Popeye

Popeye is a comic strip character created by E.C. Segar. He first appeared on January 17, 1929, in Segar's existing newspaper strip Thimble Theatre, which had been running since 1919 with a different cast.

Popeye was introduced as a one-eyed sailor hired by Castor Oyl for a sea voyage. Segar intended him as a temporary character, but overwhelming reader response led to his return as the strip's permanent lead. The original Thimble Theatre cast, including Olive Oyl, Wimpy, and the Sea Hag, became Popeye's supporting players. Segar reportedly based the character's appearance and toughness on Frank "Rocky" Fiegel, a local laborer from his hometown of Chester, Illinois.

Popeye is known for his superhuman strength, which in the animated cartoons is triggered by eating spinach. In Segar's original comics, his durability came from rubbing the head of the magical Whiffle Hen. The character expanded into animated shorts, a long-running comic book series, and various media adaptations, becoming one of the most widely recognized cartoon characters of the 20th century.