The development of advertising

I have just read an article, which tasks about the history of advertising.

Advertising began in the Industrial Revolution, which was in the 19th century and it was mainly used to promote novelties and fringe products. Later national advertising campaigns and brand-naming became necessary.

The economic depression between 1873 and 1894 brought on a crisis of over-production and under-consumption, so a lot of goods were unsold and the prices and profits fell. Small industrial firms combined with other small businesses and widened the range of goods, so they were in a better postition.

From about the 1850s there were a lot of anonymous bars of soap on the market, so the leading companies decided to use more aggressive selling methods. For example Lord Leverhulme, who had the idea to 'brand' his soap by selling it in distinctive packages.

Many companies followed Lord Leverhulme and started advertising their products. Shortly after bigger and more campaigns were mounted and smaller firm, who didn't or couldn't, were squeezed or bought out by the larger companies.