The world of advertising is utterly fascinating. Sure, being bombarded by ads every single moment throughout your day can be annoying. But if they’re genuinely creative and informative, then you might just stop and look. Even if you don’t plan on buying the product or service, you can allow yourself to be entertained.
The r/vintageads online community is a wonderful niche on the internet. There, you’ll find interesting examples of what advertisements used to look like decades and decades ago. Some of them seem goofy and even downright weird in the eyes of modern audiences. Though they seem simply baffling, they give us a glimpse into bygone eras and the values and behaviors of people living in the past. Scroll down to check out the best and strangest the vintage world has to offer.
Bored Panda was interested in finding out more about giving ads greater longevity, as well as what current trends in advertising look like, so we reached out to marketing psychology speaker Matt Johnson, Ph.D., the host of the human nature blog. You'll find his insights as you read on.
#1 They All Got The Vaccine.. Except Dad, 1958
Image credits: 80sforeverr
#2 Dad, You've Got To Help Me! Responsible Drinking Message From Seagram Company Ltd, 1987
Image credits: Slow-moving-sloth
#3 Asbestos Ad, 1970s
Image credits: The_Persian_Cat
#4 Man Looking For A Wife In 1865
Image credits: dannydutch1
#5 Kikkoman Soy Sauce Promotional Matches (1950s?)
Image credits: liberty4now
#6 Don't Smoke, Live Long And Prosper, 1989
Image credits: RexLayne
#7 Modern Home Floor Plan, Sears 1934 Catalog
Image credits: DualCay0te
#8 Remember Wendy’s Tables?
Image credits: Yahtrok
#9 Mental Health Help Service In 1991 X-Men Comic
Image credits: Compass_Needle
#10 I've Robbed The Rainbow To Make You Gay. Jester Wools
Image credits: Ebonystealth
#11 Meanwhile, In Florida Public School History Books
Image credits: keith2301
#12 If You Lived In The 70s Or 80s You Either Had One Of These Patterns Or Knew Someone Who Did
Image credits: Ebonystealth
#13 In The 1970s, This Was A Clothing Store's Idea Of A "Chubby Girl."
Image credits: Long_Before_Sunrise
#14 1960 Flintstones Advertising Sponsored By Winston
Image credits: Paul-Belgium
#15 When I’m 64
Image credits: Yahtrok
#16 Re-Groove Your Tyres
Image credits: Ebonystealth
#17 In 1967 Philco Introduced A 4 Inch Vinyl Disc They Called 'Hip Pocket Records.' They Had A 'Hit' Song On Each Side And Sold For 69 Cents
Image credits: DualCay0te
#18 Sugar Information Inc., 1964
Image credits: Fat_Sad_Human
#19 The Shirt Suit Supreme
Image credits: Ebonystealth
#20 Mcdonalds Onion Nuggets
Image credits: Ebonystealth
#21 Sears Men's Fashion 1960's
Image credits: dogbytes
#22 Wheel Ants?
Image credits: Ebonystealth
#23 1998 Milk Ad With Conan O'brien
Image credits: morganmonroe81
#24 In The 1950s, Antidepressants Were Marketed Primarily Towards Housewives And Their Husbands To Ensure Household Tasks Weren't Neglected
Image credits: RamenTheory
#25 I'm Pretty Sure Everyone Had One Of These
Image credits: Ebonystealth
#26 Unpleasant Odour Is Caused By Underarm Hair (1930s)
Image credits: Ebonystealth
#27 McDonald's Mcdonaldland Glasses, 1975
Image credits: RexLayne
#28 Jc Penney Ad, 1972
Image credits: DiosMioMan63
#29 Buying A Concrete House Buys You Maximum Protection From Atomic Blasts
Image credits: Ebonystealth
#30 Cottonelle Colored Toilet Paper (1982)
Image credits: lovemypennydog
#31 Glad This Is Laughable Today - Advertisement For Radio Drama Show Asking If Women Over 35 Can Be Loved
Image credits: NoDoctor4460
#32 Gentlemen Prefer Hanes (1975)
Image credits: lemmycaution25
#33 Backyard Star Wars Playset
Image credits: bobby_barbados
#34 How Many Of You Jokers Had This Budweiser Poster In The Late 80s?
Image credits: Quick_Presentation11
#35 Marlboro Cigarettes "You're Darn Tootin My Dad Smokes Marlboro", 1950
Image credits: RedKittieKat
#36 In The 1950s, Antidepressants Were Marketed Primarily Towards Housewives And Their Husbands To Ensure Household Tasks Weren't Neglected
Image credits: RamenTheory
#37 A Terrifying Way To Start Your Day: Post's Sugar Krinkles
Image credits: Ebonystealth
#38 A Walking Turn On. 1970s
Image credits: tforbesabc
#39 Cricketeer Suit Ad From 1972
Image credits: master-jono
#40 Gain Weight With Ironized Yeast (1958)
Image credits: Ebonystealth
#41 1974 Ford Thunderbird Burgundy Edition
Image credits: Quick_Presentation11
