Come fly with me

Even in an era so careless and happy as The Roaring Twenties, you can't possible become an "Expert Aircraft Engineer" in a few months, studying from the comfort of your own house?

"Learn Aviation", 1925
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But the closing paragraph about "write for special offer on free airplane parts" has the nasty smell of a scam.

Almost subliminal

"Sleeping women of the free world, Uncle Sam needs your help". Or so it can be inferred from this clever piece -almost war propaganda- from an underwear manufacturer.

Even nighties can be patriotic -this ad is pointing out the benefit of a good sleep for improving efficiency in war work. And what better underwear for sleeping well? You guessed it.

The "Fighting Trims" - did nobody come up with a better name for this? Ouch.

"Keep in trim", 1943
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Magnetic sharpener

This has to be near the top of the list of loonie claims of the Twentieth Century.

"Harnessing Magnetic Energy" to sharpen a knife -or a razor blade like in this ad- by re-aligning the steel molecules at the edge. This ad just ticks all the right boxes: big words, dubious claims, a quasi-magical product with no competition and the promise of lots and lots of money.

"The most efficient shaving aid ever invented" seems to be just another direct sale scam. But the 1930's art is pretty sharp. Pun intended.

"Sharpen razor blades", 1931
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Washing isotopes

More atomic madness in the 1950's.

Take a load of clothes, get them dirty with radioactive isotopes, use some washing machines to get the dirt out and test with a Geiger counter.

"Our washing machines remove radioactivity better than your washing machines".

"Atomic laundry", 1954
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Blackface comedy

A minstrel show is an American form of entertainment where black people are portrayed in a way that is comical to a white audience. Truly racist entertainment.

Remember the black people in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" or "Tom Sawyer"? That's some of the stereotypes: funny and incompetent black people.

The ad here gives you the chance to learn it and you even get your own black person makeup. If you did this today you'll end up in jail. Or shot. Or both.

"Minstrels", 1930
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