Top 10 Marketing Moments of the 1800s That Shaped the Industry Today
Marketing didn’t begin with Facebook ads or SEO—it has a rich and fascinating past that shaped the tools and techniques we still use today. The 1800s marked a period of immense transformation, where industrialisation, printing technology, and global trade laid the groundwork for the modern marketing industry. At Dabrando, we’re all about forward-thinking strategies—but it’s important to know where the story began.
Here are the top 10 marketing moments of the 1800s that still influence brands, campaigns, and customer engagement today.
1. The Birth of Branding – Quaker Oats (1877)
In 1877, the Quaker Mill Company in Ohio trademarked the now-iconic Quaker man. This was one of the first instances of a brand using a personality to represent their values—purity, honesty, and quality. It wasn’t just packaging; it was identity. Quaker’s approach paved the way for today’s brand personas and storytelling in marketing.
Fun Fact: The Quaker man wasn’t based on a real person—it was a strategic branding decision.
2. Mass Advertising Begins – Patent Medicine Ads (1800s)
In the mid-1800s, newspapers and magazines were flooded with bold, sensationalist ads for patent medicines claiming to cure everything from baldness to heartbreak. While dubious in ethics, these ads popularised copywriting techniques, emotional selling, and mass-market targeting.
3. The First Billboard Boom – New York & Chicago (1860s)
As cities industrialised, outdoor advertising flourished. Billboards became a marketing staple on busy roads and building walls. By the end of the century, businesses realised that strategic physical placement could drive mass attention—something now echoed in digital display ads and OOH campaigns today.
4. Department Store Catalogues – Montgomery Ward (1872)
Montgomery Ward mailed the first general merchandise catalogue in 1872, turning postal services into a direct-to-consumer marketing channel. It set the foundation for today’s eCommerce, email marketing, and customer loyalty strategies. Sears soon followed, and catalogue marketing exploded across the U.S.
5. The Rise of Slogans – Pears Soap (Late 1800s)
British brand Pears Soap is often credited with creating the first advertising slogan: “Good morning. Have you used Pears’ Soap?” They also tapped into emotional advertising by associating cleanliness with beauty and virtue, a move that signalled the power of value-based marketing.
6. Celebrity Endorsements – Lillie Langtry for Pears Soap (1882)
Lillie Langtry, a famous actress and royal mistress, became one of the first celebrity brand ambassadors. Her endorsement of Pears Soap proved that aligning with influential figures could drive aspirational buying—a tactic now crucial in influencer marketing and brand partnerships.
7. Coca-Cola’s First Ad (1886)
Coca-Cola, created in 1886 by Dr. John Pemberton, was first promoted through hand-painted signage and posters. Their early marketing focused on “delicious and refreshing”—branding that helped establish one of the most recognised logos and taglines in the world.
8. The Advertising Agency Emerges – Volney B. Palmer (1841)
Volney B. Palmer opened what’s considered the first American ad agency in Philadelphia in 1841. While initially focused on ad space, this development helped shift marketing from in-house promotion to outsourced strategy—an idea central to modern creative agencies like Dabrando.
9. Packaging as a Marketing Tool – Uneeda Biscuit (1898)
When the National Biscuit Company (now Nabisco) launched Uneeda Biscuits, they were the first to use wax paper packaging for freshness—paired with a marketing campaign saying “Lest You Forget, We Say it Yet, Uneeda Biscuit.” Packaging wasn’t just protective; it was persuasive.
10. Targeting Women as Consumers – Ladies’ Home Journal (1883)
In 1883, Ladies’ Home Journal became one of the first magazines aimed specifically at women, filled with product ads, recipes, and fashion tips. It marked the beginning of demographic marketing, segmentation, and psychographic targeting that still guide campaign development today.
Final Thoughts: What the 1800s Can Teach Us in 2025
While the mediums have evolved, the principles remain. Emotional appeal, consistent branding, strategic placement, and customer targeting—all pioneered in the 1800s—are still essential components of a great marketing strategy. And although we only featured our top 10 marketing moments of the 1800s, we can assure you the century was fully of fantastic inventions of marketing genius!
At Dabrando, we combine this historical wisdom with cutting-edge digital tools, from AI-powered targeting to brand identity development. Our mission is to build bold, data-driven, and creative campaigns that make your business unforgettable.
📚 Further Reading & Resources
Smithsonian: Early Advertising in America
History of the Advertising Industry – Ad Age
📧 Ready to make your own historical marketing moment?
Contact us today at grow@dabrando.co.uk or explore our services to learn more, or Book A Free Discover Call to get started today!
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