It is amazing how Christopher Columbus’ name and image have found their way into some unexpected products. There are high-quality salamis, cigars and wine that bear his name. Each of these make sense, since each of those products carry a connection to the Great Navigator. However, when it comes to running shoes, vacuum cleaners and electric guitars – any connection to Columbus is well beyond a stretch of the imagination.
There is really nothing new about the marketing of Columbus. Products bearing his image became popular in the years leading up to the 400th anniversary of his first voyage to the Americas in 1492, when everything from gas lamps to toothpick holders could be purchased showing Columbus, most often pointing to the discovery to the New World!
