Brief History of Advertisement

The concept of advertising dates to early civilization. It had to undertake a long journey through the centuries, before it attained its present form. Actually advertising is directly related to the need of man to communicate his message and attract to each other. Our knowledge of advertising in ancient times naturally is fragmentary.

Early advertising can be traced back to the archaeological evidences available in Greece and Rome. In 3000 B. C. Babylonia merchants hired parkers to hawk their wares to perspective, customers and placed signs over their doorways to indicate what they sold.

The use of hand bills, posters and newspaper advertisements emerged after Gutenberg developed movable type in the 15th century. When Benjamin Franklin established the Philadelphia Gazette in 1729, it soon became a favorite medium of advertising. But all early advertisements were basically only announcement.

The Industrial revolution, discovery of the growth of transportation facilities, advent of radio and television and revolution in printing technology discovery of the steam power in England and America had a keen role to play in the development of advertising. With the beginning of 21st century, the advertisers themselves became more serious and their approach becomes more sophisticated. Print, Radio, T. V. and Internet Commercials have created deep impact on Indian advertising. Indian advertisement has no doubt to register a rapid growth and has acquired a certain amount of professional character.