Looking at this patent from 1914, you got to admit it: The Americans had ad placement in their hearts since day 1.

It's genius: A scarecrow is an attention attraction device. Why waste all this potential only on crows? Since humans will also look, display an ad!

Samuel Hunter, I salute you! I wonder if it made him rich or if he got chased out of town :-)

Oh, don't forget to look at the drawing.