Recently, it came to light that American poet Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was an early advocate of the Paleo diet. Did you know he also became a marketing gimmick, even when he was still alive?
Capitalizing on Whitman's stature as a wise, democratic bard, 1890s cigar makers started to appropriate his name and image to sell their products. Thanks to companies shilling their products - from canned peaches to fighter planes to erotic LPs - Walt Whitman has been portrayed as an icon of American freedom, a war-hawk patriot, a refined gentleman poet, an anti-capitalist hero, and a daring gay sensualist.
(thanks Lisa)
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