15 TV Ads from the ’60s That Are Wildly Offensive Today
The 1960s gave us groovy music, bold fashion, and a television ad game that was… well, let’s call it “a sign of the times.” Back then, advertisers didn’t just push products but they served up gender stereotypes, cultural clichés, and a cringe-worthy dose of outdated social norms.
These ads were selling a slice of mid-century life that, in hindsight, feels more like a burnt piece of toast. From cigarette campaigns that exhaled audacity to beauty standards that could curl more than your hair, these commercials are excellent reminders of how far we’ve come.
1. Tipalet Cigarettes Ad
The Tipalet ad from the ’60s takes audacity to a whole new level. It features a man puffing cigarette smoke directly into a woman’s face, suggesting this was a flirtatious move. Today, this behavior would likely lead to outrage, not romance.
Aside from trivializing smoking’s health risks, the ad also underscores outdated attitudes toward personal boundaries. It’s a stark reminder of how advertising once glamorized questionable social interactions. Thankfully, the shift in societal norms has made such relics seem absurdly out of place.
2. Folgers Coffee Commercial
Folgers brewed up controversy in the ’60s with its ads portraying women as failures if they couldn’t make the perfect cup of coffee. The message was simple yet painfully outdated: “Don’t disappoint your husband.”
While it might spark laughter today, the ad serves as a glaring example of the rigid gender roles women were expected to adhere to. Modern advertising now celebrates shared responsibilities and individuality, making this vintage gem a cringe-worthy artifact of its time.
3. Colgate Toothpaste Ad
Colgate’s ’60s ad campaign revolved around the idea that good teeth meant good luck—romantically speaking. While a dazzling smile is still a universal asset, equating dental hygiene to romantic success feels shallow by today’s standards.
This relic reflects a shift from societal approval to personal health benefits in advertising. The transformation highlights how far we’ve come in prioritizing self-care over superficial rewards.
4. Kent Cigarettes Commercial
Imagine a serene family picnic, complete with parents puffing Kent cigarettes while their children play nearby. In the 1960s, this was considered perfectly normal. Today, such imagery feels shockingly inappropriate.
The ad glamorized smoking as an everyday activity, even in family settings—a notion that starkly contrasts with modern public health standards. It’s a vivid reminder of the leniency toward smoking in past decades and the strides we’ve made in promoting healthier lifestyles.
5. Chase & Sanborn Coffee Ad
Chase & Sanborn’s shocking coffee ad implied domestic violence as an acceptable reaction to subpar coffee. Featuring a man poised to strike a woman, this ad is disturbing on every level.
The trivialization of such serious issues in media is incomprehensible today. This ad stands as a stark reminder of how far we’ve come in addressing domestic violence and fostering respect in relationships.
6. Van Heusen Shirt Ad
Van Heusen’s breakfast-in-bed ad showed a man being pampered by a woman, all because of his choice in shirts. The message was clear: men deserved to be served, while women’s role was to cater.
Such outdated gender dynamics are laughable by today’s standards. Modern ads focus on equality and partnership, leaving this relic as a reminder of the stereotypes that once dominated media.
7. Calgon ‘Ancient Chinese Secret’ Commercial
Calgon’s infamous “Ancient Chinese Secret” ad leaned heavily on cultural clichés, portraying a Chinese laundry owner with a mysterious cleaning formula. While it aimed for humor, the ad instead perpetuated harmful stereotypes.
Today, it’s seen as an example of how media failed to embrace diversity and representation. The progress toward cultural sensitivity in advertising is evident when compared to this outdated approach.
8. Schlitz Beer Ad
Schlitz’s beer ad suggested that a cold beer was the ultimate solution to marital woes. The narrative: women should always have beer ready for their husbands.
This outdated take on gender roles feels absurd now. Thankfully, modern beer ads focus on shared enjoyment and camaraderie, rather than outdated notions of dominance. It’s amusing to see how far these campaigns have evolved.
9. Anacin Headache Medicine Ad
Anacin’s ad portrayed women as overly emotional, needing headache relief to keep their households harmonious. The underlying message: a woman’s health was secondary to her domestic responsibilities.
Fortunately, such stereotypes have been left behind as modern ads champion health and well-being for everyone. Yet, Anacin’s commercial is a reminder of past biases and the progress toward more empowering narratives.
10. Toni Home Permanent Ad
Toni’s home permanent ad sold more than curls—it sold a narrative of women and girls needing flawless hair to meet societal expectations. Beauty was framed as a family affair, with uniformity taking precedence over individuality.
Today’s advertising celebrates diversity and natural beauty, encouraging self-expression. This ad serves as a time capsule of bygone beauty norms and how they’ve evolved to embrace authenticity.
11. Palmolive Soap Commercial
Palmolive’s soap ads in the ’60s equated beauty with domesticity, portraying women as dishwashing queens with soft hands. The implication was clear: femininity was tied to household chores.
Modern advertising champions self-care for everyone, untethered from traditional roles. Palmolive’s ad highlights how far we’ve come in redefining beauty and personal care beyond societal expectations.
12. Ajax Laundry Detergent Ad
With knights in shining armor doing laundry, Ajax’s whimsical ad implied only a valiant hero could handle tough stains. While playful, the ad reinforced gender stereotypes about household tasks.
Today’s ads focus on inclusivity and practicality, encouraging everyone to take charge of domestic responsibilities. Ajax’s knightly marketing reflects a bygone era, reminding us of the strides toward equality in home care.
13. Lysol Feminine Hygiene Ad
Lysol’s foray into feminine hygiene is a striking example of past misconceptions about women’s health. The product was marketed as essential for marital harmony, placing undue pressure on women.
Modern advertising has thankfully shifted to focus on empowerment and well-being. Lysol’s ad highlights the evolution from compliance to self-care, showcasing how much progress has been made.
14. Alcoa Aluminum Ad
Alcoa’s ad celebrated jars that even a woman could open—yes, that was the tagline. The implication that women needed special help for simple tasks is almost laughable now.
Modern ads embrace independence and capability, making this relic seem charmingly archaic. It’s a whimsical reminder of how much gender dynamics have evolved in media.
15. Brylcreem Hair Cream Ad
Brylcreem promised not just stylish hair but also irresistible charm. Its message was clear: grooming was about attracting women, not personal satisfaction.
Today, self-expression and individuality are the focus, making Brylcreem’s dated appeal a fun glimpse into the past. It’s a nostalgic reminder of how personal care advertising has grown to embrace confidence over conformity.