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Alcohol, cannabis, morphine, chloroform, and other skillfully combined ingredients. It sounds like a recipe for disaster. Or the toxicology report from a coroner. But no. It’s neither.
What you just read was once the concoction that people casually consumed to treat a cough back in the day.
It’s just one of many strange and somewhat ridiculous norms once held in high regard. And the “receipts” for them can be found on a page aptly called Old School Ridiculous. The online community has more than 159,000 members who are there to laugh at the past. And while some of the history posts are no laughing matter, many of them are so ludicrous that it is genuinely laughable.
Bored Panda has put together a list of the most bizarre pictures from the page. So keep scrolling and be prepared to be blown away by the things that humanity once found quite normal, but in reality, show just how backwards we were, and how far we’ve come.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
A Cartoon About A Hypothetical "Pocket Telephone," From 1919
Nowadays, you'd go to jail for possessing cough syrup ingredients from way back when. But more than a hundred years ago, cough syrups were unregulated, so "mixologists" could put pretty much anything in them. And they did.
From opiates to cannabis, and even chloroform, people were going to great highs to soothe that irritating cough or bad chest. Even babies weren't spared. It was seen as quite normal to feed them (highly) questionable things to help with their infant ailments.
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#2
Ella Fitzgerald Arrested After Singing To An Integrated Audience In 1955
#3
Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Was Arrested For Protesting In 1961
She was tested for mental illness because law enforcement couldn’t think why a white woman would want civil rights.
Teething pain, for example, required a good dose of “laudanum,” which is just another name for a little bit of opium in cough syrup. While a bout of diarrhea was "easily cured" with morphine-laced medicine. That's because constipation is a side effect of opiates.
But before you judge, remember that those who came before us knew no better.
#4
Menswear From The Jc Penney Catalog, 1970
#5
Whiskey Vending Machine, 1960
#6
Defense Shoes To Protect Young Girl From Street Romeos
Back then, it wasn't the law to state the ingredients on a bottle or box of medicine. It was only in 1906, that Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act, which required manufacturers to disclose the ingredients in their products, notes Healthline. And thankfully, more legislation and regulation followed.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only outlawed the use of chloroform in medications in 1976, when research revealed just how dangerous it can be. But before then, it was widely used in cough medicine, as well as in anesthetics.
And in case you're wondering, yes, chloroform is that stuff we see used in movies. When the bad guy puts some on a rag and holds it over the mouth of an unsuspecting victim to make them lose consciousness.
#7
The 1903 Mugshot Of Bertha Liebbeke, A Woman Who Would Approach Wealthy Men In Crowds And Pretend To Faint In Their Arms — Then Would Relieve Them Of All The Valuables In Their Pockets
#8
Who Remembers People Smoking In The Malls Back In The 1980’s ?!
Multa Nocte 5 months ago
And in airplanes, and in the doctor's office, and at restaurants, and at the hospital.
#9
Never Forgot This Proactive Ad From When I Was A Kid
But the historical naivety didn't stop at medicine, as this list of ridiculous photos proves. The most immoral acts were considered peachy. Yet many could land you in prison nowadays.
Old men thought nothing of marrying a very young girl. And while that practice hasn't been fully scrapped (child marriage is still legal in some U.S. states and certain countries around the world), we have come a long way in fighting it.
#10
Futuristic Baby Stroller, West Germany, 1950s
#11
The Ingredients On "One Night Cough Syrup"
Toothless Feline 5 months ago
“A number of other ingredients”. Which may or may not be better or worse for you than the active ingredients listed.
#12
Paparazzi Take Pictures Of Bill Clinton's Cat Named Socks, 1992
Sally Moen 5 months ago
I wrote to that cat and got a postcard from the White House with the cat's "signature" paw print
Many in the LGBTQ community are still fighting for their rights after a long history of discrimination and mistreatment. Quite a few pics here show the blatant hatred for them. Take this Moral Majority Report, for example. It claims that “Homosexual Diseases Threaten American Families.”
It was only in 1962 that American states started decriminalizing same-sex activity. It began with Illinois, and others very slowly followed suit. But according to the international LGBTIQ lobby group, ILGA, one-third of the world continues to criminalise consensual same-sex sexual acts.
#13
A Dangerous Playground From The 70s
#14
A Union Officer Being Silly 1860-65
#15
Household Hint From An Old Magazine
As we look back on history in shock at some of the ridiculousness of it all, we shouldn't be too surprised if future generations do the same to us. Pictures detailing sexism, discrimination, abortion laws, racism and capitalism are among the things that might make it onto a list like this in decades to come.
While humanity has come a long way, there is no doubt that there's still a lot of work to be done...
#16
Sugar Information, Inc., 1964
Jrog 5 months ago
You may have guessed this is advertising by the lobby of the U.S. sugar industry, by no other than the Leo Burnett ad agency. They were notorious for the wildly outlandish claims they used to make, including that sugar helps stay slim and reduces overeating, and for employing doctors that would say any quotable piece of BS for cash.
#17
Hard To Top This One…
#18
Now That's Just Mean. Old Lead Industry Advertisement
#19
The Shirt Suit Supreme, 1972
#20
Can You Even Imagine? Northwest Airlines Organist, 1959
#21
A Sign In A Hotel Room Warns The Occupant That Snoring Is Forbidden, 1926
#22
The Michelin Band Performs At The Opening Of The Michelin Hour Radio Program, 1928
#23
Mister Merry’s Play Lighter
#24
Hefty Girls Wanted For Police Force (Must Be Fairly Good Looking). London Metropolitan Police, 1930s
#25
Pull My Hair And See
#26
Lola, A Romantic Comedy From 1970
#27
Daytona Beach, Fl 1985
#28
Creepy Love's Baby Soft Advertisement From 1975
#29
For Smokers-In-Bed
#30
Prank My Great Grandpa’s Friends Played On Him In The 70’s
#31
German Greeting Card From The Early To Mid-Century Of A Female Krampus Who Punishes Bad Men
#32
Let Gert Jonnys Introduce You To The Psychotic World Of 1970s Swedish Dance Music
Multa Nocte 5 months ago
Oh my dear Lord . . . . Windy, your people have something to answer for here!!!!
#33
Children Dressed As Billiard Balls
#34
AIDS, The Homosexual Disease Threatening American Families. 1983
#35
My Grandfather’s Signature Pose In Photos, Took His Resemblance To A Certain Dictator A Little Too Seriously
#36
The Sunpod Was Used So You Could Go To The Beach And Not Get Bothered When You Tan, 1982
#37
The Sausage Queen, 1955
#38
The Protection Ball
Robin Roper 5 months ago
And without seatbelts, those youngsters will be tossed through the windshield; the good old days.
#39
Women Are Especially Susceptible, Doctors Say... To Troubles Caused By Harsh Toilet Tissue. Scott, 1930
#40
This Was A Size 20 In 1965. Look At This Plus-Sized Heifer!
#41
Was This A Cojmon Way To Dress Your Bridesmaids Back In The Day?
#42
Tim Allen's Mugshot When He Was Arrested In 1978 After Walking Into Kalamazoo Airport With 650 Grams Of C**aine
#43
The N**ple Bra
Multa Nocte 5 months ago
Hey BP - you missed censoring one of the "nipples" in this ad. Now I am utterly perverted and lost - probably be in prison soon. Thanks a lot! >:-( 685b9e2dbb...51c815.jpg 
#44
72m Marries 22f Step-Granddaughter. 1907
#45
Teenagers Weekly 1963
Tom Hardeveld 5 months ago
No no, it;s for my chilly cheeks! Now put the money in the bag please. My nan knit that one too!
#46
Thank Goodness We Don't Have Sexist Ads From The 20s To 50s Anymore, Because This Is Just Silly 💀
#47
Sally Simkin’s Is As Thicc As A Dump Truck…
#48
1990: No Joy In Gay, W. Va
#49
Ribs In A Can (Armour, 1963)
#50
1975 Patons Knitting Pattern, For Larger Sized Woman
kzys59pcrp 5 months ago
I guess yellow makes you look slim because these women are not even remotely plus size
#51
This Ad In A 1968 Life Magazine
#52
Camel Urges You To Smoke 5 Cigarettes With Dinner To Cleanse Your Palate
Sally Moen 5 months ago
Nothing improves the taste of food better than a taste-bud-blocking cigarette
#53
This Doctors Kit For Blowing Tobacco Smoke Up Your Butt As A Medical Treatment From 1774
In the 18th century, tobacco smoke enemas became a legitimate treatment for headaches, respiratory failure, colds, hernias, and those "who give the appearance of death." Soon tobacco smoke enemas were used for treating typhoid fever and even cholera outbreaks, during the “stage of collapse” and death. Before bellows were included in the resuscitation kit, a simple tube from the mouth was used.
The results could be disastrous to the tobacco smoke blower. If the practitioner inadvertently inhaled (instead of blew) during a coughing spell, diarrhea particles containing cholera could be aspirated and swallowed. The practitioner’s demise would often result. The introduction of bellows and a variety of rectal tubes to the process spared practitioners from this horrible fate, and for a time tobacco enemas were regarded as a mainstream treatment for a wide variety of maladies.
#54
~1947 Lone Ranger Atomic Bo*b Ring That Contained Radioactive Polonium-210 In A Spinthariscope. Distributed By Kix Cereal, In Exchange For 15 Cents And A Box Top
LillieMean 5 months ago
What, an atomic b00b ring?! Everyone aboard, the censorship train is leaving platform three.
#55
Coors Defines S*xy In The 70s
#56
Just A Child Playing With Small Alligators, Los Angeles, 1910s
#57
A Friend Sent Me One Of These Ads & I Thought It Was Some Sort Of Parody/Joke. Sadly, No
#58
William Van Alen, Architect Of The Chrysler Building, Dressed As The Chrysler Building At The Society Of Beaux Arts Architects Ball
#59
1911 Pic Found On Chronophoto
Multa Nocte 5 months ago
This looks like Australia after they have one of those spider infestations.
#60
"For Men Of Action" Zipper Front Underwear, 1969
Robin Roper 5 months ago
All I can think of is how careful one would need to be with that zipper and oh boy, what a physique.
#61
1918 Flu Epidemic Campaign Poster
Kabuki Kitsune 5 months ago
Fun fact: This type of poster gave rise to cigarettes as a popular form of tobacco consumption. Prior to that, chewing tobacco, or moist snuff (Google Copenhagen Snuff) was the most common method of tobacco consumption. As cigarettes didn't require the user to spit tobacco juices out onto the ground, or into a communal spittoon, they were seen as being safer and more healthy.
#62
McDonald's, 1987
#63
Old Gold Cigarette Ad I Found In The Walls Of A House I'm Renovating. Probably From The Late 20s Or 30s
#64
Hawaiian Shark Stick, 1982
Toothless Feline 5 months ago
“DO NOT BLEED!” Right, I’ll just turn off blood circulation while I try to push this stick in the shark’s eye.
#65
The Message Is Perfectly Simple
Corwin 02 5 months ago (edited)
Active Ingredients: Benzocaine, Methylcellulose, Oil of Anise, Dextrose, Oil of Peppermint, Oil of Wintergreen, Oil of Cinnamon, Oil of Clove. Also contains natural Kelp (Fucus). Each tablet contains 0.02 mgm. of lodine. Pleasantly Flavored. So surprisingly it was actual chewing gum and not some weird amphetamine cocktail
#66
Full-Face Swimming Mask Helped Protect Women's Skin From The Sun, 1920s
#67
Miss Correct Posture Winners, Chicago Chiropractic Convention, May 1956. Contestants Were Typically Judged On Beauty And Poise, Posture, And X-Rays To Evaluate Their Spinal Structure
Multa Nocte 5 months ago
This is before the chiropractors took a shot at realigning their backs and paralysing them.
#68
Man Protesting Against The Sale Of Dresses That Fail To Cover The Knees When Seated - 1962
#69
In 1936, The "Dog Sack" Was Invented To Keep Cars Clean While Traveling With Pets
#70
Should A Woman Work Before Marriage? (1963)
#71
Liberace 1971
#72
A Couple On An Airplane Smoking A Cigarette (1960’s)
#73
Ah, Simpler Times
Jrog 5 months ago
"Airplane glue" is not really aviation related, is for scale models. Since it was designed to melt plastic and fibers to make them stick it used to contain a beautiful mix of solvents including toluene, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethylene dichloride, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, and chloroform. Kids being kids, in the 1960 they started "sniffing glue" to get high, and after a few fatal accidents in 1969 sales of glue to minor was regulated, since this poster and the photo.
#74
God, The Rod, And Your Child's Bod. By Larry Tomczak, 1982
Robin Roper 5 months ago
Hope whoever cut that child's hair gets a beating with that rod. What a disaster.
#75
Still From The 1962 Movie Lolita. It Was Camp Q In The Book The Movie Is Based On
#76
1897. Buffalo, NY
Multa Nocte 5 months ago
No, but similarly to riding on trains, if she goes too fast her uterus will fly out.
#77
Children Playing With A Toy Guillotine, France (1959)
#78
May 1, 1970: Mississippi Bans 'Sesame Street' Show
Multa Nocte 5 months ago
Ya know, it was just too damned WOKE. Probably why Trump wants to cut their funding.
#79
Propaganda Against Swing/Jazz Dancing [1920s]
Multa Nocte 5 months ago
If they knew that a US president would one day use the word "Fuck" on TV they would have surely lost their shit.
#80
The Guy Who's Got A Girl In Every City. Delta Airlines Ad, 1973
#81
Liberace Takes A Bubble Bath, 1978
PunchinelloTX 5 months ago
What’s so objectionable about this>. Gaudy, yes. Flamboyant, sure. Tacky, okay. But why would this not “fly today”?
#82
The “Change Daily Girl”
Sally Moen 5 months ago
I never realized that some people actually do wash their underwear in the sink at night. Maybe they only own one set
#83
It's Not A Party, Until The Bugle Comes Out
#84
1927 Joke Book
Crazy this was once in a kids school library.
Multa Nocte 5 months ago
Hey Bored Panda - you censor every damn word that exists and yet you didn't think to censor this nasty trash?
#85
For The Modern Woman’s “Face”
#86
A Disguised Secret Witness Testifies In A Courtroom On A Drug Case. Washington, 1952
#87
Protect Our Husbands From The Wiles Of The 'Sea Vamps'
Multa Nocte 5 months ago
See? Florida has been on the cutting edge of prudishness and Puritansim for years.
#88
A Doctor Determines A Girl’s Racial Identity By The Color Of Her Eyes. Germany, 1936
#89
Old School Racist
#90
Memorizing Your Keys In Typing Class (1960s)
#91
Teenager Party, Featuring "Teenagers." C1958
#92
Want To Wear Black Face, But Don't Want To Wear Makeup? Rubber Masks!
#93
I Never Knew That Pickles Are A Gateway D**g?
#94
1976. I Was Alive In 1976
#95
Mad Magazine’s Tiparillo Ad (1966): “The Day A Gentleman Finally Offers A Lady A Tiparillo”
#96
Hmm Yes, Blow Smoke In Her Face
#97
H.i.s. Menswear Ad: For Whom The Bells Toll, 1969
#98
It's Leap-Year Girls!
General Anaesthesia 5 months ago
As you ramble on through life, Whatever be your goal, Keep your eye upon the doughnut, And not upon the hole.
#99
Pediatric Cough Remedy
Multa Nocte 5 months ago (edited)
"Dr. James T. Rhyne, 89, retired Colonel and Pediatrician died Saturday, March 29. Born in Corning, AR, he began his medical career in 1941." Died in 2003.
#100
Ku Klux Kindness! Atlanta Journal Constitution 1948-12-23
#101
His And Hers Gear Shifter
#102
Book Found In The Garage - Achieving The Impossible
PunchinelloTX 5 months ago
Well… stop trying to do it with puppets. That’s a start. I say this as a former puppeteer.
#103
How Else Are You Going To Snag A Husband?
Jrog 5 months ago
Btw, Olivetti, "the american dream machines" were actually Italian. Olivetti was based in Ivrea, and at the time was basically the European Xerox. A highly successful hi-tech giant, that developed a slew of amazing technologies but was not organized enough to exploit them well, and led to a bunch of other smaller, more dynamic companies to pilfer their assets and ultimately failed.
#104
Those Beatnicks! Living In Hobo Love! - Movie Poster From The 1959 Crime Drama, "The Rebel Set."
#105
Helmet With A Built - In Communication Device,1960s
#106
Teenagers' Marriage Criteria From Progressive Farmer October 1955
#107
The Original Michelin Man, 1898
#108
Really Stepped It Up For The Second Edition!
Lady Eowyn 5 months ago
She had a lot of good advice about quilting, I learned from her on TV.
#109
How To Dress A Rabbit Without A Knife. From The Us Air Force Survival Training Manual
#110
My Children Were Ashamed Of Me…
Multa Nocte 5 months ago
Ayds candy! My mother used to get the vanilla caramel kind and they were delicious!
#111
Truly Awful And Offensive Tshirt
#112
The 70s Were A Wild Time
#113
Thankfully They Changed The Offensive Title To "Chinamen," For Later Editions. 1948
#114
Why He Look Like That?
#115
Stunningly Racist Photo Stand-In, Lion Country Safari, Florida, Circa 1983
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What do you think ?
Cronecast AtTheRisingMoon 5 months ago
The comments were gold on so many of these, I genuinely laughed at so many , thank you for sharing these.
Cronecast AtTheRisingMoon 5 months ago
The comments were gold on so many of these, I genuinely laughed at so many , thank you for sharing these.
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