Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1901 — Advertising as Educator. [ARTICLE]

Advertising as Educator.

Advertising is a mode of education by which the knowledge of consumable goods is increased. It sets forth the peculiar excellence of novelties, keeps in mind the merits of staple articles, and thus increases the general demand for commodities. This method of making the public acquainted with goods has been resorted to because the modern system of distribution requires that goods be sold in large quantities. Production increases.competition becomes more fierce, and puchasers must be found. Business men recognize that advertising can increase sales by increasing the, people’s familiarity with goods. This better knowledge not only helps to educate the individual, but trains him in other ways. His powers of discrimination are exercised and developed by the necessity of making a choice between the articles. Even the abuses of advertising aid him for he learns by his mistakes. Advertisement sometimes creates a demand, sometimes directs it What greater stimulus can there be for an inventor than the fact that a method is in vogue by which a useful article tan be immediately placed before the public, with the probability of large and immediate returns? Advertsing fixes new staples. Tea was one of the earliest articles advertised in England. Recently the “blending” of teas has become customary, and the value of the different blends made known.— Journal of Political Economy. Beauty and folly are old companions.