Curative smoke

Tobacco smoking and war are a marriage made in heaven.

This ad announces that smoking is at an all time high -which seems very likely in the war-time economy of 1943.

But the red text with the wording "And you are safer smoking..." is totally misleading. Major weasel-wording here. Even with the disclaimer at the bottom, the casual reader thinks this is actually good for you.

"Smoking more", 1943
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Cooking with gas

A disruptive technology is an invention that turns the accepted standards into obsolescent memories. Usually in a very short time.

In the example at hand, we're talking about kerosene.

This ad sells conversion kits for stoves, and the premise is the same as today -better, hotter, more even cooking and "even a child can do it". Kerosene gas is the way of the future.

Hard to resist the line that says "No wood to chop or carry" - for a household in the 1920's, this kit must have been a revelation in simplicity.

"Burn gas", 1924
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Are you sure this is safe (4)

Any tan lamp that claims to be 4 times as powerful as the summer sun is not good for you.

This model works with a carbon-arc, which discharges a very high level of ultraviolet light -a malignant melanoma (skin cancer) would be one of the after-effects of indulging in this healthy machine.

The photo of the guy "sunbathing" with dark goggles says it all.

Dangerous stuff.

"Health tan", 1938
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The Detec-to-cell

The art in this ad is fantastic -the images of the policeman with the gun and the car yelling for help make you want to buy this product.

It's an ad for selling the Robot Detec-to-cell- and the claims of the device are the usual barrage of hyperbole - but a sentence like "...stands constant and faithful guard..." deserves a special mention for creativity.

"Electric cell", 1931
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Glamorous Foodarama

More 50's extravaganza and excessive consumption. The Foodarama refrigerator.

"Foodarama", 1956
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Only in prosperous post-war America you could find a behemoth fitted with a "freezer-wrap dispenser", a "breakfast bar " and a "banana rack" - truly, a glowing statement to the rising standards of living and the new status symbol of home appliances.

And, with the added value of a stereotypical 50's family using the fridge.

"Spaciousness", "glamorous", "beauty" and "magic" are all there to see - a perfect example of the work Mad Ad Men are paid to do.