In the fictional world of Mad Men, the advertising industry of yesteryear is witty, effortlessly cool and impossibly glamorous. Unfortunately, the adverts from that era and beyond don't seem quite as slick today.
In the days before strict laws governing the industry, advertisers could let their imaginations run wild - resulting in ads that are almost kitsch in their ignorance of political correctness, feminism and basic medical science (smoking, healthy? Sure). We've dug through the archives and unearthed some of the most entertaining adverts from the last century - with cheesy photos, hilarious slogans and bizarre products for you to chuckle over.
Click an image to view the ads in more detail.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Bad parenting tip number 1: Milk? No. Feed your newborn 'pure' 7up instead!
Entertaining Retro Ads
Bad parenting tip number 2: It's never too early to start shaving.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Now, if you were bald, would you really be getting this excited about a hairdryer?
Entertaining Retro Ads
We don't think we need to elaborate on this innuendo.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Our thoughts exactly.
Entertaining Retro Ads
If that's what "cutting loose" looks like, count us in.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Want better behaved children who achieve at school? Then be sure to plonk them in front of the TV.
Entertaining Retro Ads
A gourmet lunch for just 42 cents - yum.
Image: jbcurio
Entertaining Retro Ads
We wish our dreams looked like that.
Image: jbcurio
Entertaining Retro Ads
Proof that actors are a different breed altogether.
Image: jbcurio
Entertaining Retro Ads
Because you never know when you'll need to flee your burning house in your underwear...
Image: jbcurio
Entertaining Retro Ads
How we wish "Shirtin' With Danger" was a real song.
Image: jbcurio
Entertaining Retro Ads
Turns out it's actually soup men think about every seven seconds.
Image: jbcurio
Entertaining Retro Ads
We wouldn't be so "relaxed" with that waiter on duty.
Image: jbcurio
Entertaining Retro Ads
One food launch that sadly didn't stand the test of time.
Image: jbcurio
Entertaining Retro Ads
We'd be slightly irked if our bosses announced that too.
Image: jbcurio
Entertaining Retro Ads
A tragic tale of thwarted romance.
Image: jbcurio
Entertaining Retro Ads
A woman needs the correct tools if she's to fulfil her wifely obligations.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Erm...yes.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Listen in! The girls are talking about tampons. Who wouldn't want to miss this?
Entertaining Retro Ads
To douche or not to douche? Best consult the "modern woman's" guide to keeping "the delicate zone" fresh and clean.
Image: lobstar28
Entertaining Retro Ads
We wonder if Kellog's have the facts and figures to back up this bold claim. Probably not.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Polaroid Sunglassses do such a good job of shading your eyes, you can't even see that you've left the tags on.
Entertaining Retro Ads
A classic chat-up line from the 1970s - ideally delivered wearing an eye patch and carrying a parrot on your shoulder.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Look kids - even Santa does it.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Nothing sells hair accessories like a bodiless woman.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Another ad aimed at the douching lady, along with a coupon to claim a free "enlightening new booklet containing frank discussion of intimate physical facts". Surely essential reading.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Housewives - this is what happens if you don't use the right brand of coffee. Might be time to get a divorce.
Entertaining Retro Ads
This brand of liquid quinine (a drug used to treat malaria) has some interesting side effects...
Entertaining Retro Ads
A revolution in boxed tissue administration.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Cigarettes - they'll give you that nice throaty voice all singers aspire too.
Entertaining Retro Ads
How could anyone say no to this?
Entertaining Retro Ads
Clear instructions for women who want to get a Christmas present.
Entertaining Retro Ads
Woody Allen as you have never seen him before.
Entertaining Retro Ads
The perfect gift for modern mothers - a one way ticket to a smoking habit.
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