Snoopy
Snoopy is a beloved cartoon character created by Charles Schulz for the Peanuts comic strip, which debuted on October 4, 1950. This whimsical beagle is known for his distinctive black and white appearance and big nose, and he quickly became a fan favorite, often featuring in strips independently from other characters. Over the years, Snoopy has taken on a variety of personas, including a frustrated author, the cool "Joe Cool," and a World War I flying ace locked in combat with the Red Baron. His character evolved to include a backstory with siblings and a sister, and he has a unique dog house that cleverly conceals an extraordinary, hidden life.
Snoopy's impact extends beyond the comic strip; he has been embraced in various media, including television specials, amusement parks, and parades. He even served as the mascot for NASA during the Apollo 10 mission in 1969. Recognized for his cheerful demeanor and signature dance, Snoopy remains a cultural icon, beloved across generations and celebrated in events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, where he has made numerous appearances as a giant balloon. His character resonates with audiences for his playful nature and unwavering self-confidence.
Snoopy
Snoopy is a cartoon character created by cartoonist Charles Schultz for his Peanuts comic strip. Drawn as a black and white beagle with a big nose, Snoopy first appeared on October 4, 1950, as the pet dog of the strip’s main character, Charlie Brown. Snoopy went on to become a fan favorite and was often featured in strips without any other Peanuts characters. Since his debut, Snoopy has become one of the most iconic comic characters of all time, appearing in numerous media sources. He has also been featured at various amusement parks and parades and has even been part of the US space program.
Overview
The Peanuts comic strip originally appeared in October 1950 and ran in just seven newspapers. At first, Snoopy was simply depicted as a dog, but soon began to communicate with thought bubbles that appeared over his head. Over time, he took on numerous personalities, including a frustrated author, Joe Cool, and—one of his most popular—a World War I pilot locked in perpetual combat with the Red Baron.
During the fifty years that Schultz drew Peanuts, Snoopy was gradually given a backstory. Brothers named Spike, Marbles, Olaf, and Andy were added, along with a sister, Belle. It was revealed that Snoopy’s birthday was October 10, though it was unclear what year he was born. Schultz also revealed that he modeled Snoopy after his own teenage pet, a dog named Spike, and originally intended to name him Sniffy. However, he discovered that another comic strip had a dog with that name, so he changed his dog’s name. Schultz said his mother once mentioned Snoopy would be a good name if the family ever had another dog.
Snoopy lives in a dog house that appears to be just the right size for him. However, over the course of the strip, the house was shown to hold an entire hidden life for Snoopy. It held a pool table, a large painting, and a large amount of Christmas tree decorations. It was also large enough to support a birdbath frozen over to form a hockey rink for his bird friend, Woodstock.
Since his debut, Snoopy has made a significant impact on popular culture around the world. His image has been featured in many diverse ways and been beloved by three generations. Along with his Peanuts companions, Snoopy has appeared in several popular television specials and been used to encourage physical fitness in schools. In 1968, he became the mascot for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the May 1969 Apollo 10 mission—the second to orbit the moon—included a lunar module bearing his name. Snoopy also garnered votes in both the 1968 and 1972 campaigns for US president as a write-in candidate.
Snoopy has also made numerous appearances in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. He is the parade’s longest-flying balloon and is one of only a few of the giant balloons to appear in different forms over multiple years. He is celebrated for his nearly constant cheerful attitude, his iconic “happy dance,” and his consistent self-confidence.
Bibliography
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“Snoopy.” Peanuts, www.peanuts.com/characters/snoopy/. Accessed 3 June 2020.
“Snoopy and the Red Baron.” Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2020, schulzmuseum.org/traveling-exhibitions/rent-a-traveling-exhibit/snoopy-red-baron/. Accessed 3 June 2020.
“Snoopy is Cleared For Takeoff.” Business Wire, 13 July 2019, www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190713005020/en/Snoopy-Cleared-Take-off. Accessed 3 June 2020.
Warner, Kylie. “How Charlie Brown and Snoopy Stole Our Hearts.” 1843 Magazine, 6 Nov. 2018, www.1843magazine.com/culture/look-closer/how-charlie-brown-and-snoopy-stole-our-hearts. Accessed 3 June 2020.