Forgotten Ads From The ’70s
The 1970s created some iconic media, but it also produced ads that highlight how much our societal values have shifted. While completely normal then, many campaigns from that era appear odd or inappropriate to modern eyes.
Here are the forgotten ’70s advertisements that, for various reasons, absolutely wouldn’t fly today.

Virginia Slims cigarette
Magazine advertisement for Virginia Slims cigarette, 1970.

A Dishwashing Liquid
A dishwashing liquid poster showing a woman dipping her fingers in the liquid, 1970.

Cash Box by Sega
1972 advertisement from Cash Box by Sega for their electro-mechanical games Killer Shark and Invaders.

Jim Beam
An advertising of Jim Beam with this text on the poster “Two one-of-a-kind originals: Bette Davis, one of Hollywood’s most revered stars. Jim Beam, the world’s finest Bourbon”. 1973.

MITS Altair 8800 Microcomputer
A 1975 Christmas-themed advertisement from Byte magazine for the MITS Altair 8800 microcomputer.

Mazola Corn Oil
“Take This Ad To Your Doctor”, a 1975 Mazola corn oil ad with a medical note showing the health benefits of this oil.

Plinker’s Canyon – Sega
1976 advertisement from Play Meter for Sega’s electro-mechanical game Plinker’s Canyon.

Apple II
An Apple II advertisement from the December 1977 issue of Byte magazine.

Troop E, 303rd Cavalry
A recruiting advertisement for Troop E, 303rd Cavalry, Washington Army National Guard in the local Centralia Daily Chronicle newspaper, 1977.

Social Security Programs
Poster advertising Social Security programs, 1974.

Ford
Ford advertising with the text “Don’t let a woman drive it” as some kind of humor.

Tipalet Cigarettes
An Ad for Tipalet cigarettes from the 70’s.
Related:
- Surprising places people used to smoke without even thinking
- Golden-age stars who lived shockingly long lives — and the habits that kept them going
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