Advertisements exist to sell us things, but sometimes they can change the way we think.

The reason we have diamonds on our engagement rings, or why we drink orange juice each morning, or even our idea of Santa Claus can be traced back to iconic ads.

At its best, advertising can become part of the zeitgeist, like Rosie the Riveter or the Marlboro Man.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The first newspaper ad in America appeared back in 1704 when someone was trying to sell a house on Long Island.

Since then, the advertising industry has undergone a huge transformation.

Over the years, we have seen dozens of ads that have done much more than just persuade us to buy a product or service. The very best campaigns have affected the way we communicate and interact with one another, from the coffee breaks we enjoy, to the clothes we wear to work, to the videos we share online.

It even comes down to details like diamond engagement rings, orange juice, and Santa Claus.

With that in mind, we gathered 17 ads that have shaped our culture.

Aaron Taube contributed to a previous version of this article.