Art of Money Getting, by P. T. Barnum (actual book, 1880)
fourmilab.ch
fourmilab.ch
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!
Best Chapter 1 advice ever!
How am I gonna get paid to surf porn :(
When did the nature vs nurture question become a widespread meme? Was it after this book was written?
Thanks for that story jkush. That was interesting.