Unbelievable Old Newspaper Ads That Show Just How Times Have Changed

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John Summers • Contributor
Jun 28, 2024 9:00 PM EDT

Oh, how times have changed, and mostly for the better! Yes, I know it's easy to complain about how things used to be better and everything is terrible now, but that is just not true! Literally everything is better now—human rights, standards of living, healthcare, reduced crime rates, level of education—everything is better than it was in the last century. And that's a fact! Is the world perfect now? Absolutely not, but if you think you would have been better off fifty or a hundred years ago, you are just looking at reality through rose-tinted glasses.

One place you can easily see how far we have come is in old newspaper ads. Women were expected to do nothing but please their husbands, kids were fed horrific things, every other culture was a subject of ridicule, and smoking was considered not only cool but healthy! Take a look at these ads and tell me life used to be better.

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  • 01

    Salad dressing and canned peaches! Yum!

    Only Miracle Whip can make peaches taste so good! Miracle Whip was specially created to make even the simplest salads exciting. With just a peach half and a lettuce leaf, you have a wonderful salad when you use Miracle Whip. Miracle Whip tastes different because it is different. Kraft's secret recipe and exclusive beating process make it a unique type of dressing. combining the best qualities of good old-fashioned boiled dressing and fine mayonnaise. Liked by more people than any brand of salad
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  • 02

    Oh dear

    DIAMOND PYES It's easy to dye with DIAMOND DYES See Over
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  • 03

    Everybody was kung fu fighting

    Kickin' Jeans Don't Bind Your Legs! Card No. ONLY $1995 of Blue Oxni CHE $2.00 for clper stym, Exclusive Quaset in the crutch allows sams rate form MASTER CHARGE VISA CENRY Expleas TESCAPTION 20%DIS APLE PRE EACH TITAL Send Certified Check, Money Order, or Crane Card Number Personal checks will rest in a slight delay Century Martial Art Supply 3004 Del View Del Ory, OK 73115 SUB TOTAL WHOLESALE RATES AVAILABLE Shipping and Handling $2.55 Phone: (405) 631-473 Canadian Orders AM 30% TOTAL
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  • 04

    Don't mess with aunt Esther!

    WOMEN! Protect yourself with heavy duty AUNT ESTHER PURSES These purses are fortified with HEAVY leather! Muggers & thieves you better WATCH IT SUCKER! BROWN BOMBER Dark Brown Textured Leather, Buckle Straps NO. 223 $12.99 THE HANDBAGGER Brown Smooth Leather, Zip Pocket Under Flap NO. 154 PUCKER POPPER $1299 Black Leather, Single Gold Turn Clasp NO. 122 Watch Sanford & Son Friday Nights on NBC $14.99 THE SLAPJACK Black Smooth Leather, Zip Pocket Under Clasp Flap NO. 038 $11.99 THE PEACE MAKER Wh
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  • 05

    Do not(!) wrap your kids in cellophane!

    We wrapped these twins in Cellophane to prove our product keeps things fresh And if they could talk, they'd tell you... IT SURE DOES ! DU PONT Cellophane QU PONT BETTER THINGS FOR BETTER LIVING ROUGH CHEMISTRY
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  • 06

    Look, It's Adolf Ashtray

    2 3 A. The Terrible Trio... Fatso, Ratso and Japso... have fun dumping ashes in their faces...... Each 58c Set of 3 for $1.65 B. Ornamental Hotzi Notzie Pin- cushion..... Each 49c D. Triangular ...Kit $1.00 Pillow... $1.79 C⚫ Clever Animal Kits... for old and young alike... contain enough material to make one large and one small animal
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  • 07

    I don't know if "Face glove" is better

    MADAM ROWLEY'S TOILET MASK Trade-Mark Registered. The Toilet Mask or (Face Glove) in position to the face. To be Worn Three Times in the Week. (OR FACE GLOVE) Is used by ladies of refinement everywhere for beautifying and preserving the skin and removing complexional imperfections. It has been wonder- fully successful for 21 years at home and abroad. Made of pure and approved materials, it is recom- mended by well-known medical and scientific au- thorities. The Toilet Mask is the only time-teste
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  • 08

    Refreshing ice cold beef broth

    SOUP-ON-THE-ROCKS AFTER SPORTS New refreshing drink perks you up For Soup-on-the-Rocks helps to replenish the salt and liquid you've lost on the tennis court or golf course. Just pour Campbell's Beef Broth straight from the can over ice. It's a nourishing drink, yet low in calories. A refreshing drink that tastes good, too. When you come in from active sports, have this modern refresh- ment. You'll like it and feel better for it. Campbells Beef Broth-M'm! M'm! Good! CONDENSED Campbells BOUILLON)
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  • 09

    A little too clear

    For Hi-Fi Recording SONY NOW THE DIFFERENCE IS PERFECTLY CLEAR. As you can see, you can see through Sony's new audio tapes. But that's not all that's new about Sony's new tape range. technology" greatly improves sensitivity and widens dynamic range. So with Sony tapes, you'll not only see a They sound like nothing you've ever heard difference, you'll SONY before. Sony's state of the art "special dispersion hear a difference. True sound time after time. HF90 For Super Hi-Fi Music SONY HFS90 SONY
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  • 10

    He is staring into my soul

    the joy of Good Eating Heat Cat Van Camps PORK BEANS Stokely's Finest Enjoy The best luck of the day is yours with Van Camp's. Delicious...just as they come... or when you heat-eat-enjoy them for quick meals, picnics, parties. SUGAR PEAS FRESH PICKED FRESH PACKED FRESH TASTING New packs of peas... with all the sweetness of the summer... now at your grocer's. Make your shelves gay... full of promise of good eating... by stocking up on Stokely's Finest Honey Pod Peas today. Enjoy the Garry Moore S
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  • 11

    Get slim by eating sugar!

    Sure-I love Sugar. But I'm watching my weight! You need Sugar for energy! And even 3 teaspoons of Domino Sugar contain fewer calories than your apple! Pounds Net W Domino Pure Cane Sugar Extra Fine Granulated American Sugar Refing Company It's smart to stay slim and trim and get Domino's "Energy Lift" too!
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  • 12

    Make your own coffee mister!

    Husband Pleasing Coffee Expertly blended. Roasted so patiently. Precision- ground at the roasting ovens to avoid the flavor- stealing lumps and powder in store-ground blends. And the deep flavor stirs, then bursts into life.. Whatever your taste, whatever his taste, Acme makes the great coffee to match. You should have coffee so good. You always will-here. Shop ACME MARKETS CAPA ACME Wincrest COFFEE COFFEE IDEAL COFFEE REGULAR SEBULAR RIN IDEAL because you like it hearty ACME because you like it
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  • 13

    Does cancer count?

    It's what's up front that counts FILTER-BLEND up front, ahead of a pure white filter, is the real heart of Winston's big taste difference. Rich, golden tobaccos specially selected and specially processed for good filter smoking. Yes, Winston's got it up front. Smoke Winston. KINGD SIZE Winston Winston WINSTON TASTES GOOD like a cigarette should!
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  • 14

    Oh cheezus

    Everyday potatoes taste special when you Cheez Whiz 'em! Into the heart of a split, hot baked potato spoon a big swirl of Kraft's Cheet Whit. That golden goodness will melt right in...potting fine cheese flavor though and through. Garnish 'em with a sprig of parsley. This is just one of decres of fat cheese treats with Kraft's Checa Whir Spoon it onto hot foods Heat it for cheese ce! Speed it for sucks! Cheez KRAFT Cha Whiz PRIZES PROCESS C Golden wgets In a son boat Chee Wi aver very low heat.
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  • 15

    The inventor of the pizza is spinning in his grave

    3 MINUTES AGO, THIS HOT PIZZA SNACK WAS JUST A SLICE OF BREAD. d'n heat, Libby's Libby Libby' Spread Libby' ubby? spread'n heat Pizza Pizza flavored spread Slices TM Sprea Sliced Now you can turn a slice of bread, an English muffin, or a biscuit into a delicious hot pizza snack with Libby's new Spread'n Heat Pizza It's all spiced. Ready to spread. Just add a sprinkle of cheese, heat and eat in less than 3 minutes. And every little can spreads 7 slices of bread with your favorite pizza flavor. Ch
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  • 16

    Basically, just put ketchup on everything

    THE SATURDAY EVENING POST HOW TO PLEASE A HUSBAND ONE OF THE 57 THAT husband of yours isn't unrea sonable. You'll find him perfectly satisfied-even delighted-with simple, inexpensive foods, provided only that they are prepared in tasty, appetizing ways. That's why thoughtful house wives are never without a bottle of rich, zestful Heinz Tomato Ketchup. A dash or so adds marvelous savor to pot roasts, stews and hashes. And, of course, tender steaks and chops taste all the better when this tempting
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  • 17

    Y...yes! Why is this a question?!

    Is it always illegal TO KILL A WOMAN? For Sex MONTHS I bend the ears of the home office to get a postage meter. I win... Then the only good, fast, dependable, honest-to-Gregg stenographer I got, this redhead Morissey-halks at a postage meter! "I have no mechanical aptitude. Machines mis me up, kind of," she says. As if we asked her to fly a P-40 I almost blow my top. This postage meter, I explain, is modern, more efficient, a time saver... No more adhesive stamps No stamp box, and who's got the
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  • 18

    Why is everyone so violent?!

    "I'll Learn Yez" SUBSTITUTE Said the Cook to the Clerk- Didn't I tell you never to send me anything but Kellogg's when I order Hollogg's TOASTED TOASTED CORN FLAKES CORN "WON ITS FAVOR THROUGH ITS FLAVOR CRISP, DELICIOUS THE PACKAGE OF THE GENUINE BEARS THIS SIGNATURE W. K. Kellogg TOASTED CORN FLAKE CO., Battle Creek, Mich. Canadian Trade Supplied Exclusively by the BATTLE CREEK TOASTED CORN FLAKE CO.. Ltd. London. Ont. Cat 1900 by Toasted Corn Flake Co. Battle Creek Wish FLAKES Vck. Kellogg TO
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  • 19

    "We're never coming to your house again, Laura"

    LET'S HAVE A PRUNE PARTY Win their hearts with prune tarts Just yummy, Mummy! A delicious, healthy way to satisfy that yearning for sweets. Wonderful California prunes are fairly bursting with energy, iron, vitamins and minerals. To make delicious, decorative prune tarts just use your favorite prune whip recipe. Pour into tart shells and top with whole prunes, stuffed with almonds. prunes are oh-so easy... PRUNE JUICE PRUNES PRUNES ready cooked and ready to serve from jars or cans prune juice to
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  • 20

    Oh how times have changed

    ye Indians are hungry tonight! Be a friendly Pilgrim and serve your little tribe a real turkey dinner. Besides tender slices of succulent turkey, there's old-fashioned dressing, fresh-tasting peas, and mashed potatoes. Expensive? Indeed, no! Just tastes expensive! thank goodness for Banquet frozen foods Banquet Turkey DINNER Banquet Beef DINNER Banquet Fried Chicken DINNER Banquet Ham DINNER
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  • 21

    This looks so appetizing!

    Complete spaghetti dinner with the sauce all made: 1. Spaghetti Sauce all made with the Chef's touch in it. 10 full ounces of complete sauce with lots of meat (or mushrooms) Nothing else to buy. Saves time-work- money! 2. Cheese lots of it. Aged and grated with the flavor of Italy in every sprinkle. BOY-AR-DEE Grated Cheese Che BOY-AR-DEE SPAGHETTI SAUCE WITH MEAT 3. Spaghetti- a full 8 ounces-cooks up quick and tender. Y-AR-DEE HETTI Chef BOY-AR-DEE Spaghetti Dinner Sauce Meat WITH CHEF BOY-AR-
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  • 22

    What would a wife do without the colonel?

    Wife-savers Colonel Sanders is a woman's best friend. The Colonel's the man who fixes Sunday dinner seven days a week. For weary wives. For working wom- en. All you do is pick it up. Boxes, buckets and barrels full of finger lickin' good chicken and all the trim- mings. It's ready to go in minutes at over 1700 locations. Colonel Sanders" Kentucky Fried Chicken... mother's little helper. "It's finger lickin' good." COLONEL SANDERS RECIPE Kentucky Fried Chicken. Kentucky Fried Chicken Kentucky Chi
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  • 23

    We have gas and we love it!

    Gas the magic of INSTANT hot water! At the turn of a tap, day or night, everyday and everywhere. Gas and only gas can meet your every hot water need-instantly. economically, endlessly-without waste, without work, without waiting! You'll bless the day Gas came to stay! bound by the C Cou 35
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  • 24

    Please stop

    7p 7PP MIT LADIES HOME D Watch "Soldiers of Fortune" For exciting adventure, see this 7-Up TV show every week. Coats by The Se-Up C Avoid Imitations served from taps or cup-machines. Seven-Up is sold in bottles only. 7UP Why we have the youngest customers in the business This young man is 11 months old-and he isn't our youngest customer by any means. For 7-Up is so pure, so wholesome, you can even give it to babies and feel good about it. Look at the back of a 7-Up bottle. Notice that all our in
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  • 25

    How to take the taste out of your lunch

    How to take the Labor out of the Labor Day Week End Hamburgers Swift's Premium ALL BEEF SWIFT QUALITY FOOD
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  • 26

    Ok... But why though?!

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  • 27

    Hey... you do you

    Like son, like father. Like daughter, like mother. Like millions of people, you can start your day off a little better with JOHNSON'S Baby Powder. There's nothing like giving yourself the fresh, clean, dry feeling babies have been getting for years. And there's no age limit when it comes to staying cool, comfortable and well-cared-for with JOHNSON'S Baby Powder. Gets everyone off to a good start. Johnson-Johnson Johnson's baby powder | | Johnn
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  • 28

    So safe!

    Keep Baby SAFE with a "Lull-A-Baby" Car Hammock Baby constantly visible; rear view vision not impaired, SAFEST, MOST COMFORTABLE CAR BED EVER MADE FITS ANY HARDTOP CAR ONE-MINUTE INSTALLATION YOU CAN PURCHASE A "LULL-A-BABY" CAR HAM- MOCK FROM YOUR LOCAL DEALER OR PURCHASE IT AT S18 Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey, California, RETAILS FOR ONLY $6.95 on the Monterey Peninsula. 460 SEARS 3 PCBKM Auto Strap for front-seat tots $188 Guards your child as you're busy driving through traffic. Lets him sit,
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