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If you’ve ever heard stories about how things were done in your great-grandparents’ time and thought, “Wait…people really did that?”—you’re definitely not alone. While there’s plenty we can learn from previous generations, there are also moments from the past that seem completely baffling today. Social norms, safety rules, and everyday habits have changed so much that some old practices now feel downright unbelievable.
That’s exactly the kind of thing you’ll find on the page “Old School Ridiculous.” From questionable activities like letting young children drink wine to bizarre events such as asbestos-shoveling competitions, history has its fair share of eyebrow-raising moments. Some of these posts highlight serious reminders of how times have changed, while others are so strange they’re almost funny. We’ve gathered a few of the most unusual photos from the page, so take a look, Pandas.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
"Circle Of Love," Saturday Evening Post Cover, April 8, 1961 By Constantin Alajalo
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#2
Typical Redditor, Mid-1960s
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 5 days ago
I'm so happy that times have changed and you don't see these kind of demands in the modern day USA.
#3
Car Seat Safety In 1958. These Car Seats Were Not Secured With Seat Belts, So The Mother Could Reach Out To Prevent The Child From Falling Forward
Upstaged75 5 days ago
Even with seatbelts I'm sure everyone has experienced a time when their mother put out her arm to protect them while driving.
While there are many things we still admire or appreciate from the early 1900s, there are also many areas where society has thankfully moved forward. One of the most significant changes has been in the way LGBTQ+ individuals are viewed and treated. Throughout much of the 20th century, many LGBTQ+ people faced systemic discrimination, legal persecution, and social stigma. Laws, institutions, and cultural attitudes often tried to control or “explain” people’s identities and relationships in ways that today seem deeply unfair and outdated.
#4
"12-Year-Old Mother And Baby Son," 1941
#5
Camel Urges You To Smoke 5 Cigarettes With Dinner To Cleanse Your Palate
#6
An Undercover Police Officer On Duty. New York, Brooklyn, 1 July 1969
For example, in 1910, courts in Ontario began requiring psychiatric evaluations for men accused of same-gender relationships. Instead of seeing these relationships as a matter of personal identity, authorities treated them as signs of mental illness. In many cases, private relationships were reframed as medical or legal problems, showing how strongly society tried to pathologize something it didn’t yet understand.
#7
Asbestos Shoveling Competition
Manic Mama 5 days ago
A town still so dangerous that it doesn't appear on maps any more, and going there is illegal.
#8
Until 1956, French Children Attending School Were Served Wine On Their Lunch Breaks. Each Child Was Allowed Up To A Half Litre A Day
#9
St. Thomas Satanic Exorcism Plus All The Fried Chicken You Can Eat For .50c (Near Bardstown, 1942)
Literature also faced censorship. In 1928, the novel The Well of Loneliness, which featured a lesbian protagonist, was declared obscene. Authorities ordered copies of the book to be destroyed, believing it could influence readers simply by acknowledging the existence of same-gender relationships. Today, the book is often discussed as an important early work in LGBTQ+ literature.
#10
1938, Public Kissing On Church Property: Men Pay £2, Women Go To Prison For A Month
#11
The Presto Whip Building In Dearborn, Michigan, 1976
#12
Liberace 1971
Laws in many parts of the world also targeted same-gender relationships in uneven ways. In 1902, in several territories, “indecent practices” between men were criminalized. Interestingly, lesbian relationships were often left out of these laws—not out of acceptance, but because many male lawmakers either ignored or refused to acknowledge that women could have same-gender relationships at all.
#13
Braniff Airlines Stewardess Uniforms, 1969
#14
A Woman Dropping Her Porcelain Tea-Cup In Horror Upon Discovering The Monstrous Contents Of A Magnified Drop Of Thames Water; Revealing The Impurity Of London Drinking Water. Coloured Etching By W. Heath, 1828
#15
Hair Done By Phillip Mason, 1965. Photo By Richard Blinkoff
In the early 1900s, many countries were reshaping their laws in an effort to appear more “modern” on the global stage. In 1903, Thailand introduced punishments for same-gender relationships, partly influenced by Western legal systems. Interestingly, before this shift, same-gender relationships had not been widely targeted or heavily prosecuted there. But as nations tried to align themselves with what were then considered international standards, some adopted laws that reflected Western attitude toward personal identity. In a way, this showed how global pressure and the desire to appear progressive sometimes led to policies that actually restricted freedoms rather than expanding them.
#16
Department Store Wax Mannequins Melting During A Heatwave In 1929
#17
So Hard To Post This While I'm Caught In An Electrical Wire But Glad I Got It Off!
#18
For Smokers-In-Bed
Attitudes like these were also reflected in popular entertainment of the time. During the 1910s, many early films—including those from the era when Charlie Chaplin was one of cinema’s biggest stars—often used queer-coded characters purely for comic effect. Effeminate men were frequently portrayed as exaggerated stereotypes meant to make audiences laugh. While these portrayals were considered harmless humor at the time, they helped shape public perceptions and reinforced the idea that people who didn’t conform to traditional gender roles were something to be mocked. Looking back today, these depictions offer an interesting reminder of how much both storytelling and social attitudes have evolved over the past century.
#19
" The Drunk Basket" In The 1960s, Bars In Istanbul Woud Hire Someone To Carry Drunk People Back To Their Home
#20
1918 Flu Epidemic Campaign Poster
#21
The Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand In Cairo 1896 Pretending To Be A Mummy
#22
"Baby Cages" Were Window-Mounted Playpens That Were Once Used For Apartments To Ensure Babies Get Fresh Air, 1937
These are just a few examples of how attitudes and policies once shaped everyday life for LGBTQ+ people. While the world still has progress to make, it’s clear that society has come a long way since those times. Looking back at these moments reminds us how important it is to keep learning from history. Some practices, beliefs, and laws truly belong in the past, and recognizing that progress helps ensure we continue moving toward a more understanding and inclusive future.
#23
The Shirt Suit Supreme, 1972
persephone134 5 days ago
I'd love to hear David Attenborough's take on this. "In the animal kingdom, the males of a certain species of hominidae..."
#24
Ladies, Dr. Swift Is Here To Massage Away Your Troubles From Neck To Knee (1850s)
#25
Matching Outfits In 1952
#26
General Electric Portable Hairdryer , 1959
While these posts are certainly good for a laugh, it’s also astonishing to see how some things from the past were just… unbelievable. History can be funny, strange, and sometimes downright baffling all at once. What do you think—were any of these past practices more shocking than amusing? Share your thoughts with us!
#27
Du Pont Cellophane (1955)
#28
Back In The 60's They Put Pictures Of Kids And Their Addresses In The Back Of Comic Books
Barbara Liles 5 days ago
Frank Stefanko of Camden NJ looks like he wants to sell me a refrigerator.
#29
Anti-Vax Cartoon From 1892
#30
My Dad Used To Cut His Shirts, He Said It Was Common For Men To Show Their Belly Buttons, 1980s
#31
"On The Night Of February 1, 1976, Elvis Presley Took His Private Jet From Graceland To Denver And Back In One Night Because He Was Craving An 8,000 Calorie Sandwich
"Made from a hollowed out loaf filled with an entire jar of peanut butter, one jar of jelly, and a pound of bacon."
Upstaged75 5 days ago
The sandwich is called Fool's Gold. (Has anyone seen the movie What If? The sandwich plays an important part in it)
#32
Notwithstanding Rachel Dolezal, This Article From 1970
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 5 days ago
"I don't drop character 'til I've done the DVD commentary"- Kirk Lazarus.
#33
Sauna Pants
#34
Bryn Owen Aged 17 With His Vespa Scooter, Which Has 34 Mirrors And 81 Lights On The Front And Back, All Bought With His Pocket Money, Leicestershire, England, 1983
#35
Burnt Orange Carpeting In A Supermarket, 1970s. What The Hell Were They Thinking!
#36
Models Promoting Farm Fertilizer, 1956
#37
Mickey Mouse Gas Mask Meant To Put Children At Ease In An Emergency Situation, 1942
#38
Pickle Sisters A Vaudeville Group From The 1920s
#39
Fuzzy Wuzzy Both Soap That Grew Fur
#40
Mickey Rooney As Mr. Yunioshi In Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961)
Der Kommissar 5 days ago
Also see; the Charlie Chan movies, in which a Chinese person was played by Warner Oland, a caucasian.
#41
Motorhead Dressing Room Requirements (2002)
#42
Article Quoting John Harvey Kellogg (The Famous Doctor And Inventor/Inspirer Of Corn Flakes, And A Prominent Health Reformer And Eugenicist) Making A Prediction About What Babies Will Look Like In 2012
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 5 days ago
Also cornflakes were invented to stop men tugging on their Tonka toys.
#43
The Day My Kid Went Punk, Abc After-School Special (1987)
#44
An Idea Of What Beatlemania Was Like
#45
72m Marries 22f Step-Granddaughter. 1907
#46
This Really Requires No Explanation
Bill Swallow 5 days ago (edited)
You laugh, but having grown up on a farm, this seems perfectly sensible and practical to me. There are times when you need the right tool for the job, and if you're having to make use of explosives, better you have a handbook to help you do it as safely as possible. I can recall my older brothers removing tree stumps with extreme prejudice using fuel oil and fertilizer. See, working with stuff like that, and heavy machinery, and other hazards to life and limb, meant you either took it seriously and played by the rules, or you didn't last very long, simple as that. One thing to keep firmly in mind - the difference between a tool and a weapon is largely the intent with which it is used.
#47
German Band Exmagma, Album Cover For Goldball, 1974
#48
Martians And Venusians In A 1961 Episode Of TV Series The Twilight Zone
#49
What A Deal!
#50
"Winky The White Cat, Signals Cars Behind You, Red Eyes Flash Warning" - [1980s]
#51
These Women! (1946-1949)
#52
Teens Out Of Control Circa 1900
#53
Hairstyle In Tampa, Florida, 1985
#54
Teddy Bear: The Harbinger Of Family Doom
#55
"Authorities" In The 1900s Predicted Women Will Be Over 6' And Dress Like Zena Warrior Princess By The Year 2000
#56
In Little House In The Big Woods Laura Ingalls Wilder Describes Her Life Growing Up And Going To A Party Where All The Adults Would Just Throw Their Infants Into A Big Pile On Grandma's Bed So They Could Go Have Fun
#57
Farewell To The Ugly Cigarette? (1971)
Gingersnap In Iowa 5 days ago
My stepmom smoked these cigarettes. Little 6 y/o me thought the pack was pretty.
#58
It's Lunch Time At The No Barriers Alligator Farm. Florida C1920s
David Paterson 5 days ago
I love this image. I've fed some hungry saltwater crocodiles in Darwin. This looks much safer.
#59
Buster The Roller Skating Rooster, Los Angeles, 1957
#60
Dress Like Mommy (1967)
#61
Your Chubby Lass Can Be The Belle Of Her Class. Chubbettes
#62
1911 Pic Found On Chronophoto
#63
1976. I Was Alive In 1976
#64
In 1974, Dan Hartman Spent $5,000 On This Fully Functioning, Custom "Bass Suit" Of His Own Design
#65
Women Display Futuristic Clothing For The Year 2000 During Engineering Week, Circa 1965
#66
'Weren't They Funny?', People From 1950 Are Amazed By Old Pictures. 'Life' Magazine Cover, December 1914
#67
English Schoolboys Are In Disbelief Seeing Physique Model Steve Kotis, 1964
#68
A Couple Posing On A Rooftop In Protective Suits And Hoods While Holding An "Emergency Life Pack For 8 Days," A Civil Defense Survival Kit Designed For Nuclear Fallout Scenarios
#69
Circa 1924
#70
Men Used To Be Sober, Chivalrous And Strong. Now, In The Year 1622, They Are Ruined Forever
#71
My Grandfather’s Signature Pose In Photos, Took His Resemblance To A Certain Dictator A Little Too Seriously
#72
"Even A Lady Could Learn To Like Soft Whiskey. It's Not Hard." - Calvert Extra [1965]
#73
The Colossal Dog Ear Collar! [1967]
#74
Asparagus Group From Miss Gatchell's Pageant, Lee County Alabama, April 16, 1925
#75
Crisco Shortening - It's Digestable! (1955)
#76
He Doesn't Care As Long As He Gets His Dinner
#77
Kid Rock In His Mid 1990’s Look
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What do you think ?
Laszlo Larthlanc 5 days ago
I'd like to be able to go into the future and watch people laugh at us.
Laszlo Larthlanc 5 days ago
I'd like to be able to go into the future and watch people laugh at us.
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