Only In America!

By Ger Rijff / Bob Pakes
 
 

During the 50’s and 60’s, everything Europeans considered cool, came from the other side of the Atlantic: the music, the design, the comics, the cars, the movies, teen culture … the list just goes on and on! Here at Echoes, we have a soft spot for the weird, the wonderful, and the wacky side of vintage Americana. In this topic we’ll take a look at the funny and sometimes outrageous advertisements from these years. Buckle up and enjoy!
 

Scatter reads his master from The Book Of Wisdom:
“Quit this Hollywood monkey business, and get your ass back on that stage!”.

 

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“Who’s your daddy now, daddy?”

 

 

Wanna get rid of that ugly depression? Become an alcoholic!

 
 

For a Christmas to remember: buy each other a rifle!

 
 

“Instructions included with each monkey.
Eats same food as you, even likes lollipos.
Live delivery guaranteed”.

 
 

Buy a bottle of vodka, and win a Russian girl!

 
 

Radioactive material: “Completely Safe And Harmless!”.

 
 

Sabrina indeed has “the world’s finest equipment”. Oh yeah!

 
 

Doctors recommend Camel …

 
 

… and babies recommend Marlboro!

 
 

Uncle Sam’s guarantee: EVERY soldier has syphilis!

 
 

Imagine the grandchildren of the woman posing for this advertisment, asking her 50 years later:
“Granny, were you really a syphilis spreading prostitute??”

 
 

Next to sexually transmitted diseases, the (cold) war also brought many new toys for the kids!

 
 

Or how about a nuclear sub for a birthday present?

 
 

“Genuine gas masks. Loads of fun and useful, too!”.

 
 

“The explosion can be heard for a block. Really scatters the gang when you throw this baby in their midst”.

 
 

Don’t worry about your teeth, Junior. In a few years time you’ll have new ones!

 
 

Wrapping the kids up in cellophane will give you about 2 minutes of time all to yourself (before you need to dial 911).

 
 

You hate your kids?
Take Bile Beans Laxative Plus, and you’ll love ’em!

 
 

No, this not an advertisement for Land Of The Giants.
It’s just a kid possessed by the devil.

 
 

When feminism was still far, far away!

 
 

“Turns out you gals are useful after all!”.

 
 

When wife-beating was still considered an art-form. Those were the days!

 
 

The vibra-finger: for her pleasure.

WIFE:
“Honey, I’m gonna take care of my gum now”.
HUSBAND:
“What?? This is your 12th time today …!”.

 
 

Every parents’ dream: a house full of ants …

 
 

“Be Healthy – Stay Brown The Year Round”
“Sleep under it”

 
 

Can you imagine? Nowadays people are constantly being told they should lose weight.
Well, okay, we are an overweight society.
But in the 50’s the ideal girl wasn’t a skinny one at all. Be Glamorous, And Gain Weight!

 
 

How about this for a bleaching ad?
Hard to imagine this kind of stuff was accepted until only a few decades ago really …

 
 

What’s the deal with these devilish looking children in those 50’s food ads?

 
 

Scotch Tape, for multipurpose use!
“Won’t fall in eyes”. No, but your kid will cry all the way to the doctor once you’ve removed the tape of it’s forehead!

 
 

More toys for kids: explosions by remote control!

“You can even rig it up to ‘booby trap’ certain private places”.

 
 

An invisible helmet that is … extremely visible!

“You can see people. They can’t see you!”.
“Think of how you can put it on and not be recognized”.

Imagine the kid walking around with this large red/white/blue eyecatcher on his head, and the rest of the neighborhood going: ‘Look, it’s that idiot Ricky again, wearing his invisible helmet …’.

 
 

From the live animals department: a miniature dog.

“Carry it in your pocket. You can keep it in a shoe box”.

 
 

The perfect gift that every dad bought for his daughter, but secretly kept for himself after he inflated her!

“Dress me up for any occasion. Just let your imagination go”.

“Your bound to find hundreds of exciting and unusual uses for me”.

 
 

The large backseat is there for a reason.
Why be subtle?

 

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More ONLY IN AMERICA! SOON!

 

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