40 Unbelievable Old Newspaper Ads That Show Just How Times Have Changed

I love flipping through old ads because they're like tiny, time-traveling windows into what people thought was cutting-edge. But let's be real—some of these products are so bizarre they feel like satire. Let's take a stroll down memory lane to a time when newspapers were filled with ads for gadgets and products that seem absolutely wild today. These weren't just "things of their time"—they were peak innovation. A gun-shaped TV remote? Genius! A car hot dog maker? Revolutionary! A combination calculator/alarm clock/cigarette lighter? Why settle for just one function when you can have it all? And let's not even get started on potato fudge spread… because, honestly, what?!

Imagine pitching a hot dog maker for your dashboard in 2024! Still, there's something incredibly charming about the creativity and unbridled optimism of these retro ads. They're quirky, weird, and honestly? Kind of amazing.

Author image for John Summers John Summers
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design fail 1990s 90s memes retro architecture clever nostalgia design smart interesting 80s music Nostalgia Overload buildings designer 80s 90s kids 90s bad design building beauty memory lane good design nostalgia memes graphic design beautiful millennial-nostalgia 1980s
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