History of Advertising

History of Advertising

The earliest form of advertising was simply people receiving

information about goods and services by word of mouth from traders.

Word of mouth advertising was used throughout the centuries and still

is today, but something was introduced in the 15th century that would

revolutionise the way of life. In the 15th century the printing press

was introduced. In Europe printing was introduced in the 15th century,

that movable type was reinvented by Johannes Gutenberg in Germany.

From there printing spread to Italy, France, and England, where it was

introduced by William Caxton. In England the first printing press was

located at Westminister.

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Between 1600 and 1800 goods and services advertised in print form.

Also shops hung signs outside their shops, these signs were pictures

of what they were selling, eg a shoe shop, a picture of a shoe. As

more and more people could read the process of persuasion changed, so

traders paid people to hand out handbills around the town.

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By mid 18th century several daily newspapers were being published, and

competition for the advertiser's money had started. Merchants and

traders needed regular information about their business. Early

newspapers contained some foreign news, shipping timetables, list of

imports and exports, announcements from booksellers, wigmakers and

merchants. Announcements became important to the newspaper. The

earliest adverts were privately placed announcements, mostly for

medicines and miraculous cures.

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... their social class, or geographical area. Increasingly sophisticated

research methods mean that advertisers can now tell manufacturers what

kinds of goods they could be selling, and their market opportunities.

Advertising now creates new uses, needs and wants, so new products can

be manufactured. Advertising has become much more of a science.

Advertisers now know how far more accurately where and how to

advertise, and also which type of media to use. There are more

varieties of advertising, such as newspapers, magazines, billboards,

radios and of course TV. Since TV was invented it has become the most

popular and powerful means of advertising. Colour TV, satellite, cable

channels and video have each changed the shape and form of marketing

techinques, and have made advertising part of our domestic and social

lives.