6. Santa Claus in His Red Suit
The image of Santa Claus—plump, bearded, and dressed in red—is often mistaken as an ancient tradition. In reality, this version of Santa was cemented by Coca-Cola’s advertising campaigns in the 1930s. Earlier depictions showed him in a variety of costumes and personalities, from stern bishop to mischievous elf. Today’s iconic Santa is a product of modern marketing. Smithsonian Source
