Some traditions feel so old and familiar that they seem timeless. In reality, many of them were heavily shaped—or outright created—by advertisers, retailers, and public relations campaigns that worked far better than anyone expected.
1. Diamond Engagement Rings
Diamond rings existed long before the twentieth century, but the idea that an engagement ring had to contain a diamond was largely created by De Beers advertising campaigns beginning in the late 1930s. The famous slogan “A Diamond Is Forever” helped turn a luxury purchase into a social expectation. Before the campaign, only a small percentage of American engagement rings contained diamonds.
2. Bacon and Eggs for Breakfast
The classic American breakfast wasn’t inevitable. Public relations pioneer Edward Bernays helped promote bacon and eggs as part of a “hearty breakfast” campaign for Beech-Nut Packing Company during the 1920s. Doctors were recruited to support the message, and the habit stuck.
3. Black Friday Shopping
The day after Thanksgiving became one of America’s biggest shopping events because retailers aggressively promoted it for decades. Doorbusters, limited-time deals, and early openings eventually transformed bargain hunting into an annual ritual.
4. Orange Juice at Breakfast
Florida citrus growers spent years marketing orange juice as an essential part of a healthy breakfast. Eventually, a glass of orange juice beside eggs and toast started to feel completely normal to American families.
5. Mother’s Day Shopping
Mother’s Day began with sincere intentions, but retailers and greeting card companies quickly transformed it into one of America’s largest gift-giving holidays. Ironically, founder Anna Jarvis spent years criticizing its commercialization.
6. Valentine’s Day Gifts
Valentine’s Day has older roots, but the American expectation of buying cards, chocolates, flowers, and jewelry was heavily reinforced by advertisers and retailers throughout the twentieth century.
