1. Vice is in the eye of the beholder, as this 1888 cartoon reveals in mocking morals crusader Anthony Comstock. Library of Congress (Life 11, no. 293 [1888]: 18).
2. Race and vice. Had the couple in this 1896 National Geographic photo been white, the magazine could not have been sent through the U.S. Mail. Library of Congress (National Geographic, November 1, 1896).
3. This 1901 Puck cartoon shows that as women gained power, views of vice came under review. Note at far right, Carrie Nation wielding an axe against alcohol; far left, physician Mary Walker cross-dressing. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (LC-DIG-ppmsca-25513).
4. A picture worth a thousand words is illustrated by this 1904 article from the St. Paul Globe showing views of alcohol abuse changing as physicians gained greater influence. Library of Congress, Chronicling America (St. Paul Globe, April 10, 1904, 15).
5. Power and vice. This 1905 patent medicine ad begins, “Law should compel the poison symbol, skull and cross bones, on every package of cigarettes.” It ran in newspapers more than half a century before physicians gained more power than the tobacco industry, resulting in the surgeon general first opposing smoking in 1964. Library of Congress, Chronicling America (St. Louis Republic, November 12, 1905, pt. 5, p. 7).
6. Power’s influence on vice can be seen in this 1915 ad enlisting a Founding Father during the clamor to enact Prohibition. Library of Congress, Chronicling America (Goodwin’s Weekly, June 12, 1915, 14).
7. (Opposite top) When this news photo appeared in 1922, men wore very similar bathing suits . . . but the cops did not handle that like this. Getty Images.
8. Sally Rand was famous—and frequently arrested—for her fan dance in the 1930s. Today her act would seem tame. Getty Images.
9. Book burning in America in 1935. New York Society for the Suppression of Vice leader John Sumner (right) joins New York City Police officials observing the burning of books deemed obscene. Getty Images.
10. Two views of vice in one. This 1936 film sought to purvey (and profit from) the view that marijuana is dangerous. If this poster seems over the top, it’s because it was created in 1972 for a rerelease of the film when many viewed the earlier view as ridiculous. Getty Images.
11. As in the 1915 beer ad, this 1946 ad sought to influence views of vice by enlisting a member of a powerful group. From the collection of Stanford University (tobacco.stanford.edu).
12. This pre–zip code era ad (ca. 1950s to early 1960s) shows that not all changes in views of vice are more permissive. Co-Le Sales Company.
13. As in the 1946 cigarette ad, this 2013 ad to combat cigarettes used the same powerful group—physicians—to influence views of vice. In this instance, however, their power was enhanced by facts. Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2013 Tips from Former SmokersTM campaign.
14. Since this nation’s early days when heresy was still a crime, religious leaders have had to make room for many others who have joined America’s powers-that-be. Nevertheless, they remain a powerful force and thus greatly influence views of vice. Jim Morin / Miami Herald / Morintoons Syndicate.