When did advertising start?

Modern advertising as we know it today, however, began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the emergence of mass media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. It has continued to evolve and expand with the growth of new technologies and media channels, such as the Internet, social media, and mobile devices. Today, advertising is a multi-billion dollar industry that plays a key role in shaping consumer behavior and driving economic growth.

Advertising became a big-money business around the 1920s and 1930s, as companies began to realize the power of mass media to reach large audiences. That's around the time when advertising agencies were established to create and execute advertising campaigns for businesses, and advertising began to incorporate psychological techniques to appeal to consumers on an emotional level.

The first modern advertiser is generally considered to be Volney B. Palmer, who opened an advertising agency in Philadelphia in 1843. Palmer's agency was the first to buy space in newspapers and sell it to advertisers, and he also pioneered the use of advertising contracts and commission-based compensation for advertising agents.

Overall, the development of advertising as a professional industry was a gradual process that involved many different individuals and companies over many decades. It has evolved from simple forms of promotion in ancient civilizations to the modern, highly sophisticated marketing techniques of today. This evolution has been driven by technological advancements, changes in consumer behavior, and the growth of mass media.