10 Strange Things You Never Knew About Christmas

9. Rudolph Really Was Born as an Advertising Gimmick

rudolph

That€™s right romantics, your kissing-post is actually a dungy murder weapon and kiddies, Rudolph first used his shiny nose to lead the way in consumerism. Before 1939, retail magnet Montgomery Ward had been buying books every Christmas and distributing them for free in order to attract more visitors into his shops. In 1939, however, he decided it€™d be a whole lot more cost effective if he had a book of his own made up instead of putting money into other people€™s pockets. Enter, Mr Robert L. May and his issue: Rudolph. So there it is, the bright-nosed quadruped was initially brought in to spike sales, and possibly kept on to do so around the world, nevertheless Rudolph still captures the hearts and minds of every generation and will, no doubt, continue to do so for generations to come. So you may as well just go with it!
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A. J. S. Scott was created as a homunculus by a mad English Alchemist who was trying to make rum from ink and seawater. He is still a fan of both and he has no comment on what happened to all the ‘No Exit’ signs in Islington Underground Station when he visited for Beltaine. You can send him missives by bribing the Right Raven with sour-strings, or: Instagram: @ajsscott Tumblr: andrew-scott-things.tumblr.com