PIRMĀ SEMESTRA NOSLĒGUMA TESTI
Did you know that the first known advertisement wasn’t on a billboard or online? You are about to find out more about this. Read the text “The First Advertisement in History.” Then decide if each statement is true, false, or not mentioned according to the information in the text.
The First Advertisement in History
When we think of advertising today, we imagine colourful billboards, catchy TV commercials, or pop-ups on social media. However, advertising has existed for thousands of years, long before television, radio, or even paper.
The very first known advertisement was discovered in the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes. It was written on a small piece of papyrus around 3000 years ago. The text was created by a man named Hapu, who was a cloth maker. In the message, Hapu announced that one of his slaves had run away. However, he also used the chance to promote his business. The papyrus read that anyone who found the missing slave should return him to Hapu, “the best cloth maker in Thebes.” In this way, Hapu not only asked for help but also advertised his high-quality fabrics.
Historians believe this was one of the first examples of a written advertisement. It was short, clear, and had a double purpose – to inform and to sell. Although Hapu’s main goal was to find his slave, his words also worked as marketing for his workshop.
Later civilisations improved the concept of advertising. In ancient Greece and Rome, traders hired people called “criers” to walk around busy streets and shout out offers. They advertised everything from olive oil to circus shows. Walls were also covered with messages about public events, property for sale, or new shops.
The invention of the printing press in the 15th century changed everything. For the first time, people could print and distribute information widely. By the 17th century, the first printed advertisements appeared in newspapers. These early ads mostly promoted books, medicines, and coffee houses.
Today, advertising surrounds us everywhere – on screens, in our phones, and even on the streets. Yet the goal remains the same as it was in ancient Thebes: to make people notice, remember, and buy.
When we think of advertising today, we imagine colourful billboards, catchy TV commercials, or pop-ups on social media. However, advertising has existed for thousands of years, long before television, radio, or even paper.
The very first known advertisement was discovered in the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes. It was written on a small piece of papyrus around 3000 years ago. The text was created by a man named Hapu, who was a cloth maker. In the message, Hapu announced that one of his slaves had run away. However, he also used the chance to promote his business. The papyrus read that anyone who found the missing slave should return him to Hapu, “the best cloth maker in Thebes.” In this way, Hapu not only asked for help but also advertised his high-quality fabrics.
Historians believe this was one of the first examples of a written advertisement. It was short, clear, and had a double purpose – to inform and to sell. Although Hapu’s main goal was to find his slave, his words also worked as marketing for his workshop.
Later civilisations improved the concept of advertising. In ancient Greece and Rome, traders hired people called “criers” to walk around busy streets and shout out offers. They advertised everything from olive oil to circus shows. Walls were also covered with messages about public events, property for sale, or new shops.
The invention of the printing press in the 15th century changed everything. For the first time, people could print and distribute information widely. By the 17th century, the first printed advertisements appeared in newspapers. These early ads mostly promoted books, medicines, and coffee houses.
Today, advertising surrounds us everywhere – on screens, in our phones, and even on the streets. Yet the goal remains the same as it was in ancient Thebes: to make people notice, remember, and buy.
1. Advertising appeared only in modern times when people started using printed and digital media.
This statement is .
2. Hapu cleverly turned a personal loss into an opportunity to advertise the excellence of his work.
This statement is .
3. Despite new technology, modern advertising still aims to influence people’s attention and choices.
This statement is .
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