Advertising may get on your nerves in the here and now, but it can be a fascinating lens on how the world has changed. These ads from the 1930s-1950s show how advertising, and the world, has changed. Sometimes, but not always for the better. Spot the differences.
All images here are courtesy of the superb New York Transit Museum in downtown Brooklyn.
1. People used to assume that advertising was supposed to be useful.
This reminds me that in simpler times, advertising WAS useful.
2. And in fact, advertisers used to see it as their duty to fund stuff that people loved (and used advertising to remind them of the fact they’d done it.)
That is a good reason to change my brand of bread.
3. The design of many ads used to be truly BEAUTIFUL.
I am guessing Sunkist ads don't look this nice now.
4. Advertisers of the past were not afraid of wading into the gender war. (It’s a bit more subtle now, though no less pervasive.)
Is this powerfully political, or outrageously patronising? Hard to tell from these 8 words.
5. Health claims were not rigorously examined.
As a lifelong eczema sufferer, I can assure you that Cadium did not change the face of dermatology
6. But you were at least allowed to acknowledge that salt tastes nice.
I have no idea what this product tasted like. It doesn't sound great...
And, of course, doctors were allowed to tell the TRUTH about cigarettes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCMzjJjuxQI