The practice of using carved wooden Indian figures in advertising originated in the 1600's in Europe, where American Indians were strongly associated with tobacco. Over the years the practice spread to the U.S., and by the 1800's carved Indians and other figures had become commonplace as a way to advertise not just cigar stores, but many types of stores and brands. Authentic life-sized cigar store Indians (chiefs and squaws), which fell out of fashion around 1900, are actually quite rare today.