After going through years of arguing with kids and grandkids, the mystery of the widely debated Smokey Bear vs. Smokey the Bear, oft used to represent the Mandala Effect, has been solved. Here ya go! (And kids, I win this round!)
Smokey Bear is an American advertising mascot created by the Ad Council with artist Albert Staehle,[1][2] possibly in collaboration with writer and art critic Harold Rosenberg.[3] It is administered by the Ad Council, the United States Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters to educate the public about the dangers of wildfires. A campaign featuring Smokey and the slogan "Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires" began in 1944. His later slogan, "Remember... Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires" was created in 1947. In April 2001, the message was updated to "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires."[4] According to the Ad Council, he and his message are recognized in the United States by 95% of adults and 77% of children.[5]
In 1952, the songwriters Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins had a successful song named "Smokey the Bear". The pair said "the" was added to Smokey's name to keep the song's rhythm.[6] During the 1950s, that variant of the name became widespread both in popular speech and in print, including at least one standard encyclopedia.[7] A 1955 book in the Little Golden Books series was called Smokey the Bear and he calls himself by this name in the book. It depicted him as an orphaned cub rescued in the aftermath of a forest fire. From the beginning, his name was intentionally spelled differently from the adjective "smoky".
Smokey Bear's name and image are protected by U.S. federal law, the Smokey Bear Act of 1952 (16 U.S.C. 580 (p-2); 18 U.S.C. 711).[8][9]
Smokey Bear is an American advertising mascot created by the Ad Council with artist Albert Staehle,[1][2] possibly in collaboration with writer and art critic Harold Rosenberg.[3] It is administered by the Ad Council, the United States Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters to educate the public about the dangers of wildfires. A campaign featuring Smokey and the slogan "Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires" began in 1944. His later slogan, "Remember... Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires" was created in 1947. In April 2001, the message was updated to "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires."[4] According to the Ad Council, he and his message are recognized in the United States by 95% of adults and 77% of children.[5]
In 1952, the songwriters Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins had a successful song named "Smokey the Bear". The pair said "the" was added to Smokey's name to keep the song's rhythm.[6] During the 1950s, that variant of the name became widespread both in popular speech and in print, including at least one standard encyclopedia.[7] A 1955 book in the Little Golden Books series was called Smokey the Bear and he calls himself by this name in the book. It depicted him as an orphaned cub rescued in the aftermath of a forest fire. From the beginning, his name was intentionally spelled differently from the adjective "smoky".
Smokey Bear's name and image are protected by U.S. federal law, the Smokey Bear Act of 1952 (16 U.S.C. 580 (p-2); 18 U.S.C. 711).[8][9]
