Lisa O
Ever hear people say how things were simpler in the past — when tough guys ruled, and you could legally remove half of someone’s brain just for being gay? Well, back in your grandparents’ day, life wasn’t all that simple. Surprisingly, a lot of things that are shocking today were actually legal — from drugs like meth to some pretty extreme acts of violence. Here are 20 things you won’t believe used to be legal.
Cocaine Added to Coca-Cola
When Coca-Cola was first brewed up in the late 1800s, it actually included cocaine as one of its ingredients. Back then, adding cocaine to drinks was legal and was thought to give you a bit of a buzz. However, as time went on, concerns started swirling about its addictive nature and health risks. This prompted Coca-Cola to kick cocaine out of its recipe in 1904, adjusting to evolving attitudes and tighter rules around drug use.
Heroin Used as Medicine
Heroin hit the shelves as a supposed safer substitute to morphine, available without a prescription in pharmacies until 1914. Doctors handed it out for pain relief and to quiet coughs. But as its popularity soared, so did concerns about its addictive grip and health risks. This led governments to crack down with stricter rules to rein in its use.
Public Executions as Spectacle
In the past, public executions were not just legal—they were sensational events. They were dramatic shows meant to scare people away from crime. Huge crowds turned up, thinking they were witnessing justice in action and that it kept society in check. But as time went on, doubts crept in about the fairness and the effects of these brutal public events.
Child Labor in Factories
Back in the Industrial Revolution, little kids as young as five were working long days in factories and mines. They didn’t get much schooling or care, and it was all totally legal. But by the late 1800s and early 1900s—people started pushing for change. They wanted laws to stop kids from working so much and to make sure they could go to school. It was a big move to make life better for the young workers.
Segregation in Public Spaces
Until the middle of the 20th century, laws in many parts of the United States forced racial segregation. They made it mandatory to have separate places for people of different races in schools, buses, and other public spots. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement fought hard against these laws. They won big court cases that said segregating people by race was totally against the Constitution.
Lead Paint in Homes
Until the 1970s, homes and buildings often used paint containing lead, even though it was known to be super harmful—especially to kids’ health and growth. It was popular because it lasted long and was cheap. However, as people learned more about how lead can make people sick, they pushed for laws to ban lead-based paint in many places around the world.
LSD Therapy for Mental Health
In the middle of the 20th century, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) was used in therapy to see if it could help with mental health problems like depression and PTSD. People thought it could help patients think deeply and have important emotional breakthroughs. But as some started using it just for fun and people worried about its lasting effects, it became a controlled substance.
Dueling for Honor and Reputation
Dueling used to be a thing where people fought each other with deadly weapons to settle arguments about honor. It was legal and totally okay in many places. People saw it as a way to protect their reputations and honor. But because it often ended in death and society started preferring more peaceful ways to solve problems—dueling got banned in most places.
Eugenics Programs for “Better” Society
Back in the early 1900s, some places had this wild idea called eugenics. They thought they could make society better by controlling who had kids. So they forced some people to get sterilized if they didn’t measure up—whether by their genes, race, or social status. But it turned into a big mess, violating a lot of people’s rights, and eventually, everyone realized it was a bad idea.
Slavery’s Chains and Injustice
Back in the day, slavery was totally legal in many places, even in the United States. It wasn’t until the 1800s and 1900s that people started pushing to end it. Slavery meant forcing millions of people (mostly Africans) into hard labor with no rights or freedom. But thanks to those who fought against it and changed the laws—slavery eventually became illegal almost everywhere.
Animal Fighting for Entertainment
In the past, blood sports like bear-baiting and cockfighting were legal forms of entertainment. Animals were made to fight each other until one was seriously hurt or killed, all of this just for people’s entertainment. But as more folks started caring about how animals are treated, laws were made to stop these fights in many countries.
Opium Dens as Social Hubs
Back in the 19th and early 20th centuries, opium dens were hotspots where people gathered to smoke opium just for fun. It was legal in some places around the world. But as addiction spread like wildfire, it became a major public health concern. Governments took action to regulate and eventually outlaw opium and other drugs to tackle the growing crisis.
No Seatbelts: Risks in Cars
Back in the day, you could drive without buckling up—it was no big deal. But as cars got safer and drivers got smarter, strapping on your seatbelt became a game-changer. Those ads on TV made it clear: seatbelts mean the difference between walking away and getting hurt in a crash. Nowadays, it’s just second nature to click it for safety.
Indecency in Movies
In the early days, movies weren’t censored or regulated for content. Filmmakers could be really creative, making films with scenes and themes that might seem inappropriate or offensive today. As movies grew more popular—they started setting rules. That’s when film censorship boards and ratings came in. Their goal? To control what pictures could be shown and make sure they didn’t upset audiences too much.
Thalidomide in Medicine
In the 1950s and 1960s, doctors gave thalidomide to pregnant women for morning sickness. Sadly, many babies were born with serious problems, like missing or badly formed limbs. This showed how important it is to test drugs well and have strict rules to keep medicines safe. It led to very big changes in how drugs are tested and regulated to make sure tragedies like this don’t happen again.
Polygamy
In some cultures and times, people could have more than one spouse at once—that was polygamy. It was totally fine, and there were even rules set by religion or society. Later, laws changed to say you could only have one spouse at a time, which is called monogamy. It was all about making things more uniform and matching new rules and ways of thinking.
Cigarette Ads
Once upon a time, tobacco companies could advertise cigarettes however they wanted. They made ads saying smoking was very relaxing and sometimes even good for you. These ads got a lot of people smoking and caused health problems. But then, rules came in to shut down those ads and slap warning labels on packs. It was all about trying to kick the habit and keep folks clear health-wise.
Dwarf Tossing Controversy
Dwarf tossing was a controversial bar or club game in which people threw dwarfs for fun, aiming for distance or height. It was legal in some places, but many people found it wrong because it seemed to disrespect people’s dignity and could be seen as taking advantage of them. Because of these concerns, it was banned in many places.
Bloodletting in Historical Medicine
Bloodletting was all about doctors intentionally bleeding patients to balance their bodily fluids and cure illnesses. It was rooted in old-school medical theories and stuck around as a legal and widespread treatment. But as modern science caught up, it became clear that bloodletting wasn’t just ineffective—it could actually harm patients. That’s when doctors ditched it in favor of treatments that actually worked.
Radioactive Consumer Products in Everyday Use
Back in the early 1900s, things like radium were used in everyday things like toothpaste, makeup, and health drinks. They said it was good for your health, even though it could be dangerous because of the radiation. But then, rules and science showed how risky it was so they stopped using radioactive stuff in products and made safety rules stricter.