Coca-Cola popularizes Santa Claus image but does not invent it

Coca-Cola did not invent the modern image of Santa Claus, but it played a significant role in popularizing it. The current depiction of Santa, with his red suit and white fur, has roots in 19th-century works by poet Clement Clark Moore and cartoonist Thomas Nast. Moore's 1822 poem described Santa as a jolly figure, while Nast's illustrations in the 1860s helped shape his appearance. Coca-Cola began using Santa in its ads in the 1920s and commissioned artist Haddon Sundblom in 1931, who drew inspiration from Moore's poem. Before Coca-Cola, other companies, like White Rock Beverages, had already featured Santa in their advertising. The red and white color scheme became popular through Nast's earlier work, which influenced Coca-Cola's portrayal of Santa.