12 Crazy old ads!

[zridling]

Holy crap, these old ads tell us a lot about pre-politically correct marketing, such as when everyone smoked!



Although I do remember the days (in the US) when everyone smoked, and when I was little they ran TV ads spouting this kind of stuff about doctors.

[mwb1100]

Ahh, the good ol' days.

I love the 7-Up ad - it's going on my wall, right next to my smoking baby figurine (http://www.mcphee.com/items/11095.html):

Of all the things that shouldn't smoke, babies are at the top of the list. The tag line for this product emphatically states our position on this issue: Real Babies Should Never Smoke! Ceramic babies smoking, on the other hand, are strangely appealing. Celebrate this absurd juxtaposition with one of these 2 3/4" tall ceramic babies. Each infant comes with a pack of ten Li'l Smokes and has another one in its mouth, ready to light up and puff. The smokes are actually non-toxic, unscented incense wrapped in paper.

[PhilB66]

Is the Puma ad original?

[mwb1100]

Is the Puma ad original?

-PhilB66 (January 27, 2008, 12:30 AM)

It turns out that the Puma ad is fake: http://www.felixsalmon.com/000150.php

[nudone]

more genuine old ads selling dubious content can be found in this book...

http://www.amazon.co...201423613&sr=1-1

i recommend it if you like that kind of thing. there are about 80 or more pictures in it.

[mouser]

Nice find Nudone, this reminds me that you can also buy copies of very old Sears catalogs:

http://www.amazon.co.../102-1644154-2497724



My sister and i used to go through these catalogs like an accountant looking for tax breaks when it was time for us to get presents.

[cranioscopical]

Nice find Nudone, this reminds me that you can also buy copies of very old Sears catalogs:
My sister and i used to go through these catalogs like an accountant looking for tax breaks when it was time for us to get presents.

-mouser (January 27, 2008, 08:19 AM)

And what did each of you receive in 1897? 

[zridling]

Ha, thanks for the references, guys. I will definitely send these along. If I could go back in time, knowing what I know now... (I'd probably "accidentally" kill a lot of very bad people!).

[Renegade]

Yeah... Smoking... Ok... "killed in action"... sure...

The Soda Pop Board of America:

Do your child a favor. Start them on a strict regimen of sodas and other sugary carbonated beverages right now, for a lifetime of guaranteed happiness.

WTF???

Ok... Either people in the 1950's were completely retarded, or there were some seriously evil people in marketing...

Oh yeah... And if you don't buy my software, it's a 100% guaranteed fact that you will die! So... run out and buy my software today before you get mauled by soda-crack-babies!

[lanux128]

i remember seeing an old book titled "it's ok to smoke" from my uncle's collection. (btw, he didn't smoke)

[Renegade]

i remember seeing an old book titled "it's ok to smoke" from my uncle's collection. (btw, he didn't smoke)

-lanux128 (January 27, 2008, 11:13 PM)

????  ????       ????

Holy murphy!

It's "ok" to chase the dragon too... 

[mwb1100]

In case anyone's interested, just a little background on the "killed in action" ad.  World Peaceways was an anti-war pacifist organization between WWI and WWII.  Here's the text from the ad:

He's going to grow up to go to war?

No - he's never going to grow up at all.  If another war comes, he and his mother and thousands upon thousands like them are going to "die in action".

"Impossible!" you say. "They're non-combatants." Don't be silly - there'll be no such thing as non-combatants in the next war.

Wide-cruising submarines and bombing planes will laugh at front lines.  Gas - gas so powerful that one drop on your skin will kill you - will not be particular whose skin it touches. There will be no haven, no sanctuary, no safety. Everone will suffer.

And for what? Glory - where was it in the last war?

Victory - where was it in the last peace?

With that cruel lesson still fresh in mind, is another war to be forced upon us - a war infinitely more horrible, more futile, and more lasting in its harm than the last?

That is for you to decide.

What to do about it

Hysterical protests won't avert another war, any more than will "preparedness".

Civilization must build its own defense out of human reason and intelligence, properly organized and applied.

To every reasonable and intelligent man and woman in America goes the responsibility of doing his or her share to avert the coming war.

World Peaceways offers a practical plan of how you can help. Write for it. There is no obligation involved in your inquiry, except the obligation to your conscience and to your conviction that there must be no more wars.  World Peaceways, Inc., 100 Park Avenue, New York City.

[Renegade]

In case anyone's interested, just a little background on the "killed in action" ad.  World Peaceways was an anti-war pacifist organization between WWI and WWII.  Here's the text from the ad:
...snip...

-mwb1100 (January 27, 2008, 11:26 PM)

That ad (from my own eyes) could easily be used today. The issue is eternal and won't go away for a long time. Replace the graphic and modernize the font... Pretty much done at that point.

However, what you posted for the ad and the text there seem to be a bit different. There's a reference in the graphic to "1914-1918", but not in what you had. Perhaps there were different versions of it?

In any event, that one I certainly wouldn't paint as "crazy". Perhaps a vivid reflection of the time, but certainly not a crazy ad by any means. Crazy would be advocating war... Oooops! We have ads like that today! 

[mwb1100]

what you posted for the ad and the text there seem to be a bit different. There's a reference in the graphic to "1914-1918", but not in what you had. Perhaps there were different versions of it?

-Renegade (January 28, 2008, 01:17 AM)

You're right - I couldn't read the text in the one posted on oddee.com.  I googled around to find one I could read (with a bit of difficulty - I think it's time for a visit to the eye doctor).  It looks like the text on oddee.com differs after the "What to do about it" heading.

[zridling]

I can't talk. I did save up and buy this Charles Atlas book based on the ad. I didn't go around smacking people, but I did work out for a week.



Charles needed to do some more squats.

[Renegade]

I hovered over the link then clicked -- very funny, and very geeky! No wonder the guy got beat up!

[app103]

Now here is an old ad that is likely to make some feel a bit uncomfortable:

12 Crazy old ads!

http://www.pollenatr...hindsight_that_.html

and if you can't get enough of old ads, here is plenty more:
http://pzrservices.t.../vintageadvertising/