The 1950s Trick to Catching Chicks

We can already imagine the headlines and the outrage of many 21st century humans when they see this ad. Dacron Leggs was only trying to promote their product, but to the modern eye, the misogyny it speaks of is unacceptable, and they would have been canceled for this today.

 

Their sales pitch is that even though the lady might be fierce as a tiger, wearing Dacroon Leggs pants will make it easy for any man to walk all over her. And you can be sure that men back in the '50s loved nothing more than having this type of power.

Smart Women Catch Men

What's hasn't changed even today is that women are still used in advertisements to attract consumers. Although modern marketing strategies try to be more mindful not to demean them. Unfortunately, many women back in the day had no choice but to accept being looked at this way.

 

That's why this piece of advertisement, unacceptable as it is, would have had ladies looking for this companies deodorant so that they could keep their men. Even though, in reality, it has nothing to do with that. It is ads like this that make us understand the origin of concepts like beauty without brains when it comes to women.

When Size Doesn't Matter

Apart from normalizing women as inferior, companies began trying to get more sales by creating a product version that would be meant just for them. An example is this advert for girl-sized pens.

 

Obviously, Parker's pen must have had massive sales seeing as it was easy to accept that the fragile hands of "fragile" women can't hold the same size of a pen that a man would hold. Many vintage ads relied heavily on differentiating men from women and some in very demeaning ways. But on the brighter side, it meant that women were being recognized one way or the other.

When There's No Hair, Shave Anyway

The concept behind this advert is a lot to process, and whatever Gillete's intentions were, depicting an image like this has a million things wrong with it—first and foremost being safety. Razors like this should be kept out of the reach of children but this image clearly promotes it.

 

In the real sense of it, what would a baby be trying to shave off? No matter how early you may want to start learning to shave, we’d expect that there should at least be something that needs shaving in the first place.

Babies Are Gifts, Literally!

For DuPont Cellophane, this idea of advertisement was a pretty cute and laudable attempt to bring the human element into their product, but like many vintage ads, a lot of things were ignored or not just considered as important in those days.

 

For example, no one will currently be comfortable with the idea of depicting a child in cellophane wrap, especially as it is clear that breathing will be difficult in there, not to mention that humans are not packages. The concept and slogan were quite creative but the delivery could use some work.

An Irresistible Offer

This is typical of what men's magazines between the ‘60s and ‘70s contained and one might say they really knew their audience. It remains a common strategy today to depict alluring pictures of models to grab the attention of male consumers because it generally works.

 

It was assumed to be flattering to offer a Tiparillo to a woman and the advert passes the message that it could be used to get them in bed with you. And by portraying a dental hygienist alongside a violinist, it shows that their product can attract anyone at all.

Pyrex Making Girls Dreams Come True

Pyrex as a brand leveraged one of the most prevailing traditions in society—marriage—to market their brand and gain popularity in the 1940s and it worked. The brand is still around today and they remain one of the leading brands in their industry, although over the years they must have realized that their adverts need improvement.

 

Stereotyping the woman to the kitchen and claiming that her dream is to prepare dishes for her husband is not something that would attract customers today. Rather, it could have the entire brand canceled by the new generation of woke humans. 

The American National Cake

How did hot dogs become so popular in America you may ask, well, adverts like this played a big role in it. Hot dogs were always advertised as a staple food that anyone could afford to have and that it is best enjoyed as a group whether as a family, at a sports event, or any gathering of people.

 

It has also been speculated that their affordability made them even more popular during the economic meltdown of the country. They became classic roadside food and today they have won a place as part of American history and tradition.

If You Love Em, Eat Em

Dickman Rendering & Creaming Inc. completely misinterpreted the love that kids have for ponies. We don't know if this advert helped their sales or not but it seems very certain that it wouldn't work today to tell kids that they are eating those adorable ponies that they love so much.

 

This advert seems targeted at catching the kids' attention so that they can get their parents to buy the product for them. A different perspective that they could have been gunning for with this advert is; if ponies are so magical and adorable, maybe eating one would make you just as magical.

A Woman's Charm

Throw some stunning girls into any ad and it could take a completely different direction. The idea is as old as time and these vintage ads show how they took advantage of women's feminity to attract male audiences.

 

Although these images are just illustrations and not real-life models, the creativity stems from the image of girls that seemed attractive. They gave women a sense of power and relevance being able the control the narrative and men loved to feast their eyes. It is said that these ads are soviet union materials usually sold on trains by people who pretend to be deaf.

Confined to the Kitchen

By pushing the narrative that a man needs a woman to do kitchen things, Hardee's restaurant made money off of bachelors who had no woman in their homes in the 1940s. Although the direct stereotyping of women is still very much in play here, the advert was quite exceptional for such a time.

 

Today, it would almost be a criminal offense to insinuate that a woman's place is in the kitchen, in addition to the fact that many men these days have learned to cook for themselves. This ad is actually very creative but it needs severe content fixing if it ever hopes to be used in this generation.

A Gil Masterpiece

Gil Elvgreen was credited for his work in creating pin-up posters but wasn't really recognized as an artist. His items were eye-catching as they depicted girls that could be found in everyday life in the most glamorous and inviting way. And he also inspired many other artists to imitate his style, making it a growing trend in the 1930s and 1940s.

 

Of course, even today, images like that still have their appeal but we don't know for sure if the success he achieved in the past can be recreated today. These days, people seem to prefer things in real-time with real humans instead of simple illustrations.

The Ideal Scent of Beauty

We know how terrible it can be to smell bad, especially where other people are, but this advert takes it too far with its depiction of the woman. It shows you the type of opinion the world had about women and how they were treated with disrespect.

 

Many would find it offensive that Odorono as a brand believed that women stink and that it was because they weren't using their deodorant. However, in the advert, they went further to tell men not to gamble smelling good too but with much more respect saying they shouldn't waste their good grooming by ignoring how they smell.

Cars Have Genders Too

As women started becoming more self-aware and involved, manufacturers started trying to market things tailored just for them. It still hinged on pointing out the differences between a man and a woman, even when there was no logical difference in the use of the product for any gender.

 

An example is this mini automatic car ad that seems to be tailored specifically as a woman's car claiming that even if it's the first time it is being driven, it won't be difficult to navigate. Maybe they felt that a woman couldn't handle complicated manual cars like a man would and we know such insinuations are unacceptable in our world today.

KFC, Saving Wives Since the '60s

You may not believe that there was once a time KFC marketed their fast food as wife savers but that was the idea back in the day. It was believed that a woman's job is to cook and if she couldn't, it was going to become a problem big enough to threaten her marriage so, KFC came to the rescue.

 

Perhaps this is why they've survived so long as a brand, because of how they connected with people and appealed to them by using tactics that claimed that they wanted to help. They knew that women who constantly cook every day would appreciate a break, so they became the alternative.

Moms & Wives in the Air

Maybe we agree! Air hostesses are one of the best things about traveling by air. Their warm smiles and excellent service contribute to how much we enjoy our time in the air and it's no wonder it has become the norm today.

 

They weren't subtle about the services they were offering and it was known by all that on air travel with Delta, you could expect sandwiches, your choice of booze from their vast collection, and you could also feed your eyes with air hostesses that were referred to as eye candy.

The Most Important Meal

Health experts say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should not be skipped. So, that's at least one reason why this ad would have gained popularity. However, it was particularly targeted at the husbands of soon-to-be mothers because morning sickness was ruining their chances of breakfast.

 

Mornidine is a brand of antiemetic Pipamazine and what it does is prevent nausea and vomiting which were the major morning sickness symptoms. Society was at a point where there wasn't any alternative to who made the food in the house but thankfully, it is medically safe to use antiemetics during pregnancy.

The Reason He Left

The makers of this ad decided to address the elephant in the room, bad breath, which no one likes to talk about, least of all with their close ones. The ad suggests that a man would ignore a beautiful woman for that reason. It further implies that if ladies wanted to remain a viable choice for men, they needed to ensure fresh breath at all times.

 

As it turns out, this ad was created by a toothpaste company that is still popular today—Colgate. Those were different times, and to be sure, their adverts today are a far cry from the '40s.

Stuck With Bridesmaid Duties

It was easy for companies to sell products by leveraging strong societal customs, especially marriage. Although it's still a significant tradition in our society today, it was several times more important in the 20th century. It was a common belief that a woman's sole happiness in life rests on getting married and anything deterring that needed to be fixed.

 

This Listerine ad suggested halitosis (bad breath) was the culprit for why this woman was always a bridesmaid and never a bride. They marketed their product as the solution, and while the approach may have worked then, we doubt it will today.

Magical Donuts To Seal the Deal

Similar to the idea of the ad above, this one suggests that this company's tasty donuts would help any woman find a man. The hidden ball and chain behind the lady allude to the idea that women end up trapping men in marriage. How's that for irony?

 

The header on top saying 'It's Leap Year-Girls' is about an Irish tradition, any woman could propose to a man on that day of the year, and if her proposal was rejected, the man would have to pay a fine. Apparently, with the aid of these donuts, there would be no chance of rejection to begin with.

Stay Grounded

If you think this is the most misogynistic ad you've ever come across, trust us when we say there's not only more but also worse. The idea that a woman's place is at the feet of a man is exactly what this advert was about and while it would make you sick to your stomach today, we imagine it must have attracted lots of sales in the past to men with similar beliefs.

 

Weyenberg Massagic shoes probably wish they can erase this ad from their history. The message is very provoking and won't be entertained in our world today.

The Remedy for All Ills

Coca-Cola is a brand that has been around almost forever and this is one of their original ads. Their product was advertised as a brain tonic that was suitable for any season, even went as far as claiming it was a cure for physical and mental exhaustion.

 

Their offer was irresistible and they delivered on their promise because there's a deeply refreshing feeling that comes after downing a very chilled glass of the beverage. But these days, their products are not considered ideal for a healthy lifestyle seeing as people are trying to cut down carbonated drinks from their diet.

In Poor Taste

This is probably the only ad we've seen so far that doubles as being both offensive and hilarious because we can think of a bunch of people today who wouldn't mind getting spanked if that's supposed to be a punishment. Although any form of domestic violence is frowned upon today, it was not a big deal in the 1950s.

 

The Chase & Sanborn brand marketed their product as the easy choice if fresh coffee is what you're after. And while their content choice in passing that message would offend many today, it was ideal enough to drive home their point at the time.

We'll Take It From Here, Chef

As a food processor brand, Kenwood Chef knew that emphasizing the kitchen and food in their ads was the right way to go, but like with many vintage ads, the problem was with the fact that they continuously reiterated the stereotype of associating cooking with women.

 

It would have been enough for the ad to stop at "the chef does everything but cook" but the fact that it continued with the other part shows that the advertising industry was actually run by the same set of men that had similar misogynistic beliefs. Things have changed to an extent today but we still have a long way to go.

Breakfast in Bed With a Tie

Just as it was a common sales tactic to stereotype women, it was also common to feed a man's ego. Men wanted power and there was no better place to have it than in their own homes. Although we understand the thinking of the men in the '50s, we don't understand the relationship between the tie and a man being served in bed.

 

It doesn't seem like Van Heusen gave this ad much thought and hoped to get away with it by using a cheeky catchphrase like "it's a man's world." Their tie isn't showing anyone anything and no one puts a tie on for breakfast in bed.

Old World Methamphetamine

There were a lot of excessive promises made by advertisers that would have landed them in serious litigation issues if they did the same today. It seems far-fetched that Phosferine Tonic wine was the cure for depression because what we know today is that it could even make the condition worse.

 

Many products at this time in the British community claimed to be able to help with curing any nervy feelings. It was perfect for sales, especially because many people were obviously nervy with the second world war looming around 1939.

Healthy Kids Eat Bananas

It's never easy to get children to eat healthy foods especially because they're not usually as sweet as other foods may be and kids are usually only motivated by fun and interesting things. This brand probably understood that and tailored their ad to depict happy kids eating bananas.

 

Apart from putting this on television, playing the sibling card is also a creative idea for this ad because parents will think it's cute that the girl's brother is helping to feed her bananas and it would also encourage their own kids to do the same.

A Safe Insect Murder Weapon

The chemical known as DDT is Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. It's a chemical compound that has no taste or smell and can be used to get rid of insect pests. It's funny how the ad makes it look like it's a good product for both humans and animals alike even though studies have proven that it is unsafe.

 

Maybe this ad worked a little too well because DDT became widely used in America, so much so that the insects began to develop resistance to it. It was also discovered that there were toxicological and environmental harms being caused as a result of its use.

Keeping the Wife Happy

As women in the 20th century carried out their regular kitchen duties, companies were realizing that they could market products and appliances that would make it easier for them. It seems they knew that the kitchen routine was quite tedious, so offering a simpler solution was more than welcome.

 

They offered soil-free ovens so that the woman won't have to go through the stress of cleaning out the stove so often anymore. Although the whole idea of it being a wife saver would not fly in today's world, it saved them a lot of stress at the time.

The Original Weight Watchers

It's been going on for a long time now that the world pushes the narrative of slender women being more attractive. Even in the past, losing weight became an important thing to do but in this case, it was in order not to lose appeal in front of their husbands.

 

But with limited knowledge, these women went about losing weight by not eating enough and it only made them weak and unable to carry out chores. The ad promises to restore vitality through vitamins even in a meal that may not be able to provide enough energy like cereals so they can watch their weight and still work. It was always all about the work. 

Not Your Regular Projection Equipment

It's a little hard to tell whether it's the projector that is really being advertised or some other form of projection. And the pun almost seems as deliberate as their effort to be overly suggestive with their model. However, they probably caught the attention of potential buyers through the ad.

 

Modern adverts seem to have found a balance as regards the attractiveness of a lady in an ad and the actual product being marketed but the culture of objectifying women to increase sales is not yet dead and we're still a long way coming on that front.

Well, That's a First

What a feat! Who would have thought that it would ever be possible that a woman would also be able to open up a bottle of ketchup? It's amazing all the misogynistic sentiments that men had about women back in the day, and because they ruled the advertising industry, it showed a lot in their ads.

 

The small print even makes it worse as it goes ahead to emphasize how fragile they believed women to be and how simple it is to open their bottles despite that. It's just a screw cap and nothing fancy, they only overplayed the simplicity of their invention.

It's Not Rocket Science

The small print of this ad is quite a read if you manage to get past why it needed to begin with the legalities of taking a woman's life. They tried to market their postage meter as efficient and simple to use but couldn't help doing that without a stereotypical story.

 

The ad, though convincing, still hints ever so loudly at the presumed incompetence of a woman at anything other than house duties. And they believed women only wanted to gossip with one another so it's a great product if she can get the mail out on time and head back to the ladies' room for some "dirt."

Who Knew Beauty Was So Tedious

In an attempt to sell beauty to women while telling them what it was acceptable to look like, ads were made that talked about so-called physical flaws and how to get rid of them. In a world where body positivity has now become a thing, beauty ads are much more creative and less demeaning.

 

Just imagine the type of tool they expect a woman to use so that she can appear pleasing to a man. It looks like it would be a very uncomfortable experience for anyone. It's bad for self-esteem to constantly point out flaws and it's probably why many women in the past lacked confidence.

Obesity Patient Zero

So this is why kids grew to love candy so much! With a beautiful and inviting ad like this, they could also have us stop at the next store to fill our bags with tasty treats. It was well known that sugary treats like this would grant kids a lot of energy—what we call the sugar rush—but unlike today, it was promoted in the past.

 

It worked so well that it may have been the origin of child obesity and the obesity epidemic in America. Such an ad will be banned today because it's similar to promoting an unhealthy lifestyle and kids really don't need the energy that candy gives. 

Your Personal Sunlight

It's important that the media is regulated because people in the past were greatly influenced by what they read in ads just as much as we are influenced by what we see in the media today. It's especially a more vulnerable situation for new mothers on the hunt for information to better take care of their babies.

 

And children have always been a great resource to advertisers who leverage on parents' need to look out for their kids' best interests. This ad promises safety and claims that the sunlamp is healthy for babies but according to Healthline, any form of light during sleep can affect a good night's rest.

More Than Just a Game

This is a tennis video game ad with a detailed writeup and clear information but somehow there's one piece of the ad that's just off-script. It seems like advertisers in the past would throw in a suggestive image of a woman even without context, just to attract people's attention.

 

We don't believe that something like this will be published today because there will be a lot of backlash from it. In the past, there weren't consequences for things like this, which is why advertisers never gave them much thought. We're glad that the world has come a long way from such objectification of women even if it still happens today.

Finally Being Recognized

Girls come in different shapes and sizes. As much as society had unrealistic notions about what a "regular" size should be in the '40s, it was becoming evident that clothing manufacturers had to account for size variation, which Lane Bryant did. They specifically marketed clothes for chubby kids hoping it would make them feel seen and included.

 

To make their pitch more enticing, they even offered larger sizes at the same price as regular ones. Although it comes off as inclusive and non-discriminatory, referring to people as 'chubbies' is anything but.

Focus On What's Important

Beauty was considered one of the most essential things for girls in the past, and it didn't matter how smart they were. In fact, appearing intelligent was one way to limit their chances of finding a man because men preferred a woman they could control.

 

That was the idea behind this vintage Palmolive beauty ad to get women to use their product since their beauty was the most important thing. We would like to believe that there's no place in today's world for such thinking, but many women are still battling these antiquated norms all over the world today.

Frankly speaking, anyone born in recent times would find it difficult to understand how lots of past adverts ever got approved for printing. Still, it is pretty interesting to know that the sales ploys they used were what consumers went for back in the day.

 

Many of these ads show the type of mindset that existed during that time period, and you're sure to find some to be as hilarious as they are offensive. However, even though social media marketing has helped advance our methods, let's not forget that the ultimate goal of all these adverts was based on the same consumer principles we have today.

Toy Guns Are Not Toys

We cannot believe our eyes! This ad should have never seen the light of day because guns are not toys that children should ever have access to. We know the aim is to advertise the weapon's safety, but that makes no difference to a child who comes across one in real life and assumes it's safe to play with.

 

The advertisers probably felt snug about trying to convince people they might have to use their product at least once in their lifetimes for self-defense. But making it seem safe enough for even a child to handle is where they should've drawn the line.