Buy a Sony HP-188, get a threeway for free! 1970s
 
Ah, the 70s. If I could pick a decade to live in forever, that would be the one. From punk rock, to movies and television, cocaine… pretty much everything was better in the seventies. Except of course if you happened to be a woman. A fact that can be proven over and over again by simply taking a quick look back at how women were portrayed in advertising during the decade.
 

Pioneer SX-424 AM/FM Stereo receiver ad, 1970s
 
From cigarettes to cars, advertising in the 70s was demoralizing at best for women. So today I thought we’d take a look at some ads for stereo equipment that push the limits of taste. Listen, it’s not beyond my ability to comprehend that sex sells. Boobs are as beautiful as they are persuasive, and that will never change. While some of the ads I dug up are somewhat lighthearted, most are ridiculous, blatantly sexist and downright rape-y if you ask me. That said, some of the following images, which probably mostly appeared in men’s magazines and the likes of the National Lampoon should be considered NSFW.
 

Empire Grenadier speaker ad, 1970s
 

“Great Indoors” Sony stereo ad, 1970s
 

Empire 59811 Troubador Turntable ad, 1973. Ad reads: “Stereo is like loving - you give a lot to get a lot.”
 

BSR McDonald turntable ad, 1970s
 

Hugh Hefner-esque Akai stereo ad, 1970s
 

Electrophonic stereo ad, 1970s
 

Fisher 800-B stereo ad, 1970s. Additional text for the ad read: “Put her fears to rest. The Fisher 800-B Stereo Receiver is on her side. Neat, uncluttered, uncomplicated. No ‘electronics’ all over the house. Just one unit that takes up no more space than a dozen books. Looks great, too - and she can learn to operate it in a few minutes.”
 

“Swings four ways!” Automatic Radio “Tape Dek” Convertible ad, 1970s
 

Great Knobs stereo ad, 1970s

Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Hilariously WRONG sexist ad from the 1970s