By Michael Dorausch, DC

I recently found what I’d consider an old wellness advertisement in a newspaper from the early 1900s. It was an ad for something called the Claxton Ear-Cap and it was intended to keep kids from developing “ugly” ears. I found the marketing sales pitch language really interesting and I’ve transcribed most of it below. Check out the image…

No More Ugly Ears

Why allow your child to be annoyed in later life by outstanding ears, when you can easily prevent it now? Get the Claxton Ear-Cap, and let it be worn in the nursery and during sleep, and any tendency to ugly ears will soon be corrected. The pressure exerted is imperceptible, but thoroughly effective, and the cartilages of the ears are gently molded while they are pliable, and beautiful well-placed ears in adult life are thus assured. In addition, the Claxton Ear-Cap prevents the hair dangling during sleep, and causes the child to breathe through the nose instead of the mouth, which is so common a cause of chest and throat troubles. The Claxton Ear-Cap Is made in twenty-one sizes. Make no mistake. You must get the Claxton Ear-Cap. Cheap and nasty imitations are no good. In ordering, send measurements round head just above ears, and also over head, from lobe to lobe of ears. Perfect satisfaction guaranteed, or ear-cap exchanged.

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Gotta love old marketing copy.