The modern concept of scarecrows first started with people. Young kids, normally boys of around 8-9 years of age would act as scarecrows of a sort. These kids would be employed by farmers to scare away the birds and crows threatening to congregate in the farmer’s field. This was the norm in Britain during medieval times, and one of the first incarnations of the idea that would turn into scarecrows.
There are many different cultures that have been using scarecrows for a variety of reasons over the years. Though the modern concept of scarecrows may have come from people, there were actually civilizations using them for years before. For instance, the Greeks carved wooden scarecrows to resemble Priapus, ugly son of Aphrodite – noting that, when they left the scarecrows in the vineyard, the birds would be scared away. The Romans took a leaf from the Greek custom, and they wound up introducing scarecrows throughout Europe.
The scarecrow has become a staple of popular culture, and they became hugely popular in the United States during the Great Depression in the 1930s. Though their popularity has waned since they are still recognizable throughout Western cultures. For example, one of the most famous and recognizable scarecrows ever is The Scarecrow of Oz from the famed book (and movie) The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. There have also been other famous scarecrows in pop culture, such as a villain and nemesis of Batman’s in the DC Universe. Scarecrows are a staple of modern culture, and, though they aren’t used as much these days, they still play an important role. Their impact as an aid for farmers, as well as a symbol of terror for many people, has ensured that we continue to tell stories about scarecrows.