History of Advertising

  • Crier in Babylone
    2000 BCE

    Crier in Babylone

    The first known forms of advertising, store signs and street barkers, are recorded in Babylon. No images and word of mouth was used.
  • The Phoenicians
    1500 BCE

    The Phoenicians

    Fire was used for sign by the Phoenicians when they crossed the oceans selling and buying products. When their boats came ashore, they lit a fire in a high mountain to say they have arrived. Fire was considered as advertising claim.
  • Papyrus in Ancient Egypt
    1200 BCE

    Papyrus in Ancient Egypt

    The first advertising text "Shem" was founded in Ancient Egypt. Egyptians was using papyrus to create sales messages and wall posters.
  • Kerux, Axon, and Kyrbo in Classical Greece
    500 BCE

    Kerux, Axon, and Kyrbo in Classical Greece

    These are terms refer to heralds, messengers, preacher from Ancient Greece. Lost-and-found advertising on papyrus was common in Ancient Greek.
  • Praeco, Album, Graffiti, Signa in Rome
    100

    Praeco, Album, Graffiti, Signa in Rome

    Those were advertising techniques (oral, written, graphic advertising) used by ancient Romans. Advertising, signboard, were used for announcement for events such as circuses and gladiatorial fights. Also, multiple messages were written on the city wall as a form go graffiti in Ancient Rome.
  • Woodblock Painting in China
    220

    Woodblock Painting in China

    The earliest printed advertising was done in Chine by using woodblocks. Woodblocks made possible to print on paper.
  • Period: 476 to 1300

    Medieval Advertising (The Early to High Middle Ages)

    Advertising was used by newsmen, peddlers, charlatans and public crier to promote their products in public place during medieval period. This allows to reach public directly. Word of mouth, songs, decorative banners are used as an advertising.
  • The Diamond Sutra
    868

    The Diamond Sutra

    The Diamond Sutra in Chinese language is the first printed book in the world. It was created using woodblock printing.
  • Wooden/Metal Signs (Late Middle Age)
    1300

    Wooden/Metal Signs (Late Middle Age)

    During late Middle Ages, metal signs became famous for commercial purposes. Wooden or metal signs were used by craftsman for advertising of their products. Sign shows store or products (their expert field) of guild.
  • Woodcut (xylography)
    1400

    Woodcut (xylography)

    Woodcut, also can be called xylography, is the oldest type of printmaking. Painters carves an image into the surface of wooden block. It was used to print images on textile or paper.
  • Invention of Printing Press
    1447

    Invention of Printing Press

    Johannes Gutenberg made the first known mechanized printing press in Europe. (Chine already knew before) This was history changing invention: it made posible to communicate and disseminate ideas quickly at large audiences.
  • First Weekly Newspaper

    First Weekly Newspaper

    Renaudot, who is considered as first French journalist, established the first weekly newspaper in Fance,
    "La Gazette".
  • The First Continuously Published Newspaper in the US

    The First Continuously Published Newspaper in the US

    It is the first continuously published newspaper in the United States was the Boston News-Letter, which has been in existence since 1704.
    The first newspaper advertisement (notice of real estate sale) was placed. It was the first output other than word of mouth on the media, and was very successful.
  • The First Magazine Ad

    The First Magazine Ad

    Benjamin Franklin printed the first American magazine ad on General Magazine. This
  • Period: to

    First Industrial Revolution

    The first industrial revolution changed production methods from hand methods to machines. The technological revolution allowed goods to be produced in large quantities at low prices. Consumers increased in search of cheap goods, and many companies began to manufacture goods, which led to competition among companies. This made it necessary for companies to market their products.
  • The First Advertising Agency

    The First Advertising Agency

    William Taylor launched the first advertising agency in London.
  • Period: to

    French Revolution

    It contributes to achieve journalistic freedom, especially freedom of speech and press or media.
  • Invention of Lithography

    Invention of Lithography

    It was a new printmaking techniques and became commercially popular. It allowed a much wider range of marks and tones to be printed than had previously been possible.
  • The First Billboards Appear

    The First Billboards Appear

    The first proper billboard were invented in the 1830s: the first large scale mass printing was circus poster in New York, which was printed by Jared Bell. People realize large and colorful billboards are effective to advertise.
  • The First Ad Agency in the US

    The First Ad Agency in the US

    The first ad agency in the US launched by Robert Palmer. He created a large amount of space for newspaper ads and helped shape the newspaper advertising market.
  • N.W. Ayer & Son

    N.W. Ayer & Son

    The American advertising agency, N.W. Ayer & Son, was founded. The agency known for making first art department in ad industry and using full-time copywriters.
  • Period: to

    Second Industrial Revolution

    It was a time of rapid industrial development with rapid advances in the creation of steel, chemicals and electricity. Consumer goods were mass produced, so marketing became even more important for competition.
  • Period: to

    THE CONSOLIDATION OF ADVERTISING

    A time when advertising changed from a local, small-scale activity to a larger industry in a broader region.
  • The First Coca-Cola Advertisements

    The First Coca-Cola Advertisements

    The first ad for Coca-Cola appeared a few weeks after Coca-Cola was created. This ad carried the slogan "Tasty and Refreshing." Advertising slogans were everyday life for consumers and became important in advertising. Since then, Coca-Cola has continued to create great slogans.
  • Period: to

    Art Nouveau

    The style of art is characterized by asymmetry, natural feel, and curved lines. It influenced many fields such as architecture, illustration, as well as advertising.
  • Advertising from Kodak

    Advertising from Kodak

    In 1891, Kodak placed an ad for a camera in Harper's Magazine. The ad included the phrase "we press the button, we do the rest. As this shows, Kodak and other companies began to sell brands as well as products. Through advertising, the formation of brand identity began.
  • Publicity Events - Ford

    Publicity Events - Ford

    New companies of this era, including Ford, which became one of the most important automobile brands in the world, tagged flashy and sponsored publicity events and pioneered the art of looking cool.
  • Period: to

    World War I

    A propaganda campaign was developed during WWI, using the media.Posters were used in large numbers as a form of propaganda medium, and they greatly influenced the mass psychology or public opinion of both the opposing country and their own.
  • Period: to

    EXPANSION OF ADVERTISING

    This was a period of growth for the advertising industry. With the use of radio and other new media, advertising changed with social order.
  • Period: to

    Art Deco

    It is an art style characterized by bold geometric patterns and the use of rich colors. It influenced the visuals of advertising.
  • Birth of Radio Advertising

    Birth of Radio Advertising

    Radio advertising began in 1922: the first paid radio broadcast was at WEAF in New York City. The creation of a new auditory medium has greatly affected the advertising industry and has enabled it to reach the home. In the 1920s, commercial radio stations became the major advertising medium. Companies realized that radio was popular with women who did housework during the day, and in 1930 the daytime radio program "Soap operas" was born.
  • Development of Scientific Advertising

    Development of Scientific Advertising

    In 1923, Claude C. Hopkins published the book, "Scientific Advertising." The importance of knowing the consumer, based on data and facts, for creating more effective and reliable advertising was emphasized. Also, Scientific Advertising aims to deliver advertising to a specific target audience.
  • The First Television Commercial

    The First Television Commercial

    The first television commercial was aired on July 1st, 1941 and it costs 9$. Television, with its simultaneous use of sound and visuals, was a revolutionary technology for the advertising industry, enabling it to advertise products to viewers even more effectively.
  • Foundation of Ogilvy & Mather

    Foundation of Ogilvy & Mather

    Ogilvy & Mather was founded by David Ogilvy. This company later became one of the largest advertising agency in the world.
  • Period: to

    CREATIVE REVOLUTION OF ADVERTISING

    It was during this period that the concept and originality of advertisements became more important.
  • Development of Politic Advertising

    Development of Politic Advertising

    During the 1952 presidential election, Rosser Reeves used television spot ads. It changed the political advertising landscape: advertising was now also used as a political strategy.
  • "Think Small" Campaign

    "Think Small" Campaign

    One of the most influential advertising campaigns, Volkswagen's "Think Small" campaign, was created by Doyle Dane Baumbach, Inc. It demonstrated the importance of creativity in advertising and influenced future advertising.
  • Focus Groups and Research

    Focus Groups and Research

    In the 1960s, psychologists became involved in advertising. Focus groups transformed advertising into a calculated science.
  • Period: to

    GOLDEN AGE OF ADVERTISING

    Various legends such as David Ogilvy, revolutionized the advertising industry.
  • The First Spam Email

    The First Spam Email

    The first spam email is sent by Gary Thuerk, advertising DEC computers.The advent of email and internet-based communication introduced new possibilities for advertising.
  • "Just Do It" Campaign from Nike

    "Just Do It" Campaign from Nike

    Nike's "Just Do It" campaign remains one of the most famous ads of all time. From motivational slogans, it embodied branding that Nike is an innovative icon linked to success. It demonstrated the importance of consumer-facing messages in branding.
  • The First Banner Ads on Web

    The First Banner Ads on Web

    Banner ads, which can still be seen today, appeared on the web, allowing advertisers to appeal audibly to specific targets.
  • Advertising on Facebook

    Advertising on Facebook

    Facebook has begun placing ads, and it allows for targeted advertising.
    Following this, ads were introduced on other social media such as twitter, nstagram, and Tiktok since 2006.
  • Invention of iPhone

    Invention of iPhone

    Apple launches the iPhone, revolutionizing mobile and app-based advertising. Mobile and app-based advertising became essential as advertisers sought to reach consumers on their mobile devices, leveraging location-based targeting and personalized experiences.
  • AI-Based Advertising

    AI-Based Advertising

    M&C Saatchi is known to have developed the world's first AI-based advertising.
    The use of AI has made it possible to gain insights into audiences and deliver relevant ads to individual consumers.
  • Digital Advertising

    Digital Advertising

    Currently, digital age, has transformed advertising to online platforms. As a results, digital advertising currently dominates the industry. Especially, social media, search engine advertising, video advertising, and influencer marketing are playing key roles.