Who started the whole "Motivational Poster" thing?

[BTM]

I mean, I know you guys have seen them.. they're quasi motivational posters, usually with black backgrounds, the same font face (not sure which one, Arial, maybe?) It usually has a picture, one word in the first line, then the second sentence is the punchline.  I'm guessing they're parodies of a real series of motivational posters that some company or poster group has done, and I'm curious if anyone knew more about them.

Here's some examples:









And also, post your favorites!  Or any one you can find that's funny. :)

Or, create your own poster! http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/motivator.php

[schmendrik]

Probably started with these guys:

http://despair.com/viewall.html

At least, that's the first place I ever saw these "demotivational posters".

[Rev. Powell]

Schmendrick is correct.  They were originally a series of prints and calendars aimed at the corportate world.  Here are a few of my favorites from the original series:





They have set up a template where you can upload a photograph and make your own:

http://diy.despair.com/motivator.php

This has resulted in a lot of not-so-clever imitations that you see floating around the Net.  Somnetimes people will make funny ones, though.

Here's one that I found that I think was probably made by our own Circus Circus  :



And here's two I made just now for a lark with pictures I had lying around:





Edit: fixed DIY link.

[BTM]

And here's two I made just now for a lark with pictures I had lying around:

Say, isn't that from Xena?

Oh, love the Hitler one!  :)

Most of the ones I really like I probably can't post here... hehe!

[Rev. Powell]

img width=580 height=464]http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5664/screenwritingvw3.jpg[/img]

Say, isn't that from Xena?

Oh, love the Hitler one!  :)

Most of the ones I really like I probably can't post here... hehe!

Yep, from Xena. 

Hopefully someone will take advantage of that "make it yourself" link: http://diy.despair.com/motivator.php. 

I'd love to see what you guiys come up with.  Sorry for posting the wrong link in my original message; I've fixed it now.

[schmendrik]

And here's two I made just now for a lark with pictures I had lying around:

Say, isn't that from Xena?

Oh yeah. I remember that episode. That's where I started thinking, "OK, I could be wrong, but maybe there just might be a teeny-tiny chance that they're playing to their lesbian fan base."

[ghouck]

And another, in extremely poor taste and NSFW. Don't say I didn't warn you.

http://www.craptasticvoyage.com/pictures/poster29581872.jpg

[ghouck]

[Allhallowsday]

...

Oh!  Vhat ein vorld!  Vhat ein vorld!  Heh heh heh... 

[the master]

yeh they where probley started on 4chan or somthing like that and there called demotivators

[Rev. Powell]

yeh they where probley started on 4chan or somthing like that and there called demotivators

As stated earlier in the thread it was started by Despair, Inc., in 1998.

[Rev. Powell]

Here's one for you, cris...

[the master]

yeh they where probley started on 4chan or somthing like that and there called demotivators

As stated earlier in the thread it was started by Despair, Inc., in 1998.

really well it seems like 4 chan always makes them famous like lol cats rick roll and tay zonday and mudkipz

[the master]

Here's one for you, cris...

[frank]