James Vicary

Born:

April 5, 1915, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Died:

December 29, 1979, USA

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Market Researcher, Subliminal Advertising Advocate

Early Life and Education

• Details regarding Vicary's specific early life and educational background are limited and often overshadowed by his later claims.

Career and Major Achievements

• Vicary is primarily known for his involvement with the concept of subliminal advertising.
• In 1957, he claimed to have increased Coca-Cola and popcorn sales in a New Jersey movie theater by flashing the words "Drink Coca-Cola" and "Hungry? Eat Popcorn" on the screen for fractions of a second. This is central to the discussion surrounding a 'chemical secret tim vicary biography'.
• He founded the Subliminal Projection Company.

Notable Works

• His most notable, and ultimately controversial, "work" was the purported field test of subliminal advertising in a New Jersey movie theater.

Legacy and Impact

James Vicary's legacy is one of controversy. While his claims about subliminal advertising sparked widespread public interest and fear, they were ultimately discredited. Despite this, his work significantly impacted the advertising industry and led to increased scrutiny and regulation of subliminal messaging. He is remembered more for the controversy surrounding his claims than for any legitimate contribution to the field of market research.

Retraction

• Vicary later admitted in a 1962 interview that his 1957 subliminal advertising study was a fabrication.

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