In the 1880s a printer named Jasper Meeks came up with the idea of promotional giveaways. He suggested to a bookstore that they provide burlap bags to a local school and advertise their logo on the front of the free bags. Today we can hardly imagine a world without branded merchandise.  

It is unknown whether dentists distributed these kites, but the profession has definitely adopted “giveaways” as part of the patient experience. 

This artifact represents a moment in time for not just  marketing, but oral health, and recreation as well.