Editing Joe Camel (section)

=== Background ===
Camel is the oldest cigarette brand in the United States, introduced by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) in 1913. The brand's logo originally featured a plain drawing of a camel, referred to as "Old Joe," designed by Belgian artist Fred Otto Kleesattel. The illustration was inspired by a real dromedary named Old Joe, part of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. The camel motif was chosen to reflect the use of Turkish tobacco, evoking associations with exotic Middle Eastern locales.

Camel cigarettes enjoyed significant popularity through various marketing campaigns, including a 1946 campaign claiming that doctors preferred Camels over other brands. By the early 1950s, Camel was the leading cigarette brand, but its market position declined by the mid-1980s. By 1985, Camel had dropped to sixth place, losing significant market share to Philip Morris’ Marlboro brand, which dominated with its iconic Marlboro Man campaign.