Another post from my trip to Washington, D.C.! The National Museum of American History is a truly fantastic source for historical samples of graphic design. Currently, they have on display a marvelous collection of patent medicine containers and advertisements. I’m including some of my favorite items from the collection below. According to the exhibit:

“Manufacturers of patent medicines looked for ways to brand their products, employing symbolic imagery and distinctive packaging to capture the eyes of consumers. Imagery suggesting authenticity, safety, or reliability inspired consumer confidence. Stereotypes of ethnic and religious figures evoked a sense of specialized knowledge and abilities.”

Boy, if that doesn’t sound like the job of a designer! Obviously, these snake oil peddlers crossed the line using false promises and outright lies to sell their product. But an honest review of the above description should give any designer pause about what we do on a daily basis. Are we significantly better than the patent medicine pusher?

Click here to learn more about the Smithsonian’s collection of patent medicine objects.