Coca-Cola Invented Santa Claus

As silly as this may seem, many people believe that the Coke-drinking elf was indeed invented in his current form by Coca-Cola in 1931 by the artist Haddon H. Sundblom, who began working for Coke in 1924. The legend of Santa Claus has origins in many cultures, including the Dutch and German St. Nicholas, or as the Dutch say, Sinterklaas.

His name went through several changes and many legends -- one has him riding on a tree pulled by one reindeer -- eventually ending up with the eight from "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore, who named each of the reindeer.

Each name is as it was then, except for Donner, who was originally Donder. The name change took strides in 1939 when adman Robert L. May created Rudolph. The song came in 1949. Anyway, Santa's image changed as well as his name, size, beard, and helpers.

Eventually, the now-common figure for Santa Claus was established. Today, Santa is a normal-sized, somewhat overweight Super Hero. I'm hoping Santa will bring me lots of toys!!!!

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