Ever since the first ads appeared in newspapers in the early 19th century and on television in the early 1940s, advertising has had a significant impact on our buying behavior. Advertising is designed to influence our attitudes and opinions, and it does so very effectively, often without us even realizing. Advertisers are experts at persuasion. They use every tool at their disposal to influence your attitudes and behavior, and that has remained true since the very beginnings of advertising.
Travel back to a bygone time and take a glimpse at what everyone was seeing in advertisements in the decades starting with the 50s. From harmlessly witty to sweetly nostalgic and straight-up absurd, some of these may even bring back memories of your own glory days. Try taking a walk down memory lane to see if you can identify these retro advertisements and what vintage products they were marketing back then.
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Let's Go Back in Time! Can You Get 18 on This Vintage Ads Quiz? Questions
What famous product first used the tagline "Have a Break. Have a ___" in 1957?
Minute Maid
Oscar Mayer
Big Mac
Kit Kat
What "wife-savers" is this guy selling?
Salisbury steak
Fried chicken
Chicken noodle soup
TV dinner
Back then, little girls thought that this toy kitchen appliance was the best thing since sliced bread. What was its name?
Little Tikes First Oven
Fun Time Bake Oven
Easy-Bake Oven
Tastybake Oven
What was the name of the lady plumber who acted as spokeswoman for "Comet" cleanser?
Faucet
Mable
Maude
Josephine
What is the "amazing discovery", a morning staple for some people, featured in this 1953 ad?
Cocoa powder
Nutella
Instant coffee
Peanut butter
What was the job of Madge, a character portrayed by Jan Miner in an ad for Palmolive liquid?
Housekeeper
Manicurist
Cleaner
Cook
What chocolate product featured in this 1956 ad?
Nestlé Milk Chocolate
Snickers
3 Musketeers
Reese's Fast Break
What's the name of this man who secretly can't resist squeezing the Charmin (toilet tissue)?
He didn't have a name
Mr. Whipple
Marshmallow Man
Mr. Teddy
"Where's the beef?" was a famous catchphrase used by which American fast food chain?
Jack in the Box
Wendy's
McDonald's
White Castle
What is the candy bar advertised in this 1954 ad?
Butterfinger
Nestlé milk chocolate
Oh Henry!
Mars bar
This 1951 ad featured a food item. What is it? Hint: Andy Warhol famously painted it.
Rice Krispies Treats
Kellogg's corn flakes
Cracker Jack
Campbell's soup
Here's another for you. What is the featured product that is made doubly fresh in this 1954 ad?
Chicken pie
Chocolate cake
Spam
Bread
Which company began its commercial with the line "I can't believe I ate the whole thing"?
Pepto-Bismol
Bromo Seltzer
Tums
Alka-Seltzer
"The Lonely Repairman" was another household icon originating in the 1960s. What product used him in their advertisements?
Whirlpool
Maytag
Kenmore
Kitchen Aid
This product was specially created to make even the simplest salads taste wonderful. What is it?
Cool Whip
Häagen-Dazs
Hellmann's
Miracle Whip
What product angered Mother Nature enough to have her utter the words "It's Not Nice to Fool Mother Nature"?
Margarine
Mayonnaise
Whipped cream
Butter
"Where there's life, there's ___!" What company used this tagline in a 1958 ad?
Pantene
Heineken
Coke
Budweiser
Which fast food restaurant came up with this jingle in 1971 that went like this: "You deserve a break today! So get up and get away!"?
McDonald's
KFC
White Castle
Five Guys
This carbonated beverage was created in the late 19th century and continues to be popular even today. What is it?
Coca-Cola
Budweiser
Sprite
Perrier
Which product debuted the "Oh-oh!" slogan in 1950?
Froot Loops
Oreo
Eggo
SpaghettiOs
Which American food company produced this ad for a kitchen staple in 1951?
Quaker Oats
Cream of Wheat
Heinz ketchup
Morton Salt
What bottle is this woman holding in the 1955 ad?
Gatorade
Coca-Cola
7 Up
Pepsi
In the 1970s, this fast food restaurant had people singing the catchy lyrics to its commercial, "Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce, special orders don't upset us - all we ask is that you let us have it your way." Which one was it?
McDonald's
In-N-Out Burger
Burger King
Five Guys
Finally, what food product featured a stubborn mule in its 1954 print ad?
Dairy Queen
Nutella
Jell-O
Cool Whip
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