26. When creator James Montgomery Flagg later presented a copy of the poster to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Flagg revealed that he had used himself as a model for the image of Uncle Sam to avoid paying a modeling fee. The real-life inspiration for Uncle Sam, however, is somewhat more ambiguous and still in dispute. One popular theory links the inspiration for the national symbol to Samuel Wilson, a meatpacker from Troy, New York, who during the War of 1812 supplied meat to the American troops. Complying with labeling requirements, Wilson marked each package with "E.A.-U.S.," which likely stood for Elbert Anderson Jr., Wilson's contractor, and United States. But local soldiers attributed the U.S. stamp as standing for "Uncle Sam" Wilson.

Tim Wu, The Attention Merchants, loc. 1206