Get a load of those stinky Martians!
It was in 1893 that the Yerkes Observatory in Wisconsin–the birthplace of modern astrophysics–introduced the then-largest refracting telescope in the world, which cost a half a million bucks
Playing off that great step forward in science was Kirk’s Soap, which is still in business today after 160 years. The ad joked about Mars having intelligent life. These Martians apparently smelled like crap and we needed to be honest with them for their own good, so we offered them Earth soap.
The tag line on the soap: “Kirk’s Dusky Diamond Soap, best for Ladies Toilet.” Even for lady Martians, apparently.
Recent Old Print Ads:
- Non-Wilting Jockstraps (1941)
- Showgirl Laxatives (1901)
- Depilatory Powder (1915)
- Spanish Flu Warning (1918)
- Men’s Slimming Belt (1952)