"Those who really desire to attain an independence, have only set their minds upon it, and adopt the proper means, as they do in regard to any other object which they wish to accomplish, and the thing is easily done."

     Barnum's interest in creating a public voice was encouraged early in his life.  Barnum's namesake was his maternal grandfather Phineas Taylor.  Barnum so respected this man, that he put his picture on the cover page of Barnum's own autobiography.  Phineas was the loudest, most attention-grabbing jokester in the Bethel community.  Barnum learned from this man the importance of being NOTED.  

     However, the first true "showman" Barnum had the opportunity to admire was Chevalier Henry Wikoff; a manager to an unheard of stage performer.  Barnum watched this master handle the media with such strong puffery that America was in a mania over this new performer.  Barnum immediately realized the power of publicity.  After scattering about jobs in various communities, Barnum set-off for New York City.  He knew New York was where the action was for him and his big ideas.  His talents were evident early; Barnum spent a small part of his early career writing advertisements for the Bowery Amphitheater in New York City.
     Eventually, Barnum became more interested in creating his own events; although he claims to have "fallen into the occupation."  He learned of an "exhibit for sale:" Joice Heth, the 161-year-old slave who assisted in the birth of George Washington.  Ironically, Barnum "bought" her Joice for $1000, talked down from $3000.  Barnum quickly plastered NYC with ads, like the one below.  The press ate the story up, especially with the help of Barnum's one-third lawyer, one-third press agent, one-third barker, Levi Lyman stirring up the excitement.  When crowds dissipated, Barnum would send the press a letter from a "visitor" and claim the whole thing was a hoax.  The crowds would return to see if the "visitor" was correct.  Barnum felt that the public enjoyed being deceived, as long as they received some entertainment for their troubles.

     However, Joice soon passed away.  Barnum managed one more last trick for the press.  He claimed that she was still alive and performing . . . the papers ate it up.  There still exists a debate of how aware Barnum was about the hoax he was performing.  However, he had definitely entered the arena . . . and he had definitely learned that the whole truth was not always necessary.  
     After the Joice Heth fiasco, Barnum created the infamous "Fejee Mermaid" hoax.  Barnum advertised the arrival of his next attraction, the mermaids with great effort.  People fell into mermaid fever, despite being just recently fooled by Barnum.  However, instead of the beautiful mermaids displayed in several posters and newspaper ads, a dried-out, hideous carcass was presented.  However, Barnum had created such a buzz, that people became more intrigued.  Controversy arose again as scientist began to doubt the feasibility of the "mermaid."  Once again, Barnum met his troubles with advertising.  He asked the public in advertisements to "decide for themselves, when doctors disagree."  Once again, Barnum had proved himself a pure genius of advertising; although a hoax, Barnum's mermaid was the most talked about event of the year.

     Barnum's greatest publicity event in his early career was the introduction of a European singer, Jenny Lind, to America.  He filled the papers with tremendous amounts of stories about this young lovely's accomplishments in Europe.  He held auctions for her tickets, a grand parade for her arrival, a complete color coordination of the event and arena, and the donation of all the profits from the first performance to charity.  Barnum turned the country into an up roar over Ms. Lind.  With this event, he first grabbed the national spotlight to the full extent.  He had grabbed the country with the biggest event of the year . . . and he did not want to let go.  If you want to see how he would capture attention with his attractions and his Museum, click on "continue."