Buster Brown at the 1904 World’s Fair: From the Funny Papers to Transforming Consumer Culture

At the St. Louis World’s Fair, cartoon celebrity Buster Brown became the spokesman for over 100 companies, including the Brown Shoe Company. Buster Brown’s transition from the funny pages to advertising trademarks gives insights into fundamental shifts in American consumer culture during its developmental years. Mostly remembered today as a children’s shoe logo, this presentation explores Buster Brown’s journey as a landmark comic strip character through his role in birthing today’s dominating consumer culture.