The point of an advertisement is to sell a product; that’s how it’s always been. But how companies choose to capture customers’ attention has evolved greatly over the years. And if you’re interested in getting a blast from the past, this list will instantly transport you back to the 20th century’s most amusing marketing campaigns.
We took a trip to the Vintage Advertisements subreddit and gathered some of their best posts below. While some of these ads are still brilliant, others wouldn’t go over quite as well today. But they’re all entertaining! So enjoy scrolling through, and be sure to upvote the ones that you can’t believe were featured in magazines or on television decades ago.
#1 We All Got Vaccines, Except Dad
Image source: Ebonystealth
#2 Between You, Your Husband And Your Senator, Planned Parenthood, 1982
Image source: Slow-moving-sloth
#3 What I Like & Don’t Like In A Woman – Bill Blass Perfume Ad 1983
Image source: CryptographerKey2847
Nowadays, it’s almost impossible to go more than a few minutes without seeing an ad. Whether you’re reading an article online, scrolling through Instagram, walking down the street, or shopping for groceries, you’re going to be bombarded with commercials and advertisements everywhere you go. In fact, it’s estimated that people notice around 100 advertisements every single day, though some believe that we’re exposed to thousands on any given day.
That doesn’t mean that we actually remember all of the marketing we see, though. 41% of Americans say that they only remember between 1% and 10% of the ads they’ve seen in the last 24 hours. And over a quarter of individuals note that they’re never persuaded by the ads that they see.
#4 Oprah Winfrey, Unforgettable Woman, Revlon, 1989
Image source: Slow-moving-sloth
#5 My First Day With Stayfree. 1970s
Image source: muskyraconteur
#6 McDonald’s Advertisement From 1997
Image source: joe3000s
When it comes to what kinds of advertisements Americans are interested in, over half say they would prefer to see marketing that makes them laugh or that entertains them. And Digital Silk reports that 46% of adults say they find advertisements on television and print to be trustworthy, while the vast majority of people are skeptical of ads they spot on social media.
In the United States, 41% of consumers say that they find TV commercials to be relevant to them. And over half of Americans would prefer to watch a television show with product placement than watch a program with traditional commercial breaks. 40% of people are also annoyed with all of the ads they see online, and over a third get frustrated when they see ads based on their search history.
#7 In 1962, Bette Davis Published This Advertisement In Variety
Image source: femboy66pu
#8 1950s Ad For New Home
Image source: JayA_Tee
#9 Dad, You’ve Got To Help Me! Responsible Drinking Message From Seagram Company Ltd, 1987
Image source: Slow-moving-sloth
There’s no question that companies have had to adapt their approaches to advertising as technology has advanced. But since this list is full of vintage ads, we’ll take a journey back in time to see just what marketing was like in the 20th century. Simplicity notes that there was a significant shift in marketing between 1900 and 1920 because of how the world was changing. Suddenly, companies could reach consumers on a broader scale, through radio ads and moving picture ads.
#10 I’ve Robbed The Rainbow To Make You Gay. Jester Wools
Image source: Ebonystealth
#11 Don’t Let That Cold Stop You. Use Minipoo. Late 50s Early 60s
Image source: Ebonystealth
#12 1939 Children’s Laxative Ad
Image source: CryptographerKey2847
After 1920, the “Mad Men” era of advertising began. During this time, ads were all about selling the American dream, personal aspiration, and status. Advertising also started to manipulate consumers’ emotions to sell more products. And companies caught on to the idea that racy photos and beautiful women could lead to a huge increase in sales.
#13 David Bowie For America’s Libraries. Ad Campaign From 1987
Image source: joe3000s
#14 United Airlines – 1976
Image source: RetroMan70s
#15 Only Fans 1957
Image source: adamlm
Then there was the “Post-War Boom” after 1940. This era of advertising was focused on targeting homeowners, while brands started thinking about retaining customers long-term. Televisions also started becoming more common in everyday Americans’ homes, so TV commercials became an incredibly effective way of marketing products.
#16 1972.groovy Toilet Seats From Sears
Image source: CryptographerKey2847
#17 “I Suffered From Menstrual Cramps.” – 1968 Femicin Ad
Image source: Ebonystealth
#18 Now She Can Cope…medical Journal Ad, 1965
Image source: Ebonystealth
Next came the age of innovation. During the 1960s and 1970s, companies started getting more creative with their commercials. They could advertise on TV in color, and some commercials even started to feature celebrities. Offering coupons also became a popular direct marketing strategy, and being featured in a national ad could make an actor even more famous than being in films!
#19 1987 Mcdonald’s Ad
Image source: ComplexWrangler1346
#20 Got Milk Ads From 1999
Image source: Djf47021
#21 Only Bugles Remain
Image source: Adventure_tom
As technology advanced rapidly between 1980 and 2000, marketing agencies had to evolve as well. Suddenly, they had to learn how to advertise on the internet, while e-commerce started to change the way consumers purchased anything and everything. And today, of course, we’re in the era of social media marketing. From influencers swearing by certain products that have sponsored them to your Instagram feed being flooded with ads, it’s impossible to avoid commercials today.
#22 Battleship (1967)
Image source: NYY15TM
#23 Lightboy For Use With Nintendo Game Boy (1990)
Image source: reddit.com
#24 LEGO Ad (1980)
Image source: Internal-Horror896
Are you enjoying this list of iconic vintage advertisements, pandas? Keep upvoting the ones that you find particularly entertaining, and let us know in the comments below what the most clever ads you’ve ever seen were. Then, if you’d like to check out another Bored Panda article featuring retro ads, we’ve got the perfect list to read next right here!
#25 Wake Up Gay In The Morning!!!!!
Image source: ThePurpleUFO
#26 Sears Men’s Fashion 1960’s
Image source: dogbytes
#27 “He’s A Tough And Rugged Little Guy With A Look You Have To Love.” My Buddy From Hasbro, 1985
Image source: muskyraconteur
#28 Vote For The New M&M’s Color, 1995
Image source: painterlyway
#29 Peter Pain Was Ben-Gay’s Villainous Mascot From 1942-1965. This Ad On A 93-Year-Old NYC Subway Train Elicited A Lot Of Snickers From Today’s Passengers
Image source: AmandaMarsh
#30 Exclusive Prelubricated Tip Makes Insertion Easy And Medically Correct [1950s]
Image source: ThePurpleUFO
#31 Print Ad For The Dynamite Underwear Line By Munsingwear From 1973
Image source: CryptographerKey2847
#32 Bradley Group Showers (1965)
Image source: Unusual_Memory3133
#33 Maybelline’s Kissing Potion (1981)
Image source: reddit.com
#34 Homosexuals Are Different, Mattachine Society Of New York, 1960
Image source: CryptographerKey2847
#35 1944 Life Savers Hard Candy Advertising
Image source: CryptographerKey2847
#36 Meet Fred Flintstone And Barney Rubble At The Catonville Supermart (1969)
Image source: Ebonystealth
#37 Budweiser 1950s
Image source: nina_ballerina
#38 Ad For Mcdonald’s Breakfast From 1977
Image source: Hooverpaul
#39 Shirley Simkins And Sally Hayes, Lfersavers, 1957
Image source: Ebonystealth
#40 Care To Take A Chance?
Image source: Character-Witness-27
#41 Tupac And Jada Pinkett Smith In An Ad For Mondawmin Mall In 1987
Image source: Djf47021
#42 1985 Efficol Cough Whip
Image source: Sincerely_JaneDoe
#43 1950s Cardboard Grocery Store Standee For Donald Duck Orange Juice!
Image source: AxlCobainVedder
#44 Hydrox Throwing Shade At Oreos (1954)
Image source: Ebonystealth
#45 1967 – Rice Council Of America Trying To Win The Hearts Of The “Meat And Potatoes” Crowd
Image source: mistermajik2000
#46 KitchenAid [1954]
Image source: GumbyWeinstein
#47 Wendy’s Pick-Up Cup, 1985
Image source: Key-Cycle7978
#48 Grace Jones Honda Scooter Advert From 1984
Image source: HelloSlowly
#49 Introducing Twiggy Lashes By Yardley (1967)
Image source: Adventure_tom
#50 1968 Hangman Bicycle Sissy Bar
Image source: Ebonystealth
#51 Bike Pipe 1980
Image source: effron_vintage
#52 I Found A Teenager’s Jewelry Box Decoupaged With Ads (1970)
Image source: Frankie2059
#53 Ad From An Issue Of Popular Science Magazine Telling People To Burn Their Old Batteries Because The Burning Zinc May Help Clean Your Chimney. Also, Colorful Flames. 1951
Image source: Lepke2011
#54 Virginia Slims Promotional Sewing Needles I Found In My Mom’s Sewing Supplies
Image source: PersephoneInSpace
#55 Duracell Powercheck (1996)
Image source: reddit.com
#56 1949 Formica
Image source: Ebonystealth
#57 “She Wondered Why He Lost Interest So Quickly” – It Was B.o., Lifebuoy Ad
Image source: CV880
#58 Salon Selectives (1987)
Image source: reddit.com
#59 Who Is Getting That Half-Cherry? (1950s)
Image source: Ebonystealth
#60 1970s Jeno’s Before They Were Totino’s Pizza Rolls
Image source: vanhouten_greg
#61 A 1920s Peerless Ice Cream Advert
Image source: blancolobosBRC
#62 Jnco Jeans, 1998
Image source: StephenMcGannon
#63 Sears Open Hearth Family Room Furniture Ad, 1977
Image source: UrbanAchievers6371
#64 Mebaral, 1959
Image source: CelebManips
#65 The Princess Telephone. Bell Telephone Systems (1960)
Image source: Ebonystealth
#66 1920s Orange Crush Advertisement
Image source: NoDoctor4460
#67 1977 Kmart Back-To-School Ad
Image source: reddit.com
#68 Burger King, 2002
Image source: algebramclain
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