14 Products from the Past That Made Outrageous Claims
These wild old-school products promised the impossible, and somehow, people believed them.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Before strict regulations and internet fact-checkers, companies made some truly unbelievable promises. From miracle cures to weight-loss wonders, many of these products claimed to do it all — without much proof. Here’s a jaw-dropping look at 14 vintage products that took marketing hype to the extreme.
1. Snake Oil Liniment
Thomas Quine on Flickr
This classic scam claimed to cure everything from arthritis to headaches. Sold by traveling salesmen, it was mostly mineral oil and false hope. Despite its dubious contents, people swore by it.
2. Vibrating Belt Machines
Andrew Kuchling on Flickr
Supposedly, you could just stand still while a jiggling belt melted fat away. Popular in the mid-20th century, gyms and spas swore by them. Spoiler alert: they didn’t work.
3. Cocaine Toothache Drops
Wikimedia Commons
Marketed for children, these drops promised instant relief from tooth pain. The active ingredient? Pure cocaine. It worked but also raised a few eyebrows once science caught up.
4. Tapeworm Diet Pills
Jim Griffin on Wikimedia Commons
These pills claimed to help you lose weight fast by growing an actual parasite in your gut. Labeled as “harmless,” they were anything but. Users risked serious health issues.
5. Radithor Energy Drink
Sam LaRussa on Flickr
This radioactive tonic claimed to boost vitality and sex drive. Made with radium, it was deadly over time. One well-known user died from radiation poisoning, yet it remained on shelves for years.
6. Lucky Strike Cigarettes – “Physician Recommended”
Benmooe on Wikimedia Commons
Ads featured doctors endorsing this cigarette brand for its “toasted” taste. It was marketed as smoother and even good for your throat. The medical seal of approval was entirely fabricated.
7. Lysol Feminine Hygiene Spray
Wikimedia Commons
This product claimed to make women more appealing by “cleansing” down there. The original formula was practically toxic and meant for cleaning surfaces.
8. Dr. Batty’s Asthma Cigarettes
daniel.b on Wikimedia Commons
Billed as a treatment for asthma, these herbal cigarettes were supposed to open airways. Smoking for lung health? Irony at its finest.
9. Baby Cage Window Cribs
know nunsense on Flickr
These hanging wire cages were designed to let babies get fresh air from apartment windows. Claimed to boost health and immunity, they dangled several stories above city streets.
10. Beauty Micrometer (aka “Face Measuring Machine”)
Jllm06 on Wikimedia Commons
This bizarre metal contraption was said to detect facial flaws invisible to the eye. Beauty salons used it to sell corrective makeup. It looked more like a torture device than a beauty tool.
11. Ban-Bar “Radioactive” Shaving Lotion
Kaboompics.com on Pexels
This promised a youthful glow using low doses of radioactive thorium. The idea was that radiation would stimulate the renewal of skin cells.
12. DDT Mosquito Spray for Homes
Otis Historical Archives National Museum of Health and Medicine on Flickr
Heavily promoted as a safe household insecticide, DDT was sprayed indoors — even around babies. Ads praised it as “harmless to humans.” Turns out, it was extremely toxic and later banned worldwide.
13. Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp Root Tonic
Joe Mabel on Wikimedia Commons
Promised to “cleanse the kidneys” and treat everything from liver problems to bladder infections. Contained mostly alcohol and mystery herbs. Marketed as a medical breakthrough, it was really just overpriced booze.
14. Electric Corsets
Aussie~mobs on Flickr
Claimed to tone your muscles, fix posture, and even cure back pain through mild electric shocks. Meant for women, it combined fashion with sketchy science.