News tells one story, but if you really want to get under the sociological skin of a nation, try looking at the adverts alongside.

Two Indigenous folk bow down in respect and honour as "indomitable Captain Cook and his sturdy crew" step ashore.

It may not be exactly how the history books have it, but Berger's Paints and Varnishes (1931) saw things their way.

A random look at adverts among the 185 years of The Sydney Morning Herald archives reveals more.

Consumables to make a lady feel attractive and healthy are always in vogue while other essentials fall by the wayside.

Not much call nowadays for Indian root pills to beat bubonic plague (1900) or the cattle farmer's Denyer's triple crush emasculator (1926), happily for bulls.

Nice if you purchased a Mount Druitt home and land package for $29,950 (1976) unless you hadn't paid the mortgage off by 1987 when interest rates were up about 17 per cent.

You could even enjoy a cigarette without having to put up with plain packaging or those graphic organ pictures on the carton.

Comforting to know that "the doctor smokes and recommends" Capstan oval-heavyweight cigarettes.

Surely the Australian Medical Association would have a view on that.