Public relations as a concept, it turns out, is as about as old as civilization. From ancient leaders to modern press agents, public relations has been as pervasive in human interaction as any other form of communication. However, until recently, I had no idea that public relations was such a deep-running form of communication.
Ancient Public Relations
Before recently, I had never thought of public relations as any sort of ancient concept. So of course, it came as a surprise to know PR was utilized as far back as Julius Caesar, and further. Julius Caesar utilized public relations in all of it’s forms, throwing parades for himself, writing books, and even distributing ancient forms of newspapers. According to the Revel textbook, PR was even used by the apostles Paul and Peter to spread the Christian faith. Public relations being used in such contexts throughout early history was surprising to learn, and news to me.
P.T. Barnum: Public Relations Expert
Though it makes total sense when you sit and think about it, I had never considered PT Barnum as an expert in public relations. Terms like pseudo-event- “an event existing primarily for the purpose of being reported”, sprang from PT Barnum’s style of public relations. PT Barnum encouraged debate over his spectacles, as the arguments only seemed to have brought in more customers and sales. A man that most (at least until recently) was associated with the circus, I now consider a propaganda genius. From quoting others to garner attraction, to rousing endorsements from prominent figures, PT Barnum set the stage for modern public relations.
Westward Expansion: A Public Relations Project
The most surprising element of the history of public relations is the use of it to facilitate Westward railroad expansion in the United States. From gleaming articles promoting Western dreamscapes, to more realistic descriptions of the land, PR was used to promote the settling of the Western United States. In the Revel text, one scholar refers to railroad expansion as being “dependent” on public relations tactics.
Public relations has surprising yet deep roots, and is responsible for many events throughout history. After all, PR has helped to shape everything from 20th century railroads to the Bible.
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