95) The Original Google…

Barney Google by Billy DeBeck 11-11-1934

Long before the search engine, there was Barney Google. 

Barney Google was created by Billy DeBeck in 1919. It was a very popular comic strip in its time, depicting the adventures of the diminutive Barney pursuing his interest in sports events such as prize fighting and horse races. In 1922 he acquired ownership of a race horse named Spark Plug and the comic strip became a national sensation. In 1934 DeBeck introduced the hillbillies of Hootin Holler. The lead hillbilly character was Snuffy Smith, who eventually took over the strip. DeBeck died in 1942, leaving the strip in the capable hands of his former assistant, Fred Lasswell. Upon Lasswell’s death in 2001, the talented John Rose took over.

Snuffy Smith by Fred Lasswell 3-14-1950

After more than one hundred years, Barney Google still makes occasional appearances to visit his friend Snuffy.

Snuffy Smith by John Rose 3-14-2002

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