Advertising
Raise Giant Frogs
During the 1930s and 40s, there was good money to be made by raising giant frogs, as evidenced by the number of ads promoting this income opportunity.The plan was to buy the booklet "A Future in Frogs." Start growing the giant frogs. Sell them to the American Frog Canning Co. Then count all your money!
The booklet "A Future in Frogs" seems to have entirely disappeared. I can't find any copies used or in libraries. The world has lost a literary classic.
Modern Mechanix - Jan 1936
Los Angeles Times - June 21, 1936
Chicago Tribune - Dec 4, 1940
Posted By: Alex - Sat Oct 26, 2013 -
Comments (8)
Category: Animals, Advertising, 1930s
Welch’s Family Wine
I'm sure this product, with its lookalike packaging, offered many kids a handy excuse for sampling booze. "But Ma, I thought I was drinking Welch's grape juice!"
Posted By: Paul - Wed Oct 23, 2013 -
Comments (7)
Category: Advertising, Children, Teenagers, 1950s, Alcohol
Embalming Fluid
Ad from Mortuary Management magazine. Makes me wonder, what would happen if an embalmer didn't feel fully confident? [via Bess Lovejoy]
Posted By: Alex - Sun Oct 20, 2013 -
Comments (6)
Category: Death, Advertising
All Over Rain Cover
[Click to enlarge]
Air holes? Who need to breath so long as you're dry?
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 14, 2013 -
Comments (8)
Category: Death, Fashion, Advertising, 1940s, Weather
Jockey—They Keep Their Fit
In 1955, Jockey Briefs ran an ad campaign featuring young boys shoving guns into their underwear.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Alex - Sun Oct 13, 2013 -
Comments (9)
Category: Guns, Advertising, Underwear
“I Can’t Take a Boy with THAT Many Pimples!”
My question: if this happened to Jack in 2013, could he launch a successful discrimination lawsuit?
Original ad here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Oct 08, 2013 -
Comments (5)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Body, Work and Vocational Training, Advertising, 1930s
Follies of the Madmen #212
Could you bring yourself to eat a sentient, talking cheese? With a Rasta accent?
Posted By: Paul - Mon Oct 07, 2013 -
Comments (3)
Category: Anthropomorphism, Business, Advertising, Products, Food
Bradley Column Shower
A 1961 ad for the Bradley Column Shower. Maybe it's just me, but it looks like the guy in the middle is getting pretty familiar with that column.
Posted By: Alex - Wed Oct 02, 2013 -
Comments (6)
Category: Advertising
Boulder Face
Does your face look like weathered rock? Then we want you on our TV show. Print ads from 2007 for some program called AXN Faces. [via coloribus.com]
Posted By: Alex - Fri Sep 27, 2013 -
Comments (7)
Category: Advertising
Follies of the Madmen #211
Yes, aliens probably have never had a cup of cocoa until they visit Earth; and if individuals of their kind live for hundreds of years, that would indeed be a very long time to go without cocoa.
But you know what? Aliens, cocoa...? Forget it! I still don't get the connection, no matter how hard I try.
Original ad here. (Scroll down.)
Posted By: Paul - Wed Sep 25, 2013 -
Comments (15)
Category: Aliens, Business, Advertising, Products, Chocolate, 1960s
| Who We Are |
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |