Greatest Self-Defense Offer Ever

The concept of this ad is pretty much illegal today- learn self-defense techniques and break the bones of your enemies using the "Guerrilla Defense" they call it. The line art says it all.

"You might be a lightweight but you can overpower the biggest bully" - a very risky claim if you have no previous real-life physical training. You might not get out of that one in one piece.

"Like twigs", 1943
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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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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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