50 Bizarre Vintage Ads That Are A History Lesson About Changing Cultural Norms

It can be flabbergasting to fully realize just how different things were in the past. Take advertisements as an example. They are ubiquitous in this day and age, and the industry is huge. But aside from the odd scandal here and there, they more or less make sense in terms of the message and art direction.

However, when you look at ads from the past through a modern lens, you realize just how much cultural attitudes have shifted over the decades and centuries. Our team at We has compiled this list of weird vintage ads to show you just how bizarre, unusual, and even socially tone-deaf promotions used to look. Keep scrolling for a mind-blowing visual history and marketing lesson.

#1 We All Got Vaccines, Except Dad

#2 Between You, Your Husband And Your Senator, Planned Parenthood, 1982

#3 Jester Wools (1947, UK)

It would be an understatement to say that the advertising market is big. It’s phenomenally large.

As per Statista, it is forecasted to reach a whopping $1.17 trillion worldwide in 2025. The biggest segment of this market is TV and video advertising, clocking in at roughly $357.4 billion in 2025.

The United States is in first place in terms of ad spending. This is projected to reach $466.34 billion.

#4 1967 Advertisement For A Chemical Lobotomy

#5 This Child Looks Like Pure Evil

#6 For A Better Start In Life, Start Cola Earlier

Statista states that it’s predicted that the vast majority (82.2%) of all ad spending will come from digital sources in half a decade, in 2030.

In the ad market, digital platforms such as Google and Facebook dominate spending. This has been reshaping the global landscape of traditional media.

#7 1950s Ad

#8 Eat Ironized Yeast (1930s)

#9 Did Not Age Well

The main factors that have been driving growth in the ad market include things such as the increasing number of internet users, higher marketing budgets, as well as the growing consumption of media.

At the same time, GDP growth and inflation have also impacted the market’s growth.

#10 Do You Still Beat Your Wife? 1950s

#11 Wonder Sauna Hot Pants, 1970s

#12 Nobody Who Loves Bare-As-You-Dare Fashions Looks Dressed Without It! Body Paint, C1970

One major part of the ad market is social media advertising. It’s expected to reach $275.98 billion in 2025.

Furthermore, it is projected to grow at around 11.71% annually, to a predicted volume of $480.07 billion by 2030, Statista notes. The majority of social media ad spending will happen in the United States, reaching an estimated $103.07 billion in 2025.

#13 Dr. Miles Nervine, 1941

#14 To Wake Up Gay In The Morning (1940s)

#15 Keep Baby Safe

It’s likely that 82.9% of social media ad spending will be generated through mobile sources by 2030. By the same year, it’s estimated that there will be around a whopping 6.61 billion users in the social media advertising market.

Statista explains that social media advertising is “increasingly leveraging advanced algorithms to enhance targeting precision and improve user engagement across diverse platforms.”

#16 The Most Inappropriate Ad Of All Time. 1975

#17 Cellophane (1954): Better Living Through Chemistry

#18 Cook And Wash On Your Refrigerator! 1952

Increasingly, consumers are favoring personalized and authentic content on social media. This encourages brands to change their strategies and focus on relatability and transparency in their marketing.

Brands are also leaning more toward social responsibility, sustainability, and community engagement in their advertising.

Furthermore, short-form videos (i.e. bite-sized, engaging entertainment) are becoming increasingly popular, especially with younger demographics.

Statista reports that there’s a “notable shift” toward content that is interactive and ephemeral. In other words, brands are trying to engage with consumers in real time.

#19 Black Racist Stereotypes Used In A Elliott’s Paint And Varnish Company Advertisement, 1935

#20 1800’s Soap Ad

#21 This Little Psychopath Is Really Enjoying His Van Camp’s Pork And Beans (1952)

The social media ad market isn’t uniform. There are significant differences depending on the region and country you look at.

For example, influencers are becoming more and more central to marketing strategies, especially in North America. Influencers use their authenticity in order to build trust with consumers.

However, across the globe, in Asia, social media platforms are enhancing user experience and engagement via augmented reality ad formats.

Meanwhile, in Europe, brands are focusing on transparency, data privacy, responsibility, and ethical advertising.

#22 1916 Kellogg’s Toasted Corn Flakes Ad

#23 Gillette Razors 1950’s

#24 Grove’s Chill Tonic (1890s)

In the US, data-driven strategies are fundamental in the social media ad space, including using artificial intelligence algorithms to personalize content.

But, say, in China, ads are strictly regulated, and so, brands use short video formats to create campaigns that resonate culturally.

In Japan, storytelling in ads comes to the forefront, mixing tradition and technology, and heritage and modernity.

And in the United Kingdom, there’s a focus on sustainability and ethical advertising.

#25 Iver Johnson Revolvers, Before 1907

#26 7up: Why We Have The Youngest Customers In The Business

#27 Suits For Contortionists (Cricketeer Suits, 1972)

Harvard Business Review warns that focusing on eye-catching and creative advertisements can lead to poor marketing choices. Instead, you should focus on the ADPLAN framework to develop your ads so they resonate with your target audience. ADPLAN stands for attention, distinction, positioning, linkage, amplification, and net equity:

Attention refers to what is interesting about your idea that will make people stop and notice itDistinction means understanding your brand voice and image, and how it compares to your competitors’ marketingPositioning alludes to the value and benefits that your product offers, beyond just entertainmentLinkage suggests that you should focus on getting the point of your brand across to your audience, so they don’t get distracted and remember itAmplification refers to the positive reactions that you want your advertisement to createNet equity means that you should think about whether your ads reinforce the meaning and characteristics that your consumers already associate with your brand #28 1916 Ad For Wire Mosquito Netting Mask

#29 Please Let You Wife Come In The Living Room. Highpoint (1950s)

#30 Diamond Dyes Ca 1880’s

Which of these vintage ads surprised or took you aback the most? Which ones genuinely shocked you with how insensitive or bizarre they are? How do you think cultural attitudes and ads are likely to change in the decades to come? What do you personally think are the best and worst ads to be released in recent years?

Let us know what you think in the comments below!

#31 Rainier Beer: Beneficial To Young And Old

#32 Shirley Simkins And Sally Hayes, Lifersavers, 1957

#33 V-8 Vegetable Juice 1950’s

#34 Old Spice. 1980

#35 Mccleans Toothpaste 1971

#36 Drummond Sweaters

#37 Can’t Get Tired Of The 50’s

#38 Milton Bradley Shrunken Head Sculpting Kit (1975)

#39 Racist Advertisement Represents A Black Boy Becoming White Thanks To Pears Soap’s “Magic” Based On The Fable Washing The Blackamoor White, Published In The Graphic For Christmas, 1884