The world of advertising is utterly fascinating. Sure, being bombarded by ads every single moment throughout your day can be annoying. But if they’re genuinely creative and informative, then you might just stop and look. Even if you don’t plan on buying the product or service, you can allow yourself to be entertained. 

The r/vintageads online community is a wonderful niche on the internet. There, you’ll find interesting examples of what advertisements used to look like decades and decades ago. Some of them seem goofy and even downright weird in the eyes of modern audiences. Though they seem simply baffling, they give us a glimpse into bygone eras and the values and behaviors of people living in the past. Scroll down to check out the best and strangest the vintage world has to offer.

Bored Panda was interested in finding out more about giving ads greater longevity, as well as what current trends in advertising look like, so we reached out to marketing psychology speaker Matt Johnson, Ph.D., the host of the human nature blog. You'll find his insights as you read on.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Honestly The Graffiti Is Better

Honestly The Graffiti Is Better

burgermiester288 Report

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#2

Man Looking For A Wife In 1865

Man Looking For A Wife In 1865

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#3

Kikkoman Soy Sauce Promotional Matches (1950s?)

Kikkoman Soy Sauce Promotional Matches (1950s?)

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#4

Mental Health Help Service In 1991 X-Men Comic

Mental Health Help Service In 1991 X-Men Comic

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#5

I've Robbed The Rainbow To Make You Gay. Jester Wools

I've Robbed The Rainbow To Make You Gay. Jester Wools

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#6

1960 Flintstones Advertising Sponsored By Winston

1960 Flintstones Advertising Sponsored By Winston

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#7

When I’m 64

When I’m 64

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#8

The Shirt Suit Supreme

The Shirt Suit Supreme

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#9

In The 1950s, Antidepressants Were Marketed Primarily Towards Housewives And Their Husbands To Ensure Household Tasks Weren't Neglected

In The 1950s, Antidepressants Were Marketed Primarily Towards Housewives And Their Husbands To Ensure Household Tasks Weren't Neglected

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#10

Unpleasant Odour Is Caused By Underarm Hair (1930s)

Unpleasant Odour Is Caused By Underarm Hair (1930s)

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#11

The Love Rug. 1973

The Love Rug. 1973

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#12

Cottonelle Colored Toilet Paper (1982)

Cottonelle Colored Toilet Paper (1982)

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#13

Backyard Star Wars Playset

Backyard Star Wars Playset

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duncancmccann avatar
Panda McPandaface
Panda McPandaface
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

C'mon, you know we'd all have given our right arm to have one when we were kids.

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#14

In The 1950s, Antidepressants Were Marketed Primarily Towards Housewives And Their Husbands To Ensure Household Tasks Weren't Neglected

In The 1950s, Antidepressants Were Marketed Primarily Towards Housewives And Their Husbands To Ensure Household Tasks Weren't Neglected

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#15

French Ad For The Amc Pacer, 1975

French Ad For The Amc Pacer, 1975

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#16

A Terrifying Way To Start Your Day: Post's Sugar Krinkles

A Terrifying Way To Start Your Day: Post's Sugar Krinkles

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#17

Dad, You've Got To Help Me! Responsible Drinking Message From Seagram Company Ltd, 1987

Dad, You've Got To Help Me! Responsible Drinking Message From Seagram Company Ltd, 1987

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#18

They All Got The Vaccine.. Except Dad, 1958

They All Got The Vaccine.. Except Dad, 1958

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#19

Asbestos Ad, 1970s

Asbestos Ad, 1970s

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#20

Don't Smoke, Live Long And Prosper, 1989

Don't Smoke, Live Long And Prosper, 1989

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#21

Daihatsu Hijet Ad From 1996

Daihatsu Hijet Ad From 1996

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#22

Modern Home Floor Plan, Sears 1934 Catalog

Modern Home Floor Plan, Sears 1934 Catalog

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#23

Remember Wendy’s Tables?

Remember Wendy’s Tables?

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#24

Meanwhile, In Florida Public School History Books

Meanwhile, In Florida Public School History Books

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#25

If You Lived In The 70s Or 80s You Either Had One Of These Patterns Or Knew Someone Who Did

If You Lived In The 70s Or 80s You Either Had One Of These Patterns Or Knew Someone Who Did

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#26

In The 1970s, This Was A Clothing Store's Idea Of A "Chubby Girl."

In The 1970s, This Was A Clothing Store's Idea Of A "Chubby Girl."

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#27

Re-Groove Your Tyres

Re-Groove Your Tyres

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#28

In 1967 Philco Introduced A 4 Inch Vinyl Disc They Called 'Hip Pocket Records.' They Had A 'Hit' Song On Each Side And Sold For 69 Cents

In 1967 Philco Introduced A 4 Inch Vinyl Disc They Called 'Hip Pocket Records.' They Had A 'Hit' Song On Each Side And Sold For 69 Cents

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#29

Sugar Information Inc., 1964

Sugar Information Inc., 1964

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#30

Mcdonalds Onion Nuggets

Mcdonalds Onion Nuggets

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#31

Sears Men's Fashion 1960's

Sears Men's Fashion 1960's

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#32

Wheel Ants?

Wheel Ants?

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#33

1998 Milk Ad With Conan O'brien

1998 Milk Ad With Conan O'brien

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#34

I'm Pretty Sure Everyone Had One Of These

I'm Pretty Sure Everyone Had One Of These

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#35

McDonald's Mcdonaldland Glasses, 1975

McDonald's Mcdonaldland Glasses, 1975

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#36

Jc Penney Ad, 1972

Jc Penney Ad, 1972

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#37

Buying A Concrete House Buys You Maximum Protection From Atomic Blasts

Buying A Concrete House Buys You Maximum Protection From Atomic Blasts

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#38

Glad This Is Laughable Today - Advertisement For Radio Drama Show Asking If Women Over 35 Can Be Loved

Glad This Is Laughable Today - Advertisement For Radio Drama Show Asking If Women Over 35 Can Be Loved

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#39

Gentlemen Prefer Hanes (1975)

Gentlemen Prefer Hanes (1975)

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#40

Shag Rug Rake

Shag Rug Rake

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#41

How Many Of You Jokers Had This Budweiser Poster In The Late 80s?

How Many Of You Jokers Had This Budweiser Poster In The Late 80s?

Quick_Presentation11 Report

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#42

Marlboro Cigarettes "You're Darn Tootin My Dad Smokes Marlboro", 1950

Marlboro Cigarettes "You're Darn Tootin My Dad Smokes Marlboro", 1950

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#43

Cricketeer Suit Ad From 1972

Cricketeer Suit Ad From 1972

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#44

Gain Weight With Ironized Yeast (1958)

Gain Weight With Ironized Yeast (1958)

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#45

Universal Food Chopper (1899)

Universal Food Chopper (1899)

Noviblue Report

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#46

Van Heusen Sport Shirts, 1951

Van Heusen Sport Shirts, 1951

DualCay0te Report

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#47

1974 Ford Thunderbird Burgundy Edition

1974 Ford Thunderbird Burgundy Edition

Quick_Presentation11 Report

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#48

On My First Kiss By Brooke Shields For Love's Baby Soft Fragrance, 1980

On My First Kiss By Brooke Shields For Love's Baby Soft Fragrance, 1980

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#49

1897 De Dion-Bouton Motor Trike

1897 De Dion-Bouton Motor Trike

Ebonystealth Report

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#50

A Walking Turn On. 1970s

A Walking Turn On. 1970s

tforbesabc Report

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