01/28/2025
Professor Emeritus Dr. Julie K. Henderson has completed a book, Evolution from Oxymororn: A Genesis of Public Relations Ethics, available from Amazon.
Using original papers housed in the archives of the Wisconsin Historical Society Mass Communication History Collection, Evolution from Oxymoron explores how leaders -- through their words and deeds -- collaborated, argued, and eventually agreed on what should be considered public relations ethics. Special emphasis is on the papers of John W. Hill and Arthur Page during 1900-1950 and contributions of Edward Bernays, Ivy Ledbetter Lee, Rex Harlow and others.
Numerous real-life examples include how Harvard University handled a visit by Bertrand Russell, why Bell Telephone had only female operators, and how propaganda became a valuable tool during World War II. Many of the challenges presented stay the same today, but technology always creates new ones.
This book provides an inside look designed to spark conversation both in the classroom and the boardroom.
