Feast Your Eyes: Retro Food Ads From A Bygone Era
June 10, 2024
How About Some Soup on the Rocks?
While many ads create a feeling of nostalgia, none quite trigger those old feelings like food ads. From memorable images to catchy slogans, these ads are etched in the minds of everyone who saw them. These retro food ads evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminding us of the flavors and experiences that shaped our past. From charming illustrations to unforgettable taglines, these ads offer a delightful glimpse into the culinary culture of yesteryear.
Join us on a journey of nostalgic food ads, unlocking memories, laughter, and possibly questions of "What is going on in this ad?" With popular brands and establishments included, these ads are great for invoking thoughts of "I remember when...."
Campbell's Soup turned heads in 1972 with a memorable ad that took their Beef Broth Bouillon in a surprising direction—poured over ice. The tagline, "Soup on the rocks," sits boldly beneath the image of a frosty glass filled with broth, suggesting that it be enjoyed straight over ice or jazzed up with a lemon garnish. At a time when soup was synonymous with hot, comforting winter meals, this ad was a bold departure from the norm. Fast forward to today, and what once seemed peculiar now appears intriguingly avant-garde. In an era where culinary experimentation is celebrated, the idea of "soup on the rocks" doesn’t seem all that strange. Campbell's Soup was ahead of its time, blending classic flavors with a cool twist that still manages to catch our eye.
Campell's Tomato Soup Ad, Featuring Who Else But Mark Twain
Picture this: the iconic Mark Twain, the literary genius behind "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Huckleberry Finn," cozying up with a steaming bowl of Campbell's Soup. Yes, you heard that right! In one of the most delightfully absurd crossovers in advertising history, the celebrated author, known for his sharp wit and satirical prose, was featured in a Campbell's Soup ad. It's as if the marketing team decided to time-travel and pluck Twain from the 19th century, plopping him into the role of a modern-day foodie. The ad, with its charmingly surreal vibe, captures Twain holding a giant tomato while contemplating just how Campbell's makes their tomato soup taste so swell.
Reddi-Bacon's Ad: Cooks in Your Toaster, but at a Risk
Reddi-Bacon decided to break out of the norm by introducing bacon that was cooked in toasters. In 1965, the brand released a straightforward ad stating, "Introducing Reddi-Bacon. Real Bacon that cooks in your toaster." What could go wrong?
Reddi-Whip invented Reddi-Bacon as a way to quickly cook breakfast without sacrificing flavor. Each packet included four strips of precooked bacon. The meat was placed between two sheets of foil and padded with absorbent paper. The idea was to place the entire packet inside the toaster to keep the grease from soiling or cleaning a pan.
While the concept of placing bacon in the toaster seems like a time-saver, but it didn't work out the way the brand had intended. Reddi-Whip pulled the product from test markets before it was released to customers and likely starting grease fires across the world.
Treet Meat Ad: Featuring Songwriter Hoagy Carmichael
Step into the wild world of 1950s advertising where nothing was too outlandish, and you'll find the legendary Hoagy Carmichael lending his star power to none other than Armour Treet Sandwich Meat. That's right, the suave songwriter behind timeless hits like "Stardust" and "Georgia on My Mind" crafted his very own sandwich creation. The ad features the "Hoagy Carmichael composition sandwich," a culinary masterpiece (or curiosity?) that boldly combines Treet Sandwich Meat on pumpernickel, with a daring mix of Spanish onion, hot mustard, and horseradish. This delightful concoction was marketed with the claim, "Famous sandwiches start with Treet," suggesting that if you wanted to emulate the sophistication of a musical icon, you’d start by slapping some processed meat on your bread. This vintage gem of an ad perfectly encapsulates the era's quirky charm and the bizarre yet fascinating lengths to which brands would go to glam up their products with a touch of celebrity magic.
Jaw-Dropping Hardee's Ad: Women Belong in the Kitchen
Transport yourself back to the 1940s, a time when Hardee's unleashed an ad campaign that would undoubtedly raise eyebrows today. The ad features a beaming woman standing proudly in her kitchen, gazing out the window at her husband and child, with the bold and unapologetic opening line, "Women don't leave the kitchen!" It confidently declares that a woman's place is in the kitchen, busily preparing a meal for her husband. The ad even throws a bone to bachelors, suggesting that those without a "little miss" at home should head to Hardee's for something "sloppy and hastily prepared." This blunt and startlingly direct piece of advertising not only underscores the gender norms of its time but also offers a stark contrast to contemporary sensibilities. It's a vivid reminder of how far we've come in redefining roles and expectations, making it nearly impossible to forget an ad as strikingly straightforward as this one.
Petri Wine Ad Featuring a Man in an Apron
In a delightful twist from the usual 1940s advertising fare, Petri Wine released an ad in 1948 that’s a far cry from the traditional gender roles of the era. The ad features a man donning a pink frilly apron, holding a plate of food in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, surrounded by a chaotic mess of ingredients and cookware. It’s a stark contrast to the Hardee’s ad from the same decade, leaning heavily into good-natured humor and aiming for a few giggles. The quote beneath the illustration, "Everything tastes better with Petri Wine," sets the tone for the ad, which boasts the family-owned recipe of Petri Wine. However, it’s the sight of a grown man in a bright pink apron that truly steals the spotlight, turning heads and challenging norms with a playful wink. Founded by Raffaello Petri in 1886, Petri Wine proudly highlights the skill passed down through generations, while this ad charmingly breaks the mold, inviting everyone to enjoy their fine wine with a side of laughter.
Oscar Mayer's Sack O Sauce Ad
In a bid to keep their canned meat flavorful, Oscar Mayer introduced the quirky and unforgettable Sack O Sauce in the 1950s. This vibrant ad, bursting with bold colors and realistic illustrations, showcased two cans of pork and beef flanking the star of the show—the Sack O Sauce. Below the cans, tantalizing images of meals prepared with Oscar Mayer's canned meat aimed to entice home cooks. Fast forward to today, and this ad's retro charm might strike some as strange and unappealing. Yet, it's hard to deny that it still accomplishes its mission: grabbing attention and sparking conversation. Oscar Mayer's Sack O Sauce remains a fascinating relic of mid-century marketing, proving that even the oddest concepts can leave a lasting impression.
Japan Airlines: Ideal For Everyone
In 1973, Japan Airlines took a heartwarming approach to cross-cultural dining with an ad that featured an American and a Japanese man enjoying a meal together during their flight. The ad's clever tagline, "One man's sushi is another man's steak," perfectly encapsulated the airline's message: no matter what cuisine you choose, you'll receive top-notch service. This charming image of two men eagerly sharing and savoring each other's food highlights a beautiful moment of cultural exchange and mutual respect. While sushi has since become a global favorite, the ad still evokes a sense of peace and camaraderie that resonates today
Pork in a Spork: Rhyming Ad for Canned Meat
What could be more memorable than a rhyming ad? How about one that spells out "Spork" with the meat itself! This quirky and oddly fascinating Spork canned meat ad catches your eye with the headline, "Try sweet-cured pork in Spork," set above an image of the word "Spork" spelled out in actual meat slices. Below this peculiar display, an illustration features Spork luncheon meat on a cutting board, complete with a knife ready for action. The bottom of the ad lists the product's benefits, but it's the bizarre yet captivating presentation that steals the show. In a world where marketing strives to stand out, this Spork ad's unique approach ensures it remains unforgettable, blending the oddity of meat typography with the charm of a rhyming tagline.
The American Meat Institute: It Is Okay to Like Meat
Sure, here's the paragraph in the same style:
In 1947, The American Meat Institute released an ad that boldly proclaimed, "You're right in liking meat," featuring a pair of hands holding an unwrapped slab of meat. The message was clear: it's perfectly fine to relish your meat-loving tendencies. Below this striking image, the ad listed the benefits of eating meat, touting everything from its rich flavor to its high protein content. While intended to reassure consumers, the ad's aggressive meat promotion might seem a bit overbearing to today's audience, particularly those favoring plant-based diets. The vivid use of colors, with the meat prominently displayed against a bright red background, ensured the ad grabbed attention and stayed memorable for those who grew up during that era. It's a fascinating snapshot of mid-century marketing, walking the fine line between endorsement and persuasion in a way that's both captivating and slightly strange by today's standards.
