The original camel for Camel cigarettes was an Arabian dromedary named “Old Joe” that appeared in the Barnum & Bailey Circus at the turn of the century.
At that time, the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was looking for an exotic name and concept to link with its new Oriental and Turkish blend cigarette.
On October 21, 1913, Camel cigarettes were launched, with the now famous illustration of Old Joe on its wrapper.