Here are some of the most cringe-worthy ads; we can’t believe they were actually real! However, some of them are interesting to look at and bring a sense of the past to determine how much our lives have changed throughout the years.
1960 – Alcoa Aluminum
Apparently, it will only take a dainty grasp to open up an Alcoa Aluminum can. These caps are so easy to use that women can get the ketchup out without having to ask a man for help!
1960 – Alcoa Aluminum
1965 – McDonald’s
You can see the 1965 ad for the All American three-course meal provided by McDonald’s. It included a milkshake, French fries, and a hamburger, and you only spent 52 cents. Add a drink to the mix for 10 to 15 cents. That would be an amazing deal now!
1965 – McDonald’s
1960s – Tipalet
How do you get a woman interested? You simply blow cigarette smoke into her face. Well, that’s what this ad shows. This advertisement is outdated because of the misogyny, but it also glorifies smoking. It wouldn’t make it by today’s standards!
1960s – Tipalet
1960s – Schlitz Beer
The Schlitz Beer campaign from the 1960s shows that beer cans in the past didn’t feature the pop tab. Could you imagine grabbing your can opener just to have a cold brew? We’re very glad companies have innovated and made it easier.
1960s – Schlitz Beer
1970s – Columbia Records
Columbia Records put out this ad showing an amazing deal of getting 13 tapes/records for $1. It’s a shocking deal, and you were guaranteed a good price if you joined the brand’s club. This would add up significantly if you enjoyed music, but things have now changed.
1970s – Columbia Records
1900s – Ohio Carriage Club
You might not see it initially, but The Ohio Carriage Co. was ahead of its time. It was boasting of not employing children and providing a 30-day trial for the Split Hickory Special Top Buggy. In fact, you couldn’t ask for more from a company at that time!
1900s – Ohio Carriage Club
1960s – 7Up
It’s hard to imagine that brands made bold claims like this one from 7Up. If you drink this soda, you will get an energy burst that can help you play ping-pong or bowling better, and it will only take about six minutes. However, what’s happening with the woman’s pose?!
1960s – 7Up
1950s – Marilyn Monroe Fireworks Safety Ad
It’s unclear how a seductive swimsuit worn by Marilyn Monroe would help with fireworks safety on the 4th of July. However, sex appeal was often used back then, and it probably worked to catch the men’s attention at the time.
1950s – Marilyn Monroe Fireworks Safety Ad
1980s – General Electric
GE changed the world in the 1980s when it introduced the “snooze” feature on the alarm clock. We take it for granted now, but things were a lot different back then. In fact, many people use their phones instead of an actual clock!
1980s – General Electric
1950s – Modern Hair Styling
It’s pretty neat to see some of the modern (1950s) hairstyles at the time for men. Some are now out of fashion and have been for decades. However, it’s interesting to see how they change and evolve (possibly coming back into style).
1950s – Modern Hair Styling
1950s – Budweiser
This advert from Budweiser in the 1950s is interesting. Firstly, it points out that wives weren’t allowed at poker night with the guys. However, they still had to have snacks and beer available for the group. Plus, it’s a little shocking that a company would take credit for the wife’s memory!
1950s – Budweiser
1970s – Hormel
This ad from the 1970s is an excellent example of how businesses marketed products to fit the decade’s hard economic times. Hormel promised a meal full of meat without a high price. It must have done something right because the company is still around!
1970s – Hormel
1970s – Leggs
Some ads are only sexist because times have changed, but this one takes the cake. It dehumanizes women, showing that men can walk all over them because of their pants. It’s crazy that an ad like this one ran, and it wouldn’t happen today!
1970s – Leggs
1950s – Nichols Industries Inc.
In the 1950s, every boy wanted a realistic gun toy, and the company boasts of the life-like sound and features. However, that wouldn’t fly today with all the mass shootings. Society wants to distance itself from gun toys!
1950s – Nichols Industries Inc.
1960s – Kohler Bathroom Fixtures
This bathroom screams 1960s, and that makes sense because it’s a Kohler’s ad from that time period. It’s hard to believe companies advertised that color. Though avocado toilets have gone out of style, we hope they never make a comeback!
1960s – Kohler Bathroom Fixtures
1980s – Airflow Company
The ad is definitely eye-catching, but Airflow Company missed its mark. Its argument is enjoying the scene and dealing with an AC system failing. It’s just hard to understand that something so awkward would get printed!
1980s – Airflow Company
1910s – Sears
It’s hard to believe this ad because we were shocked to find out Sears sold houses. Likewise, a 12-bedroom house was only $6,000! With inflation, that would make it cost $172,779, and we have to admit that’s a bargain in all senses of the word.
1910s – Sears
1960s – Cigar Institute of America
Who would have thought it a good idea to compare modern men to cavemen? Was that desirable, then? Somehow, the company believed that it could convince men to smoke its cigars and become manlier. Then, the cavewoman was there for effects.
1960s – Cigar Institute of America
1960s – Sears Pikes Peak Hill Climb (Lionel)
There’s something wholesome about this illustrated advertisement. It shows a family playing with the Pikes Peak Hill Climb track toy. You can feel the children’s excitement, and the parents are actually involved, as well!
1960s – Sears Pikes Peak Hill Climb (Lionel)
1950s – Lucky Tiger Hair Tonic
Lucky Tiger Hair Tonic released its 1950s ad and promised that men could have their pick of women if they used the product. We know that’s not how it works, but this ad still ran at the time and probably sold thousands of hair tonics!
1950s – Lucky Tiger Hair Tonic
1930s – Tart-Chestnut Co.
The name of the Tart-Chestnut product wasn’t inappropriate in the 1930s. However, this is a good example of how the word meanings can change with time. “Big Tits” was the nickname for the chip company Titus Tart.
1930s – Tart-Chestnut Co.s Tart Chestnut Co.
1960s – Sony
Before smartphones became popular, people had to record videos on heavy equipment, carrying it everywhere. This man climbed a tree to capture a bird’s nest while holding a box. It certainly wouldn’t be the most effective marketing option today.
1960s – Sony
1930s – Kellogg’s
Kellogg’s tried selling vitamins in the 1930s. The way it did so was by telling husbands that those products would help their wives stay energetic. Why would her appearance have anything to do with how hard she worked?!
1930s – Kellogg’s
1885 – Toothache Drops
In 1885, cocaine was completely legal and was advertised as a toothache remedy. You could head to your local pharmacy to pick some up, and this ad even shows children. Now, we know that cocaine is highly addictive!
1885 – Toothache Drops
1940s – Camel
It’s hard to believe that Camel released an ad that promoted smoking. Potential buyers could read that doctors smoked this brand more than others. Today, that wouldn’t work, and most people wouldn’t trust a physician who promoted smoking!
1940s – Camel
1980s – Sony
The Sony Walkman ad captures the 1980s decade perfectly in a single photograph. You see roller skates, portable cassette players, and the classic hairstyles and clothing of the time period. It’s a nostalgic look that was cool in this era.
1980s – Sony
1950s – Bell and Howell Projector
Here’s a classic example of companies using sex appeal and women’s bodies to promote products. It’s from the 1950s, and the primary focus is Sabrina’s chest, even though the brand is selling a color slide projector!
1950s – Bell and Howell Projector
1940s – Plymouth
You can clearly see in this ad from the 1940s that more text is used, and that’s a significant difference between those and the current ones. No one would spend that much time reading the information before deciding to get that vehicle!
1940s – Plymouth
1970s – Out of the Closet Inc.
The brand might have been trying to normalize LGBTQ+ during the 1970s, but this doll is highly offensive by today’s standards. “Gay Bob” was actually marketed as the first gay doll for anyone. It seems nice, but it’s very problematic!
1970s – Out of the Closet Inc.
1970s – Radio Shack
Radio Shack was the go-to place to purchase the latest technology products in its heyday. Now, Best Buy has completely crushed the brand, which had to declare bankruptcy multiple times in only the past few years.
1970s – Radio Shack
1970s – McDonald’s
We truly believe this ad was meant to be inclusive to African Americans, and it worked in the 1970s. However, those racial stereotypes of that advert would never be allowed to show today. It’s completely unacceptable by today’s standards!
1970s – McDonald’s
1949 – Larsen Company
There’s nothing culturally offensive here, but it’s still unappealing to look at five different vegetables in one can. That might have worked in the past, but most people nowadays wouldn’t be into that idea because it’s odd and a little grotesque.
1949 – Larsen Company
1950s – Schlitz Beer
Schlitz Beer has another sexist ad, but this is from the 1950s. Here, you see a wife upset about burning dinner. However, her husband then comforts her by saying it’s okay since she didn’t burn his beer.
1950s – Schlitz Beer
1950s – Western Electric
It’s interesting that Western Electric believed that the future of phones would be like this. Though it wasn’t far off with its design, the creators of the ad probably didn’t think of cordless phones or the smartphones we all use now!
1950s – Western Electric
1960s – Martini & Rossi
Martini & Rossi, a popular alcoholic beverage company, decided that it would be smart to have a woman locked in a cage for the advertisement. Did anyone believe that men could “capture” women by plying them with booze?!
1960s – Martini & Rossi
1970s – Honda
It’s unbelievable that an ad like this got approved, even in the 1970s. We’re not sure what the brand meant by “woman’s car,” but it’s ridiculous to market something solely based on gender. In fact, it’s offensive in all forms!
1970s – Honda
1950s – 7Up
This ad could never run today! You can see a baby being given a 7Up soda to drink. Now, we know that diabetes and too much sugar are bad for us, but it’s still shocking to see a young child drinking this type of beverage.
1950s – 7Up
1943 – Texaco
This is an interesting ad. Texaco envisioned a world where kids had to ask who Hitler was. At the time, he was causing horrific genocide. It focused on solidarity and dreams of a better future where no one could hurt an entire population.
1943 – Texaco
1950s – Van Heusen
Whether you like it or not, Van Heusen did have an ad showcasing classist tropes to try to make its brand seem more upper-class. Though shirts and ties look different than tribal attire, they are worn in totally different situations!
1950s – Van Heusen
1999 – Best Buy
Who could forget Y2K with all its craziness? Here, you see a throwback ad from Blockbuster, reminding everyone of the panic people experienced on New Years’ Eve night in 1999. They thought the computers would stop working!
1999 – Best Buy
