The past was a different world, where products that seem shocking now were commonplace. Whether it was questionable materials, risky ingredients, or outright offensive marketing, these vintage items might have thrived back in the day but would ignite social media outrage and boycotts today.
1. Candy Cigarettes
Back in the day, kids would “puff” on candy cigarettes like they were the coolest thing on the block. These sugary treats came in packs styled like real cigarette brands, and you could even blow out a sugary puff of “smoke.” Today, the very idea of normalizing smoking to children would spark outrage, with parents and health advocates boycotting anything remotely close.
2. Ayds Diet Candy
This weight-loss product from the 1970s, a chewy caramel-like candy, seemed harmless enough until its unfortunate name became synonymous with the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. The association made it impossible to continue selling, but even if the name hadn’t been an issue, promoting weight loss with candy could raise serious concerns about misleading health claims today.
3. Lawn Darts (Jarts)
Who didn’t have a set of these sharp, metal-tipped darts in their backyard? While they were marketed as family fun, they turned out to be incredibly dangerous, causing countless injuries. Parents today would be outraged at such an obviously hazardous product, and social media would amplify calls for a recall before you could say, “duck!”
4. Lead-Based Toys and Paints
Many toys and household products of the past contained lead, from colorful paints to miniature soldiers. At the time, no one realized how dangerous lead exposure was, but today, the idea of letting kids anywhere near lead products would send parents into an uproar. Strict safety regulations make this a thing of the past.
5. Cigarette Ads Featuring Cartoons or Celebrities
Tobacco companies once used cartoon mascots like Joe Camel or movie stars to sell cigarettes, often indirectly targeting younger audiences. These ads, with their glamorous or playful appeal, would be deemed reckless and manipulative today, sparking widespread backlash and strict legal action.
6. Clackers (Glass Balls on a String)
This toy from the 1960s and ’70s consisted of two glass or hard plastic balls on a string that kids would slam together, creating a satisfying “clack.” Unfortunately, they had a tendency to shatter, sending shards flying everywhere. Parents today would lose their minds over such a safety hazard, and boycotts would ensure they were pulled from shelves immediately.
7. Mercury Thermometers
It was once routine to take your temperature with a thermometer containing mercury. If it broke, the liquid metal spilled everywhere, and kids were even fascinated by the mesmerizing substance. Today, with our understanding of mercury’s toxicity, these thermometers would cause panic, with demands for safer alternatives—and rightly so.
8. Skin-Lightening Creams
In the mid-20th century, many cosmetic companies sold skin-lightening creams marketed as a way to achieve “fair” or “beautiful” skin. The implicit message of these products, often loaded with harmful chemicals, would be seen as perpetuating colorism and unhealthy beauty standards today, drawing immediate criticism.
9. Asbestos Products
Asbestos was once a common material in everything from insulation to fireproof clothing. At the time, no one knew it was a deadly carcinogen. Today, the very mention of asbestos sparks alarm, and any company attempting to use it would face massive boycotts and legal battles.
10. Creepy Crawlers Toy Oven
This early toy let kids bake rubbery “bugs” using a mini-oven that heated up to dangerous temperatures. Burns and accidents were all too common, and no amount of fun would convince today’s parents to let their kids near something so risky. A toy with such blatant safety oversights would never fly now.
11. Sugar-Loaded Breakfast Cereals with Cartoon Mascots
Remember the sugary cereals with mascots practically begging kids to eat spoonfuls of pure sugar? Many of these cereals marketed directly to kids would spark backlash from parents and health advocates today for promoting unhealthy eating habits. Even colorful ads would be seen as manipulative.
12. Radium Products
In the early 20th century, radium was the height of “modern” science, used in everything from wristwatches to “health tonics.” Unbeknownst to anyone, radium was highly radioactive, leading to devastating health issues. Today, any product even hinting at radioactive materials would create widespread outrage and lawsuits.
13. Offensive Cartoon-Themed Drinking Glasses
Fast-food chains once released drinking glasses featuring beloved cartoon characters, some of which have aged poorly due to outdated or offensive depictions. An example includes glassware of Speedy Gonzalez, who may be seen as an offensive stereotype. Whether it was racial stereotypes or insensitive humor, these glasses would not be tolerated today, and any attempt to revive them would spark a backlash.
Looking back at these vintage products, it’s clear just how much times have changed. What once seemed harmless, fun, or even cutting-edge now feels shocking, unsafe, or outright inappropriate. These items remind us of a different era, one with far fewer regulations, less awareness, and cultural norms that often went unquestioned. While some of these products spark nostalgia, they also highlight how progress in safety, health, and inclusivity has shaped the way we approach what we buy and use today. It’s a fascinating journey through history—one that makes us appreciate how much we’ve learned and evolved.
