Getting an old magazine or newspaper is a fantastic way to start exploring the past. See how people once used their language, what was included, and excluded. Memorizing events is all fine and dandy, but these don’t actually show how people would approach everyday life. Advertisements are a great way to approach what people liked and wanted. 

Through the magic of the internet, we now are able to catalog and share all sorts of ads from the past online. So prepare to look into a different time as you scroll through, be sure to upvote our favorites and comment your thoughts on these truly vintage ads below. 

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Advertisement For Bacardi Rum Warning Against The Dangers Of Drunk Driving (1986)

Vintage ad featuring bottle caps from Coca Cola, Pepsi, and Bacardi, highlighting creative old marketing styles.

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    #2

    Man Looking For A Wife In 1865

    Vintage ad text from Maine features a young man's unique search for a wife.

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    #3

    They All Got The Vaccine.. Except Dad, 1958

    Creative vintage ad showing a family visiting a man in an iron lung, highlighting the importance of polio vaccination.

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    #4

    Ray Ban 1998 Ad

    Vintage Ray-Ban ad featuring a smiling couple wearing sunglasses under a clear blue sky.

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    #5

    When I’m 64

    Vintage Crayola ad featuring a box of 64 crayons with built-in sharpener, highlighting creative advertising.

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    #6

    Remember Digging Through The Entertainment Section Of The Newspaper To Find The Movie Listings?

    Vintage cinema ad featuring movies like Jaws 2, Grease, Star Wars, and Foul Play, showcasing different era styles.

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    #7

    Best Buy, 1999

    Vintage ad reminding to turn off computers before Y2K, featuring Best Buy branding.

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    #8

    Electricity Was New Once. These Signs Were Mostly In Hotel Rooms And Other Public Places

    Vintage ad for Edison electric light instructing users to turn a key on the wall instead of using a match.

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    #9

    Remember When Brach’s Pick A Mix Was The Best Thing About Going To The Grocery Store? (1970s)

    Vintage ad showing a mother and daughter selecting Brach's Pick-A-Mix candies.

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    #10

    Jester Wools (1947, UK)

    Vintage ad featuring a jester and woman with a rainbow promoting Jester Wools for colorful garments.

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    #11

    1978 Star Wars Vaccination Ad

    Creative vintage ad featuring iconic robots promoting immunization awareness.

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    #12

    Garfield Telephone By Tyco (1978)

    Girl using a Garfield-shaped telephone in a creative vintage ad, showcasing playful retro design.

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    #13

    Esprit (1980's)

    Vintage ad featuring a person in colorful 1980s fashion: oversized shirt, striped pants, pink bag, and yellow shoes.

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    #14

    With A Smile

    Creative vintage ad featuring an electricity mascot warning a child about electrical danger.

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    #15

    In 1962, Bette Davis Placed This Ad In Variety

    Creative vintage ad seeking Hollywood employment for an actress, highlighting past experience in motion pictures.

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    #16

    Cottonelle Colored Toilet Paper (1982)

    Colorful vintage Cottonelle ad showcasing pastel toilet paper in different settings.

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    #17

    "Someday Roads Will Tell Cars Where To Go" Gm (1969)

    Vintage ad showing a futuristic navigation system by General Motors in a car dashboard.

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    #18

    Daihatsu Hijet Ad From 1996

    Vintage ad of a Daihatsu van, highlighting its appeal compared to a Lamborghini with passengers inside.

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    #19

    "Is Your Kid Living In A Dream World?" Ad Placed In Ebony Magazine Encouraging Minorities To Pursue Stem Careers. General Electric, 1979

    Creative vintage ad featuring a child in a gown holding a microphone, promoting engineering careers by General Electric.

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    #20

    1988 Penn Tennis Ball Ad Promoting The French Open

    Creative vintage ad featuring a tennis ball styled as a croissant on a plate, promoting the 1988 French Open.

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    #21

    Pan American Airlines (1956)

    Vintage ad showing a pilot, a sleeping child, and woman in airplane, highlighting travel to Europe.

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    #22

    One Oregon Newspaper Clip Reads: “We Appeal To Your Civil Patriotism To Co-Operate With Us In Our Effort To Stamp Out The Spanish Influenza Or “Flu” Plague In Portland By Wearing A Mask.”

    Vintage ad promoting mask-wearing to combat the Spanish Influenza in Portland.

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    #23

    Sony Walkman 1980

    Vintage Sony Walkman ad featuring two teenagers roller skating in the park while listening to music.

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    #24

    I'm Pretty Sure Everyone Had One Of These

    Vintage ad showing a woman using a Cosco step stool, highlighting its practicality and 1950s design appeal.

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    #25

    Vintage Soda Cans Dates Unknown

    Vintage soda cans showcasing creative designs and flavors, reflecting how different the world used to be.

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    #26

    American Airlines, 1971

    Vintage ad showcasing a spacious American Airlines lounge with red seating and a flight attendant in classic uniform.

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    #27

    This TV Looks Like It's Going To Kill Her!

    Vintage ad with a woman adjusting a retro TV, a man reading on a couch, illustrating past design style.

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    #28

    Apple Computers Late 90s

    Vintage ad featuring a colorful computer with the text "Sorry, no beige," showcasing creative advertising styles.

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    #29

    Pizza Hut Oven In Sears Catalog (1977) "Put Up The 'Official' Sign And You're In Business!"

    Creative vintage ad featuring a Pizza Hut toy oven with pizza mix packages and a tiny pizza paddle.

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    #30

    Game Boy Ad 1990s

    Game Boy vintage ad featuring colorful handheld consoles on animated heads.

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    #31

    Ge Widescreen 1000 - General Electric Performance Television - 1978

    Vintage ad featuring a man with a General Electric TV, showcasing past technology styles.

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    #32

    How To Carry 20 Megabytes Of Data Around In 1985

    Vintage ad showcasing Maynard's Transport portable hard drive with a man smiling, carrying the device in a bag.

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    #33

    1965 Ge Ad

    Vintage ad showing a woman in a colorful dress posing in a retro kitchen with green appliances.

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    #34

    Life Savers ~ Fancy Fruits (1965)

    Vintage Life Savers ad featuring fruity flavors like apple, pear, and grapefruit, showcasing creative retro design.

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    #35

    "Past Present Future?", Western Electric, 1959

    Creative vintage ad showing evolution of telephones: past wooden phone, present rotary handset, and a futuristic concept.

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    #36

    Panasonic "Don't Listen To Squares" 1973

    Vintage ad for Panasonic's "Ball & Chain" radio, showcasing creative retro design with colorful, spherical shapes.

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    #37

    Ad From A Finnish Teen/Music Magazine Suosikki 1983

    Vintage ad featuring three women in 80s fashion with colorful shirts and high-waisted jeans, embodying creative style.

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    #38

    Mcdonald’s, 1987 Ad

    Vintage ad featuring a colorful salad with text discussing its freshness and taste, highlighting creative advertising.

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