[Atlas Sneezed]

The current “American Santa” is basically the 1930s Coke advertising Santa.

Actually it goes back a bit father than that.

From Wikipedia: "One of the first artists to define Santa Claus's modern image was Thomas Nast, an American cartoonist of the 19th century. In 1863, a picture of Santa illustrated by Nast appeared in Harper's Weekly."

Here is an image from 1881:

[discostu]

Santa’s been around for a long time, but the version of Santa we see now, which looks very different from the picture you attached, is really the Coke Santa.

[Yaelle]

"This opium sure makes me thirsty. Can't wait til they invent Coca-Cola, which will quench my thirst and give me strength to work all night long!"

[gunner03]

Actually it goes back a bit father than that.

From Wikipedia: “One of the first artists to define Santa Claus’s modern image was Thomas Nast, an American cartoonist of the 19th century. In 1863, a picture of Santa illustrated by Nast appeared in Harper’s Weekly.

I can remember as a kid in the 40s going to the volunteer fire station with my Uncle and they had an origin Thomas Nast signed drawing of Santa. Seems like he was a member in years past.