These are some of the real Mad men. They are fictional characters devised to sell products and make us men proud to be part of the consumer club. From J.C. Lyendecker’s Arrow Shirt man (top) of the 20s, to the Schweppes, Dobbs and Hathaway Shirt men of the 50s, to today’s Dos Equis’ “Most Interesting Man in the World,” which is cut with a sliver of irony. These are capitalism’s main men, fake figures – like Wizards of Oz – yet as real, thanks to persuasive advertising, as any world leader. Big Brother is not only watching, he’s selling.
