PRE-MODERN HISTORY
The history of advertising can be traced back long before newspaper and the radio. In fact, advertising began as a form of public notices, etched into steel by the Ancient Egyptians. Before the pre-printing period (sometime before the 15th century), three forms of advertising existed: trademarks, town criers and signboards. Trademarks were signs that were used to identify goods and distinguish them from those made by others in the area. Town criers were employed to make public announcements in the streets or marketplace in a town. Signboards displayed the names and logos of businesses and products. Though these forms became the most popular at the time, advertising varied by area.
In Egypt, papyrus was used as the standard media to make
Town Crier
sales messages and wall posters. Similarly, lost and found advertisements written on papyrus were common in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Wall or rock paintings became another expression of ancient advertising, still used in commercial regions like Asia, Africa, and South America today. This form originated in 4000 BC, dating back to Indian rock art paintings. As the towns and cities began to grow, businesses used images on their signs associated with their trade. A majority of the general population was illiterate and could more easily distinguish between “tailors” or “blacksmiths” with a suit or a hammer image drawn onto signs. Town criers announced their whereabouts for the convenience of the townspeople.
The printing press emerged in the 1440s, allowing for mass production. Before its invention, advertising was mostly word-of-mouth. With movable-type printing, the printing press was a global game changer that aided in the spread of knowledge and brought in unmatched cultural change until the Internet. Companies could now duplicate advertisements to communicate with consumers through newspapers, magazines, flyers and posters.
Wall Posters
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