Edward Bernays, Public Relations Man

Universally recognized as the father of public relations, Edward Bernays (1891-1995) was a fascinating and controversial figure. Like his uncle Sigmund Freud and Darwin, he was a revolutionary thinker whose ideas helped smash the old order, creating a new reality for the 20th Century.

He opened shop in 1919 in New York, and the world hasn't been the same since.

Every time you see something new that you think you might like to have, be it in an advertisement on television, in a magazine, on the Web, or in your wildest dreams, you owe your consumer impulses to Bernays.

He gave the U.S. women who smoke, Dodge cars, and a convenient Guatemalan dictatorship, among many other unnecessary flavors.

Hell, he's even responsible for Sarah Stalin, er Palin, Charles!

His ideas informed Chomsky and Goebbels. In differing ways, of course.

He warned, without success, that his secrets should not be used for evil purposes.

Here is the 2002 film documentary about his work and influence.

Enjoy!

TS