Google Celebrates Popeye’s Creator, E. C. Segar’s 115th Birthday

Why is “Popeye” on Google?

Popeye the Sailor Man was first introduced in 1929. (Photo from Wikimedia.org)

If you’re wondering why Popeye the Sailor Man is Google’s logo today, that’s because they are celebrating Popeye’s creator, E. C. Segar’s 115th birthday, which is today. It’s hard to believe Popeye made its first appearance in the daily “King Feature Syndicate” comic strip Thimble Theatre almost a century ago.

Who is E. C. Segar?

E. C. Segar (Elzie Crisler Segar) was born and raised in a small town in Illinois. Before he became a well-known cartoonist, E.C. Segar utilized the other skills and talents he had. For instance, he was skilled at playing drums. He provided musical support to various films and vaudeville acts in the local theater, and soon became a film projectionist. In his earlier years, he worked with his father in home repairs and reconstruction.

At age 18, he decided to take his career to the next level and earn some quick cash as a cartoonist.
On March 12, 1916, the Chicago Herald, a newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois from 1901 until 1914, published E.C. Segar’s first comic, Charlie Chaplin’s Comedy Capers. Two years later, he moved on to the Chicago Evening American, where he created ‘Looping the Loop’. He was later sent to New York to work for King Features Syndicate.

Popeye the Sailor – A Star is born!

Popeye the Sailor, a fictional hero known for his slightly missing one eye and unique way of speaking, first appeared in the daily King Features comic strip Thimble Theatre on January 17, 1929. The Thimble Theatre strip was already in its 10th year at the time, with characters Olive Oyl, Castor Oyl and Horace Hamgravy as the strips leads. But when Caster Oyl needed a sailor to transport his ship to Dice Island, thus, a star was born! Popeye the Sailor was introduced and quickly became a stellar character on the strip, making a mass of quick cash and the Thimble Theatre comic strip the most popular King Features property in the 1930s.

Even after all these years, everyone still knows of Popeye the Sailor. We can all sing, or at least hum to the Popeye the Sailor man song. Everyone who has had a T.V. growing up know exactly why spinach is an important factor especially when the bad guys comes sniffing around. Kids who hated vegetables were gobbling down their spinaches just to be like Popeye the Sailor Man.

Elzie Crisler Segar passed away October 13, 1938 at age 43 after a long illness. Today, Google and many others mark his 115th birthday and remember his notable works.