A Short HIstory of Advertising

Advertising and the art that accompanies advertising has significantly developed since its birth. While adage.com has produced a lovely timeline regarding the history of advertising (http://adage.com/century/timeline/index.html ), the business actually began with the simplicity of a sign. (F)
Simple advertising became more and more prevalent within newspapers as the newspaper business began to grow. By the early 20th century, information advertising (especially within newspapers and magazines) became popular. Often an image would accompany many words spanning over a large space explaining why this product met “your” need. This is an old cigarette advertisement. Please note the image and the paragraphs of words, almost resembling an essay, that fills the space. (You can click on any image at any time to enlarge your view.) The business again shifted by the middle of the 20th century as information was left behind for a promise. No longer did consumers want to read about the facts of a product (I would argue because of the growing interest in the television), but they now wanted to experience the promise of a better life that the product brought to their lives. This beer commercial is a perfect example of this promise of a “high life” that a Miller will bestow upon anyone whom drinks upon it. In fact, this beer isn’t even worth drinking out of a mug, for it is the champagne of beers and should be consumed in more of a fanciful glass!

Now moving into the late 20th century, this commercial for Amoco gasoline promises that their gasoline will get you the extra mile with their new 93 high octane fuel. The fuel has no mile robbing ingredients. The promise is then connected with a service aspect as the whole company will even go the extra mile for you.
From signs, to small newspaper advertisements, to the passing of large amounts of information, to a promise, advertising has significantly shifted in the 20th century. I would argue that the promise still remains, but the promise now looks different in the 21st century.