In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, kids were used to promote cigarettes, firearms, drugs and much more.
Many of the ads — which feature things like cellophane-wrapped infants and gun-toting toddlers — seem irresponsible and creepy.
These ads of yesteryear have to be embarrassing for some of the big name companies that did it — General Electric, Philip Morris and Mattel all had some strange ads with kids.
Lloyd Manufacturing Co. -- Cocaine toothache drops (1885)
Pears -- Soap (1890s)
Grove’s -- Tonic (1890s)
Ayer's -- Cathartic pills (1890s)
Rainier -- Beer (1905)
Gillette -- Safety razor (1905)
Iver Johnson -- Revolvers (1913)
GE -- Sun Lamp (1941)
Camel -- Cigarettes (1946)
Douglas -- Aircraft (1949)
Lane Bryant -- Clothing (1950s)
General Foods -- Sanka Decaf Coffee (1951)
Philip Morris -- Marlboro Cigarettes (1951)
DuPont -- Cellophane (1954)
7-Up -- Soda (1956)
Philip Morris -- Cigarettes (1956)
General Mills -- Trix Cereal (1957)
The Distillers Company -- Distaval sedatives (1960)
Mattel -- M16 Marauder toy (1967)
Love's Cosmetics -- Baby Soft lotion (1974)
Cigarettes, guns, drugs and much more.
BONUS: Young Fritz -- Cigar box label
Now see how some brands purposely offend you with their ads
Check Out 26 Incredibly Daring Ads That Were Made To Shock You >
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