Though Saint Nicholas of Myra is the inspiration for Santa Claus, the modern image of Santa was created by Coca Cola advertising execs in 1931.
Hope everyone who celebrates had a Merry Christmas.
(source)
Actually - Coca Cola just popularized cartoons from Harper’s Weekly by Thomas Nast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt4droyJEvM
HO HO HO!