50 Inappropriate Ads From The Past That Didn't Stand The Test Of Time

Today, we're way more careful about the way we handle lead. The batteries get assembled in sequestered plants, with employees wearing face masks. The majority of the work is also done by robots.

Steven Jones, plant manager at EnerSys, told NPR that the manufacturing process is a technological ballet. "Through this level of automation, we're providing a cleaner environment for our operators and again, providing a safer environment."

Cigarette companies also don't have a good track record when it comes to advertising. A 1946 Camel ad, for example, claimed that doctors, according to an "independent survey," recommend smoking.

An even more crazy 1890 advertisement claimed that cigarettes can help treat asthma and other respiratory ailments. They even recommended giving them to kids older than six. Many similar ads touted the benefits of smoking: less irritation, child-friendly, and one even claimed cigarettes were "pure as the water you drink."

Olympic Athlete Jesse Owens was the face of White Owl cigars in 1960. Sadly but ironically, he passed away from lung cancer in 1980. The first serious report warning the public about the dangers of smoking came out in 1962.

In 1964, the U.S. Surgeon General did the same. The U.S. government first took action in 1965, requiring manufacturers to include information for consumers about the dangers of smoking on the label.

All these examples from the past can make one wonder: weren't there any policies against false advertising back in the day? Not really, at least until the 1970s. People's mistrust of advertising was rising by then.

That's when the FTC also started a regulation revolution -- at last, they were asking marketers to prove the validity of their claims. They also cracked down on advertising toward children. Whereas advertisers enjoyed their unchecked privilege before, now they have more responsibility.