17 Ads That Reveal the Quirks of the 1950s

Written by Erin Kuschner on updated
A large roadside billboard advertises the 1955 Ford car, showing a green and white model. Below the sign, an older black car is parked on a dirt lot with several other parked cars and an industrial building in the background.

Advertisements can tell us a lot about an era. The 1950s were a golden age in advertising, and incorporated catchy slogans, long paragraphs of copy, and idealized representations of an American lifestyle. From Zenith TVs to Ford Galaxies (and plenty of food products), these 17 ads from the 1950s clue us in to the products that captured Americans’ interests during the decade.

1. 7UP (1950s)

A vintage advertisement for 7-Up features a family in a colorful kitchen. A man in a hat pours 7-Up into a punch bowl while others look on happily. The bold text reads "fresh up with Seven-Up!" with bottles and glasses of 7-Up around.
shrimpwheel / Reddit.com
u/shrimpwheel via Reddit.com

2. Green Giant Corn Niblets (1950s)

A vintage advertisement features a family at a dining table. An older man serves corn to a young boy who looks reluctant. A tray of corn kernels and a can of Niblets corn are displayed. The text highlights the convenience of canned corn.
nina_ballerina / Reddit.com
u/nina_ballerina via Reddit.com

3. Wilson & Co. Mor (1950)

A vintage advertisement featuring a boy wearing a "USA" cap sitting on a wooden fence with "Jimmy Loves Mary MOR!" chalked beside him. A girl in a dress holding chalk looks at him. Cans of MOR meat products and text describe sandwich specials below.
TanglimaraTrippin / Reddit.com
u/TanglimaraTrippin via Reddit.com

4. Sealtest Ice Cream (1950/1951)

morganmonroe81 / Reddit.com

5. Zenith TV (1951)

Vintage advertisement featuring a Zenith TV with text promoting the ease of operation using their miracle turret tuner. The ad includes an image of the TV and the tuner, and displays the Zenith Radio Television logo at the bottom right.
PappyKolaches / Reddit.com
u/PappyKolaches via Reddit.com

6. American Kitchens (1951)

A vintage advertisement titled "Now! American Kitchens" promoting kitchen sets. The ad features a man and woman talking about refurbishing a kitchen. Illustrations show a modern kitchen with red and white accents, cupboards, and appliances.
PappyKolaches / Reddit.com
u/PappyKolaches via Reddit.com

7. Howard Johnson’s (1951)

A vintage Howard Johnson's ad shows a family in a car looking at a giant chocolate ice cream cone. The ad highlights “28 flavors!” and promotes the restaurant as a “Landmark For Hungry Americans.”
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

8. Hot Dawg Relish (1952)

Vintage advertisement featuring Mr. Giggles promoting "Hot Dawg Relish." The text highlights its use on meats, cheese, and more. Includes Delta Packing Co. contact information for recipes. Black-and-white with playful design.
WhoIsTheAleMan / Reddit.com
u/WhoIsTheAleMan via Reddit.com

9. Cellophane (1953)

A smiling young girl with curly blonde hair holds a bag of potato chips labeled "Cellophane Keeps It Fresh," with text promoting Du Pont Cellophane. She says, "Have some chips—they're scrumptious!
colonelanthrax / Reddit.com

10. Ethyl Gasoline (1954)

A woman and a man sit smiling in a car at night; the man looks especially excited. The ad promotes Ethyl high-octane gasoline, with a slogan and a drawing of a gasoline pump in the bottom right corner.
mistermajik2000 / Reddit.com

11. Spry Ground Beef (1954)

A vintage advertisement featuring a can of Spry vegetable shortening and a cooked piece of ground beef on a foil-covered tray. A hand is holding a slice, with text highlighting Spry's benefits.
TanglimaraTrippin / Reddit.com
u/TanglimaraTrippin via Reddit.com

12. Texaco Sky Chief Gasoline (1955)

Vintage Texaco advertisement featuring the Sky Chief gas can. Top text promotes better engine performance. A red star and green "T" logo are at the top. The ad highlights three benefits of using Petrox in Sky Chief gasoline. Texaco dealers listed in all 48 states.
bil_sabab / Reddit.com
u/bil_sabab via Reddit.com

13. Lockheed Super Constellation (1956)

A stylish woman stands in the aisle of a vintage airplane, speaking to seated passengers. The cabin looks spacious and luxurious, with people dressed in 1950s attire. Text above advertises Lockheed Super Constellation air travel.
marbleriver / Reddit.com

14. Franco-American Macaroni (1956)

A vintage advertisement showcasing Franco-American Macaroni with cheese sauce. The image displays a can of the product alongside a serving dish filled with baked macaroni, garnished with cheese. Fresh vegetables surround the display, enhancing the presentation.
PinupCheesecakeSale / Reddit.com
u/PinupCheesecakeSale via Reddit.com

15. Kraft Swiss Cheese (1956)

A vintage advertisement for Kraft Natural Swiss Cheese featuring a plate with Swiss cheese on bread and slices of ham. A cup of coffee is beside the plate. The text highlights pairing the cheese with drinks, showcased with retro-style graphics and fonts.
PinupCheesecakeSale / Reddit.com
u/PinupCheesecakeSale via Reddit.com

16. Cheerios (1956)

A vintage Cheerios advertisement with a red bowl of Cheerios and blueberries, a spoon, and a box of Cheerios. Text above reads, "Cheerios made from oats need no cooking taste so toasty you’ll enjoy ’em!
PinupCheesecakeSale / Reddit.com
u/PinupCheesecakeSale via Reddit.com

17. Ford Galaxie (1959)

A vintage advertisement showcases three white Ford Galaxie cars with open doors. The cars are adorned with white garlands on a grassy field, surrounded by elegantly dressed people and a table under a canopy. Text includes "Announcing the New Ford Galaxie.
Trivial_Web69 / Reddit.com
u/Trivial_Web69 via Reddit.com

Want more nostalgic 1950s content?

Take a trip down memory lane with 12 Nostalgic Photos of 1950s Tupperware Parties. Plus, don’t miss 16 Gorgeous Photos That Showcase the Glamour of 1950s Jewelry and 14 Things From the 1950s That Could Be Worth a Ton Today.