Thomas Nast is credited with creating the modern Santa Claus image in 1863 as scholars like Jens Rydström examine the figure's role as a patriarchal symbol.These historical records clarify that Nast's illustrations for Harper's Weekly predated the influential 1930s Coca-Cola marketing campaigns by several decades.This cultural icon continues to represent benevolence and authority even as organizations like a Brighton museum explore more inclusive models like Mrs. Claus.