Re:Art of Money Getting, by P. T. Barnum (actual book, 1880)
by jkush on Wednesday December 12, 2007 @10:53AM
(#88735)
I can't remember where I read this, but P.T. Barnum had a struggling museum in New York. Despite all of his clever tricks, he couldn't get the foot traffic he needed to keep the museum afloat.
He ended up putting signs all over New York announcing a free concert in front of the museum. He knew that being the summer time, lots of people wouldn't be able to resist the combination of free music played outdoors on a warm summer night.
The night of the concert, there were hundreds of people milling around the front of the museum. He had the musicians set up on the balcony and start playing. P.T. Barnum had purposefully hired the worst musicians he could find and after a few minutes of truly awful music, people started leaving. The vast majority however, having nothing else to do, decided to buy a ticket and go see what was inside the museum.
Re:Art of Money Getting, by P. T. Barnum (actual book, 1880)
by Shooter on Wednesday December 12, 2007 @04:20PM
(#88857)
One of my favorite Barnum stories is probably more well-known:
His Scudder's American museum in New York was struggling, in part, because the customers he did have would often end up lingering in front of the exhibits for an unnaturally long time, while they enjoyed the free heat and conversation of other patrons. He added a sign that read "This way to the egress!" and an arrow. Most patrons thought they were going to see a strange and unusual creature, but they were actually being herded to the exits (Exit=Egress.) He then charged them another quarter if they wanted to re-enter the museum. Maximizing throughput!
Re:Art of Money Getting, by P. T. Barnum (actual book, 1880)
by jkush on Wednesday December 12, 2007 @03:38PM
(#88841)
My in-laws lived across the street from P.T. Barnum's granddaughter (possibly great-granddaughter - I never really asked) in Florida. A lot of the stuff from the circus was apparently sold off but she still had lots of really cool stuff.
In fact, if I remember correctly, she has a tiny little sofa and end table which belonged to Tom Thumb!
He ended up putting signs all over New York announcing a free concert in front of the museum. He knew that being the summer time, lots of people wouldn't be able to resist the combination of free music played outdoors on a warm summer night.
The night of the concert, there were hundreds of people milling around the front of the museum. He had the musicians set up on the balcony and start playing. P.T. Barnum had purposefully hired the worst musicians he could find and after a few minutes of truly awful music, people started leaving. The vast majority however, having nothing else to do, decided to buy a ticket and go see what was inside the museum.
I love that story.
His Scudder's American museum in New York was struggling, in part, because the customers he did have would often end up lingering in front of the exhibits for an unnaturally long time, while they enjoyed the free heat and conversation of other patrons. He added a sign that read "This way to the egress!" and an arrow. Most patrons thought they were going to see a strange and unusual creature, but they were actually being herded to the exits (Exit=Egress.) He then charged them another quarter if they wanted to re-enter the museum. Maximizing throughput!
In fact, if I remember correctly, she has a tiny little sofa and end table which belonged to Tom Thumb!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Tom_Thumb
Best Chapter 1 advice ever!
When did the nature vs nurture question become a widespread meme? Was it after this book was written?
How am I gonna get paid to surf porn :(
Thanks for that story jkush. That was interesting.