Advertising has long done more than sell products—it has captured cultural shifts, reflected changing values, and, at times, helped shape the world around us. For 175 years, The New York Times has had a front-row seat to that evolution.

Across generations, brands have looked to the institution as a benchmark for reaching audiences and responding to the cultural moment. The result is an advertising archive unlike almost any other: a visual record of how brands, ideas, and society have evolved alongside one another. Looking back through 175 years of that history is a reminder that advertising doesn’t just document culture—it becomes part of it.

Tiffany & Co (1851)

The print spread published September 18, 2026, in the national edition of The New York Times, moves chronologically, with each selected ad highlighting a distinct moment in time. Featured advertisers include:

• Tiffany & Co (1851): Three months after The New York Times published its first issue in 1851, Tiffany & Co. saw an opportunity to connect with Times readers during the holiday season. The company advertised its jewelry, watches, clocks and more as ideal holiday gifts for discerning shoppers.

• Ford Motor Company (1909): In 1909, as the auto industry shifted from luxury to mass production, Ford Motor Company touted the superiority of its Model T car through an advertisement highlighting the vehicle’s victory in a cross-country race from New York to Seattle.

• IBM (1966): In 1966, IBM used the pages of The New York Times to highlight its role in the NASA space program and its efforts to help put a man on the moon.

The print spread concludes with a message from Joy Robins, global chief advertising officer at The New York Times, about advertising’s role in supporting independent journalism.

Beyond print, “175 Years of Advertising” is being amplified by an entire digital ecosystem, consisting of custom digital ad units, audio spots from Joy Robins, and a dedicated digital page featuring advertising milestones from across The Times’s history. Media will run through September 30, 2026.