Flipping through old magazines can feel like stepping into a time machine, revealing how different—and sometimes shocking—advertising used to be. From questionable health claims to outright bizarre visuals, these outrageous ads make us laugh, cringe, and shake our heads in disbelief. Let’s take a look at 13 magazine ads that truly left an impression, for better or worse.
1. DuPont Nylon Stockings Ads
DuPont’s early nylon stocking ads compared the material’s strength to steel, with some over-the-top visuals like women pulling cars with their stockings. Sure, nylons are tough, but they’re not that tough.
2. The Lucky Strike “Physicians Recommend” Ad
In the 1930s and ’40s, Lucky Strike ran ads claiming doctors endorsed their cigarettes as the “healthier” choice. Yes, they really tried to sell smoking as good for you—because “20,679 physicians” said so.
3. Palmolive’s “Keeps Your Man Happy” Campaign
Palmolive soap ads in the 1950s suggested that women’s primary goal should be keeping their husbands pleased, with slogans like “Let him see his favorite girl!” because apparently clean skin was all it took to maintain marital bliss.
4. 7-Up for Babies
An ad from the 1950s encouraged mothers to give their babies 7-Up, claiming it was perfectly safe for children under one. “For a happier child, start them on soda early!” is advice that’s downright shocking today.
5. The Vibrating Belt Weight Loss Machine
Fitness ads in the mid-20th century often featured vibrating belts that supposedly melted away fat without any effort. The magazine images of people casually standing around “exercising” were both funny and outrageously misleading.
6. The Lysol Feminine Hygiene Ad
Yes, Lysol. In the early 20th century, Lysol was marketed to feminine hygiene use, with ads warning that a woman could lose her husband’s affection if she didn’t stay “fresh.” Not only was this insulting—it was dangerous.
7. The “Fat Is a Feminist Issue” Ad
Ads for weight loss products, like AYDS appetite suppressants, often framed dieting as a way to achieve personal and societal worth. One particularly outrageous ad suggested women should diet to win their man’s approval.
8. Blatz Beer for Nursing Mothers
A 1940s ad for Blatz Beer told mothers that a cold one would help their milk production. It showed a happy baby and smiling mom, with the text implying beer was part of a healthy breastfeeding diet.
9. The Ironized Yeast Pills for “Skinny” Girls
Women who were naturally thin were once targeted by ads claiming they could “gain desirable weight” by taking ironized yeast pills. These before-and-after photos were outrageously staged and downright laughable.
10. “More Doctors Smoke Camels”
Another cigarette ad that tried to make smoking seem health-conscious, this one proclaimed Camels were the preferred brand of medical professionals. It’s as outrageous as it is dangerous in hindsight.
11. The “Good Wife’s Guide” Vacuum Cleaner Ad
Vacuum ads in the 1950s and ’60s often depicted husbands buying their wives appliances as “the perfect gift.” These were paired with smiling women implying they were thrilled to receive a tool for housework.
12. Radium in Beauty Products
Early 20th-century ads touted radium-infused face creams and powders as the secret to glowing skin—literally. These products were marketed as luxurious, even though we now know the health risks were catastrophic.
These outrageous ads remind us how much advertising has evolved over time. While they’re often unintentionally funny today, they also serve as a fascinating (and sometimes unsettling) look at the values, misconceptions, and creativity of the past.
