow! Hardee’s, in the 1940s, said that even if you happened to be a bachelor, then they have your back.
Come on down to Hardee’s if you don’t have a woman in your life to cook for you, is what the ad says. Why can’t the man just use his own hands to cook his meals? Because that’s a woman’s job or just Hardees? Grow up people!
Why are Women so Difficult to Convince
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Every good salesman has a great opening line which shows off his convincing skills. So something as eye catching as “killing a woman” would create quite a few ripples, in all kinds of wrong ways, until they put a funny twist to it.
The story with this ad goes that this salesman is just so frustrated that he cannot convince the lady with whatever he says. But really, he would rather just kill her, if it was legal? How frustrated can one get! May be this sales person should consider taking up another job!
Glamour, Everywhere
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Glamorous and stunning fashion models have graced the walls of many folks back in the day, and find their place on many walls even now. These Pinup girls were the in thing in the 1930s and 40s, and were also used in garages, and other workplaces.
However, we are not sure what product or message is being sold by the ad we see here, and it seems like they originate from Russia. They were issued by local governmental party representatives and yet, it fetishizes women to sell propaganda.
Bait and Bake
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Pyrex is a huge brand of cookware which is known globally, and it’s popularity has led to great profits for the company. And they used the concept to marriage to drive home the point that once you catch a man with your cooking…
… you keep cooking right after your wedding to keep your marriage successful. So even if a couple is incompatible, and the marriage is doomed to fail, the woman can definitely salvage the situation by just going to the kitchen and cooking something delicious.
Everything Wrong with the Name
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Every successful ad campaign would grab everyone’s attention and try to solve a problem they’re having, which would be solved if people just buy their product. We know how difficult it is to find plus size clothes, but calling people chubby will get you slayed!
The word “chubbies” is considered derogatory today and there are more appropriate ways of describing women and men who are plus sized. Today, we know the body positivity movement would have lambasted this ad!
Dainty Little Things
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For years now, advertising agencies have sold their wares and made money from pointing out the differences between men and women and addressing their needs, which may be different. But Parker, the pen company, released a new product, just for the ladies.
Please show us one woman who has complained that a regular pen is too big for their hands? Why was there a need for a girl-size pen, when men and women with both large and small hands can use a pen just fine. Good that this product does not exist today.
First Insult Them, Then Sell Them Things
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Advertisers in the 1930s until the 50s tried to target their ads towards woman, as they were shopping for their households. Their messages were crisp and straightforward, and often times bordering on being rude, as if to bully them into buying their products.
Like this Odo.Ro.No deodorant ad which details how even beautiful women are dumb when they do not know that the cardinal rule of being charming is using deodorant. Who would have known that using this product makes you instantly charming!
A Drink to Make You Smart
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Coca-Cola is a long standing brand whose ad campaigns have evolved a lot over the years, and they’ve always kept up with the time. They also keep introducing new products in the market to keep their customers hooked, but the original remains a favorite.
We wonder why the cola company felt that back in the 1890s, they needed to advertise their drink as a brain tonic, which was powerful enough to cure headaches, and even mental and physical exhaustion! And the lady in the illustration is drinking it like tea!
Fat Cutting Soap
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False claims and advertising went hand in hand for a really long time. And as you know, it still happens today, even though it is not blatantly done any more. Many fall pray to such fake tactics and spend their money to products that do not help them at all.
Like the people back in the 30s, when they were sold the idea that using a soup, specifically made for the obese, would help them become less fat and “reduce” flesh (hint: there’s no soap that can do this!) and their tagline “fat is folly?” is just a lawsuit waiting to happen!
Intentionally Creepy
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Macleans White Fluoride toothpaste, somehow thought it was a great idea to feature a child and much older “dentist” in their advertisement, but make it much, much creepier than it needed to be. It’s as if the man is just waiting for her to grow up…
… and in all probability will hit on her, when she is his dentist. There are a hundred different ways to show that your toothpaste is a good product, and could have even featured kids in it, but making it creepy, with the dentist in the back leering at you, is just a big no-no!
Never Go Back in Time
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Nostalgia is a great thing, thinking about things that were and used to be. But maybe not going back to vintage recipes is a good idea. These recipes really do deserve to be left behind in the past, especially these “delectable ones!”
Campbells is an iconic brand of canned soups, made even more famous by the iconic Campbells Soup painting by Andy Warhol. But why not use their tomato soup to make a pizza and their mushroom soup for tuna and waffles!
Catch ‘Em Young
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There are plenty of vintage posters and advertisements from the military from all over the world, especially during the second World War. The point was to entice the young people to join them and defend the country. And for the most part they were very convincing.
Women, however, were never the targeted audience for these ads, as they could not enlist back then. And the ad even asks the men to “be a man” and enlist. These days, both women and men serve their country in the military and these ads remind us how far we have come.
Have You Started Shaving Yet?
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What a confusing world the world of advertising is! It’s as if they really didn’t think things through when they printed their famous ad campaigns. Gillette is a very big global brand and has been around for many decades now.
Their razors and shaving equipment is the best in the world, but why they would ask babies to start shaving early on in their life, we would never understand. We all know how dangerous razors are near kids, and this is certainly not mom-approved.
Men are Better than Women. Simple.
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Besides the fact that plenty of the vintage ads we have seen are very on-the-nose and are rather insulting in a subtle manner, this 1959 ad just tops them all. Not being subtle at all, they just outrightly say that women are only good for the indoors!
And that men are better than women when it comes to the outdoors, so they really need Drummond sweaters when they’re outdoors. And they’re not even afraid of going the double entrendre way, and men “getting it,” in another campaign.
All She Ever Wanted
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Jean, Jean, Jean! We don’t know who she is, but is she’s pregnant then we imagine that’s all she is worried about, and not what new cleaning appliances her well-meaning husband bought for her! The husband should only care about keeping his wife comfy.
And why not do his own home’s chores himself? Instead of spending upwards of $200 on new appliances that the wife probably did not even need! Laundry is no longer a gender-specific job, and so are all of the usual domestic duties, so get to work.
Sensitive Men
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What a perfect picture this looks like! A holiday, lovely shade to sit under and a picnic that’s going really well. We’re sure it was all due to the efforts of the lady, who took the pains to organize this appetizing picnic and all that her husband can think of…
… is her outfit! The audacity of the lady to be afflicted by “gap.osis” because she did not use a fastener with her skirt, puts her man off! Maybe the man should just concentrate on his sandwich instead of being so judgmental.
Stinky Hair Syndrome
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What is it about ads always insulting women! A simple thing as shampoo has to be sold to them by educating them on the simple uses of shampoo, such as getting rid of odors from one's hair. As if men don’t get stinky hair! Hey, no fair!
Packer’s shampoo, which contained medicated pine tar, promised to get rid of any unpleasant odors from the hair, and stop any man from giving their woman the stink eye! This ad tried so hard to convince the ladies that you really need this product.
This Chocolate Tastes Fishy!
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We don’t know if we should laugh at this ad or be sad that people and their kids tried eating this laxative disguised as a chocolate. Imagine if someone actually thought it was chocolate and consumed more than they should have!
The ad claims that it is gentle, safe, effective and reliable, but may be there is a reason chocolate flavored laxatives do not exist in the market any more. This product made just for kids, has much better alternatives in the modern world today.
What the Fudge!
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Vintage recipes were very odd, you have to admit it. So when we saw this ad for Kraft’s Potato Fudge, we completely believed it. Two words nobody should ever have to listen to together, are potato and fudge, and yet, this product exists.
Or does it? Turns out that potato fudge was a totally fake product which was never manufactured by Kraft Foods, and instead was photoshopped onto a Krafts Cheez Whiz ad which was made a long time ago. They had us fooled!
Mom in the Sky
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In 1968, American Airlines tried a new way of trying to market themselves by wanting to make their passengers believe that air hostesses were actually like their mom. And now, this may come as a shock to many, because that is not what the airlines industry was doing previously.
Air hostesses were seen as your “girlfriend in the sky” and it was very often that they got hit upon by the fliers. So may be this “mom” approach of getting you whatever you wanted, was a safe bet. Now, if you need a drink, a pillow, or blanket, just ask your sky mom!
A Harmless Harness
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We really have come a long way in in-car safety for all the people who use cars, whether it be the driver, passengers, babies and even pets! But in 1965, seatbelts were already a thing, but still, for a toddler, a seatbelt is pretty much useless, as they get out of them easily.
The toddler safety seatbelt was not really that safe, and rather was like a pet harness for your child to keep them in the back seat, and not really protect them if there was a serious accident. And the “seatbelt that puts itself on” that was attached to the door, just didn’t work!
Racist Much?
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It really is cliché to say that “times have changed” because they really have, because this ad would definitely never see the light of day. And we would expect that a family friendly brand such as Jell-O would never go that way, right?
Well, believe it or not, we have evidence of many instances where Jell-O dropped the ball. Besides this particular ad where “mammy” sends over their madam some jelly, there’s another one where a stereotyped Chinese baby eats Jell-O with chopsticks!
The Younger, the Better
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Yet another soda brand from back in the day wanted kids to drink their carbonated and sugar laden drinks. Nobody in their right mind would willingly allow their new born kids and toddlers to drink up and love it.
Of course kids would love the taste of any sugary sodas, given how sweet they are and they keep coming back for more. That is precisely why parents keep these drinks away from their kids. Another helpful trip, dilute it for the kids.
Becoming Civilized
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Van Heusen makes amazing shirts and their styles sell like hot cakes. There is an ad here to offend women, as they have to “carry” their master in his new jungle shirt, while they’re themselves scantily dressed in animal skin prints.
Well, the first one may be even more insulting, as they pick on indigenous populations. He seems to be the only person who does not wear a shirt, and hence, won’t recommend a Van Heusen. Yikes, that was bad.
If You Can’t Join ‘Em, then Guilt ‘Eem
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A little known fact is that between 1914 and 1919, during World War I, Canada incorporated a private fund raising organization called the Canadian patriotic Fund to help soldiers’ families financially and socially.
So how does one persuade people to open their old timey purses and donate generously to this war fund? Guilt them into doing it! So if Indians were doing it, and others were making so many sacrifices for freedom, then sparing some change is nothing.
Joyfully Gay
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After looking at these vintage posters, there would be no doubt in our minds that the word “gay” meant something completely different. Today, it is used to denote same-gendered couples, but the actual word is the dictionary means something different.
Being gay means being happy, so obviously, lots of old ads would use it to portray a happy and cheerful scene and throw the word around a lot. So if you see this word popping up, then don’t be surprised.
Wife Comes First
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Why is that all these old vintage cars relied on advertising that put women down, as if their cars were just made for men. Volkswagen, the huge international Germany-based car company, didn’t stray away from this idea other.
The one of the left states that a Volkswagen is very safe, and this may be the only reason to get a car for your wife. The other one features the classic VW Transporter van which asks men that if they had the right wife, then they would approve of you buying this bulky van.
This Tonic Does What?
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There’s something about a cherub baby that everybody just loves. When women are pregnant they’re given tips and tricks about how to birth plump and cherub babies, who are considered healthy and adorable. But of course, all babies are not born that way.
We are all aware of over-the-counter tonics that are available for women, girls and children that claim to make them help gain weight, and it has worked for many. But do you really want your babies to be fat like pigs, because the visual is just horrifying!
Oddball
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Sometimes after offending people left and right, it’s refreshing to see this clothing brand decided to go the funny, goofy way to catch people’s attention. Their first ad is just a giant list to things to do to avoid marriage, including hitting on the girl’s mother!
And after we were done reading that entire list, we move on to this gem of an ad that claims that do you can do anything in a suit, and so you never need to take it off. So if you’re cooking a meal, making a presentation or doing yoga, suit up!
They Got Santa!
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What comes to you mind when we mention Santa Claus? The same image of the bearded man in red and white, who is loved by many children and even adults the world over, comes to mind, no? Now take that image and add a cigarette to it.
That’s what Lucky Strike decided to go with to sell their cancer-causing sticks with this ad campaign. Their Santa even claimed that this particular brand was easier on his throat than any other. Is it true? Well, if you pay Santa enough, he will say whatever you want.
Both Mom and Baby Kept Happy
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Blatz Beer claims a lot of things in their ads. They realize that being a young mom is a stressful job and she may often need a pick-me-up from being with the little tot all day long. And their advice includes keeping a case of Blatz Beer on standby.
And that’s not all, it’s not just the picked up mom who remains happy, but the breastfeeding baby, too, as the “nourishment’ from the malt beer would reach the baby, too! All moms know that you cannot have anything alcoholic when you’re breastfeeding, so what’s this then!
Branded Wrong
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Whenever a brand comes up with a new product, they spend a lot of time to coin a name which will not just describe the product they wish to sell, but also ring a familiar bell with the buyers who goes shopping for it.
So why would Levi’s Jeans name their new womenswear line’s pants “Bend Over,” is beyond us! Sure, they were referring to how stretchy and comfortable they are, so that the women can even bend over in it, but it only needs a dirty mind to put a spin on things!
Trix the Kids
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Much, much before advertisers decided to go with the catchy phrase “Silly rabbit, tricks are for kids”, Trix, the “sugar cereal” company ran an huge ad campaign that failed miserably at being catchy, and instead gave us something so wrong.
Trix wanted to say that the kids would love their cereal so much, that it would become a stable breakfast, like a habit! But calling it “habit-forming” makes us think of something else and definitely not breakfast cereal!
Better Advice Needed
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This ad makes us think that the world of cars has evolved so much now! The exhaust of any vehicle is what people tend to stay away from, given the soot-ridden emissions that come out of it. But with the old timey cars, even the exhaust had an unusual function.
We 100% advice you to never try this, and have no clue if this tip actually worked. As the ad goes, the idling engine causes the engine to create a vacuum, which could be put to use with a long hose, to clean the insides of the car!
Acne Kills (Relationships)
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Oh these silly advertisers! They try to tell women that any issue with their skin, complexion and looks will always have grave consequences. So while bad breath will drive suitors away, so will acne and breakouts.
We have never heard of any skin issues ruining and ending any lady’s relationship, as it’s such a common issue, even after the teens and both men and women get it! Just visit a dermatologist and date better men, we think!
Wonder What Went Wrong
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Who is Stevie Wonder? Oh, he's only a famous American singer-songwriter who gave us hits like “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and “Isn’t She Lovely.” Another thing you need to know about him is that he is blind.
Atari is an old school gaming console which obviously, visually impaired people cannot fully use. Who in their right mind thought that using a blind celebrity, making light of his own impairment, would be a great idea to sell a video game console!
Cheat Away
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Working out is tough and sticking to a schedule with discipline is even more difficult. Why else does every gym in the world have motivational quotes to keep you going? So unless you have a mind of steel, going back to the gym, day after day is a tough task.
Reebok now steps in, and as a sportswear company, decided to make an ad campaign to motivate their customers to not cheat on their gym routines and workouts. But they thoroughly missed the mark here!
Virginia Slims
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So we have seen the vintage ad for pens made specially for women’s dainty hands, because they can’t use a man’s pen, but they even made slim cigarettes for women now, because a man’s “fat cigarettes” are so unappealing.
Virginia Slims cigarettes makes their ads very fashionable and the one with the lady in the sports shorts is just dripping with irony. Any serious athlete or sportsperson would know not to smoke, as smokers cough and a reduced lung capacity removes all the fun from the game.
Vitamin Donuts
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These days, parents are very cautious about what their kids eat and follow strict nutritional guidelines for their children. But, as we can make out in this ad, the way children consumed vitamins were slack back then.
Donuts are full of sugar and are fried, while Ovaltine is also a very sugary drink. Kids will probably pep up a lot after eating and drinking sugary things, and as for the vitamins, a supplement or just having fresh fruits and veggies would be better.
Ways to Please A Lady
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Boy-oh-boy! Women in the 1950’s were truly in love with cooking, cleaning and the upkeep of their house. And of course, with the coming of electrical appliances, the work just got that easy. And the ad world really encouraged men to buy them some.
So besides the dresses, flowers, cigarettes and jewelry that men were encourage to buy their wives, electrical applies such as toasters, irons, cookware and stoves found a lot of favor. But for Christmas, this gift seems very impersonal, by today’s standards.
So Gentle
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Three things that just gel together are women, babies and... cigarettes. After many decades of advertising solely to just half of the population: men, big tobacco decided to go after women, and they went in hard.
But women were advised to stop smoking when they were pregnant, so they made up research reports to refute everything for a long time, and kept advertising to pregnant and nursing women. Thank God, we are better informed in the modern times.
The Wrong Action Zone!
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This is a proud, old-timey ad for Shempley’s Department Store, which, at first, had us very confused. The image here was obviously meant to raise eyebrows, catch people’s attention and make them read the rest of the ad to find out.
The action zone they’re referring to here is the front of the pants, which probably stretches the most when a man sits, stands, walks and runs. But one look at the image and our dirty brains kick in, and we think of a different “action zone!”
Too Red to Kiss
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Imagine your biggest problem was that a man wouldn’t kiss you because he found your lipstick to be “too red” and “smeary.” First of all, kissing someone would smear their lipstick, and secondly, what in the world is "too" red?
The pitch being sold to such ladies was Tangee lipstick, which claimed to be “orange in the stick, but blush rose on the lips,” which sounds like magic. But why did all lipsticks have to be advertised around the idea of “kissing?”
Well, Should You?
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Alcohol and cigarette companies played a very dirty game back in the day. They would post such ads which casually stated that doctors were fine with pregnant women drinking and smoking, and that is terrifying, as it leads to birth defects!
Seagram, the alcohol brand which is still around and very much alive, tried to appeal to a pregnant demographic, and tried to say that a bit of alcohol is just about fine, BUT consult your doctor first. What a dirty game!
Betty Crocker’s Secrets
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And the unlikely award for one of the most offensive ad for something sweet goes to this infamous Betty Crocker advertisement back from way back when. They meant to be tongue-in-cheek to sell their delicious cake mixes.
And it just came off as being classless, as it reads “Husband/Man Beats Wife” referring to men helping their wives mix the batter. Domestic abuse is no laughing matter, and the whole campaign comes off as being in very poor taste.