Albert Lasker

Albert Lasker (1880-1952) is often considered to be the founder of modern advertising. Among his pioneering contributions were the introduction into schools of classes that would explain to young girls about menstruation (done to promote Kotex tampons). He is also credited as being the inventor of the soap opera, with being responsible for the fact that radio (and television after it) is an advertising-driven medium, and with having masterminded Warren Harding's election campaign.

The Lasker Awards are named for him.