It’s somewhat surprising to learn that the world was first introduced to money-saving discount coupons way back in the mid-1890s, courtesy of – rather unsurprisingly – Coca-Cola, then a young company who at the time only had a few products to advertise. Following a brainstorm by the company’s head, Asa Griggs Candler, coupons similar to those pictured above were both direct-mailed to potential customers and placed in magazines in an effort to tempt the masses, and the plan worked. Very quickly profits soared, other companies latched on to the idea, and the rest is history. Today, discount coupons are still going strong, but, as is the case with so many other areas of business, such offers are now a roaring trade online in the form of promotional codes.
As a tribute to the world of paper-based discount coupons, here’s a look back at some of the most intriguing vintage designs from the past – some funny; some beautifully designed; some strange, and some simply enjoyable flashbacks to products of old. Enjoy.
FOR WOMANKIND
Above: Calgon – Tirelessly supplying Womankind with discounted products since at least 1970.
Pay What You Punch
Above: An incredibly early – circa 1900 – coupon punch-card, distributed by Coca-Cola.
Put it in your purse now
Above: Discounted generalisations from Procter & Gamble on a 1947 Tide coupon.
Save on Life
Above: A charming coupon for Life breakfast cereal, promoted in 1963.
To keep you lovelier…
Above: A Copper Tan Face Powder coupon. It must’ve been hard to resist such an offer.
LOTION, TUBE OR JAR
Above: A 1970 Head and Shoulders coupon, designed by Tom Richardson.
Giggles & Smiles & Giggles & Laughs
Above: 10¢ off the only cereal that smiles back at you. From 1976.
Even for women with dry problem hands
Above: No word on the health implications for men with dry problem hands. From 1965.
Toast’em Treats
Above: Incredibly, this extremely modern-looking coupon was produced in the 1960s.
SEE UP TO 18 MILES
Above: Quite a claim, and quite a price for such powerful technology. 1967.
“Yes, Darling…”
Above: An entirely feminine Dove coupon from 1962.
Instant Maxwell House Coffee
Above: Bright and bold, from the late 1960s.
You buy the Knox
Above: A 1968 coupon entitling all Knox Gelatine Drinkers to cut-price nylon stockings.
Froot Loops
Above: A young Toucan Sam on a colourful 1964 Froot Loops coupon.
Come a little closer, madam
Above: A suitably creepy Vincent Price advertising Monster Vitamins coupons in 1975.
Coffee-mate
Above: A lovely Coffee-mate coupon from 1965.
BUNDLE OR CANS
Above: A vibrant Comet coupon from 1964. Note the pre-barcode punch card holes.
The bet is on
Above: An almost disturbing cat-food coupon from Ralston in 1982.
POP-TARTS
Above: A 1970 Pop-Tarts coupon. Incredibly, there were already 15 flavours available.
For Alive Hair
Above: A beautifully crafted shampoo coupon from 1967.
YOU CAN WIN THIS T.V.
Above: More interesting than the coupon itself is the T.V.’s alarmingly small screen. We’ve come so far.
Hard to believe?
Above: A Gaines-Burger coupon from 1970. Fantastic design.
BE OUR GUEST
Above: ‘Electronic Restaraunt’…? A stark, intriguing Wimpy’s Drive-In coupon from 1964.
[...] that the world was first introduced to money-saving discount coupons way back in the mid-1890s, courtesy of – rather unsurprisingly – Coca-Cola, then a young company who at the time only had a few products to advertise. Following a brainstorm [...]