P.T. Barnum: The First Advertising Creative Revolutionary
P.T. Barnum, celebrated for "the greatest show on earth," ignited the initial creative advertising revolution prior to the late 1950s. He held two terms in the Connecticut state legislature and served as Bridgeport's mayor, where he campaigned against prostitution and discrimination faced by Black citizens. In 1855, he released his autobiography, "The Life of P.T. Barnum, Written by Himself," which candidly disclosed his deceptions and sold 1,000,000 copies, later entering the public domain in 1884. The phrase "there's a sucker born every minute" is frequently linked to him, though without evidence. Barnum employed chromo-lithograph posters for promotion, founded a newspaper to highlight corruption, and faced imprisonment for libel. At the age of 80, he drew attention following a minor injury at Madison Square Garden.
Key facts
- P.T. Barnum founded 'the greatest show on earth' and triggered the first advertising creative revolution.
- He served two terms in the Connecticut state legislature and as mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
- In 1855, he published his autobiography, 'The Life of P.T. Barnum, Written by Himself'.
- By 1884, he placed his autobiography in the public domain, allowing anyone to print it.
- The quote 'there's a sucker born every minute' is attributed to him but unproven.
- He started his own newspaper after being refused publication, and was sued and imprisoned for defamation.
- At age 80, he staged a minor accident at Madison Square Garden for publicity.
- Images in the article are from the 1949 Bridgeport Barnum Festival, which began in 1948.
Entities
Artists
- P.T. Barnum
- Steven Heller
Institutions
- PRINT Magazine
- Connecticut state legislature
- Bridgeport Barnum Festival
Locations
- Bridgeport
- Connecticut
- United States
- Madison Square Garden
- New York City
- Danbury