John Wanamaker

Date of Birth: July 11, 1838

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: December 12, 1922

Biography

John Wanamaker was an American merchant and religious, civic, and political figure, widely considered the father of modern advertising and a pioneer in the department store business. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and began his career in retail at the age of 23 when he opened his first store, “Oak Hall,” with his brother-in-law Nathan Brown. This store was an early model of the department store concept, offering a wide variety of goods under one roof. Wanamaker is most famous for founding the famous Wanamaker’s department store in Philadelphia, which became one of the first and most successful department stores in the United States. His innovative business practices included the introduction of price tags, the concept of a money-back guarantee, and extensive advertising campaigns. He also implemented employee benefits, such as paid vacations and pensions, which were rare at the time. In addition to his business achievements, Wanamaker was a prominent civic leader and philanthropist. He served as the United States Postmaster General from 1889 to 1893 under President Benjamin Harrison, where he modernized the postal service and introduced rural free delivery.

5 Interesting Facts about John Wanamaker

1. John Wanamaker was known for his innovative advertising techniques, including the use of full-page newspaper ads.

2. He was a devout Christian and founded the Bethany Sunday School, which became the largest Sunday school in the world during his time.

3. Wanamaker’s department store was the first in the U.S. to have electric lights and a telephone.

4. He was instrumental in the construction of Philadelphia’s City Hall, one of the largest municipal buildings in the world.

5. Wanamaker was a major supporter of the Liberty Bell’s tour around the U.S. in 1915, which helped to promote patriotism and unity during World War I.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Wanamaker

1. “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don’t know which half.”

2. “When a man makes a mistake, the man says, ‘I was wrong’; when a company makes a mistake, the company says, ‘Mistakes were made.’”

3. “Courtesy is the one coin you can never have too much of or be stingy with.”

4. “The best advertising is done by satisfied customers.”

5. “To advertise is to educate.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, John Wanamaker’s net worth was estimated to be around $100 million, which would be equivalent to several billion dollars today when adjusted for inflation.

Children

John Wanamaker had six children with his wife, Mary Erringer Brown Wanamaker. Their children were: 1. Thomas Brown Wanamaker 2. Mary Brown Wanamaker 3. Lewis Rodman Wanamaker 4. Harriett Erringer Wanamaker 5. Elizabeth Wanamaker McLeod 6. William Wanamaker