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Coca-Cola first commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom in 1931 to create a Santa for their "The Pause That Refreshes" campaign.

The iconic is widely recognized as the definitive modern image of Santa Claus. While Coca-Cola did not "invent" Santa, their century-long advertising campaign transformed him from a varied folkloric figure into the jolly, red-suited character known today. Historical Background

Sundblom’s first model was his friend Lou Prentiss, a retired salesman. After Prentiss died, Sundblom used himself as a model by looking in a mirror. Myth vs. Reality

Sundblom drew inspiration from Clement Clarke Moore’s 1822 poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas" ("'Twas the Night Before Christmas"), which described Santa as a warm, jolly, and human-like figure.