When we consider the last three or so years, this old ad for Lysol spray may not seem that farfetched. Weren’t many of us carrying around our own personal hand sanitizers and Lysol wipes just a few years ago? What goes around comes around because Lysol advertised its disinfectant spray as the hot new accessory for the summer back in 1972.
There are a few key differences between what we see in Lysol ads today and what was considered “normal” back then. This ad is obviously targeted directly at women, stay-at-home moms, to be specific. Even in the 70s, it was still assumed that women were the ones doing all the kin-keeping and housekeeping. The gender norms are strong in this ad
Carsual’s Horoscope Pants
We’re not exactly sure what’s happening in this advertisement, but we know it’s specifically made to sell these horrendous horoscope slacks. According to the ad, these are a pair of “action” pants. Whatever your agenda is, I’m sure it’ll be a lot more fun with a colorful pair of slacks!
The suggestive posing of the woman behind implies that these fancy slacks also serve as chick magnets. Seriously? What is it with advertisements for slacks and the absolute need to insinuate that these pants will get the ladies’ heads turning? Nonetheless, these screen-printed cotton and polyester blend guarantees that these pair of pants are styled for action!
So Fresh, So Kool
This penguin spraying mouthwash straight into his open beak looks absolutely insane. This ad for Kool cigarettes from the 1930s is arguing that smoking a cigarette is good for you if you feel under the weather. Why? Because their cigarettes have fresh, clean menthol in them! Forget Vicks VapoRub. It’s all about inhaling some toxic tobacco smoke into your lungs to achieve that sparkling menthol feel.
Although some people still smoke, we’re all more aware of the negative health effects that smoking can have on the body. Back then, cigarettes were presented as a health benefit. Perhaps the most insane thing about this ad is that Kool cigarettes are still marketed as a “true menthol experience” today. They leaned into the one good thing about smoking and ran with it, health concerns be darned!
Women Will Make Everything Clean (Even in the Outer Space)
Who can’t resist all the possibilities that the outer space bears? Scientists and experts have worked their way to uncover the mysteries of space. There had been explorations to the moon and studies of exoplanets. It has always been a way of getting out of Earth and see what lies outside.
Lo and behold this Lestoil Cleaner ad saying women can join the line of men as astronauts and rocket scientists. Look closer and see what’s so wrong about it. They want to hire women to “make the Moon a cleaner place to live.” Then again, the sexist mentality surfaces! We’re by far living the 21st century with less of this. Enough of it already.
Cigarette Ads Had Bad Taste
It seems that the 60s were the heyday for sexist advertising that depicted women as either mindless housewives or sex objects. The trend continued well into the 70s, as we can see from this Tipalet cigar ad. This cigarette ad employs a double entendre that we would never see in mainstream advertising today. It’s so visually and verbally degrading that many younger generations find it mind-boggling.
We don’t mean to yuck somebody’s yum, but we highly doubt very many people love cigarette smoke getting blown in their faces. What was viewed as humorous and suggestive back then is now considered extremely rude and offensive. Thankfully, there would be a huge uproar if an ad like this came out today.