PINEDALE, Wyo. — Smokey Bear continues his 80th birthday celebration with a national tour of his prized depictions, according to the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Nineteen paintings created by Rudolph “Rudy” Wendelin will make the rounds before Smokey’s 80th birthday on Aug. 9. Completed from 1977 to 1995, Wendelin was a U.S. Forest Service illustrator beginning in 1933. He is credited with creating Smokey’s signature human-like appearance, including his ranger hat and blue jeans, according to the Forest Service.
The Smokey Bear campaign was created in 1944. Forest protection became a national priority after a close call in Los Padres National Forest in California during WWII. This coincided with the popularity of the movie “Bambi”; Disney and the Forest Service struck a deal to license “Bambi” characters for a poster. The success of the poster signaled that a forest animal mascot was the way to go.
In addition to the painting tour, Smokey is celebrating his milestone birthday with a revamped look and sound.
View Wendelin’s work at the Sublette County Library from April 8 through 19, on loan from the USDA National Agricultural Library. See the paintings here.
