Open Culture compiles Eisenhower Answers America, the ad campaign that lead to Dwight D. Eisenhower’s victory in the 1952 presidential election. Eisenhower was an American war hero, and the use of television only solidified his legendary status with American voters, proving televised advertisements an invaluable resource for political campaigns.
Living up to their name, the ads consist of twenty second question and answer sessions between Eisenhower and American citizens:
“In ’52, Ike aired the first ad campaigns on television. Called Eisenhower Answers America, the ads featured ‘everyday’ Americans asking questions about the issues of the day — the war in Korea, inflation, high taxes, etc.”
