Smokey Bear was created in 1944 to prevent wildfires during World War II. The Forest Service used posters and slogans to encourage people to prevent fires and win the war. The first Smokey Bear poster was created by artist Albert Staehle and a bear rescued during a wildfire was named after the mascot.
Smokey Bear is America’s longest running advertising campaign. Created in 1944 in response to an increase in wildfires, Smokey Bear ads have been used to prevent wildfires. Smokey Bear’s development occurred during World War II, as many men, including firefighters, were drafted and the general public was urged to be more diligent to prevent further fires. The Forest Service, along with the Wartime Publicity Board and the State Foresters’ Association used posters and slogans to suggest that people can prevent fires and win the war.
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Before Smokey Bear, Disney allowed a Bambi poster to be used for forest fire prevention.
Artist Albert Staehle (1899-1974) created the first Smokey Bear poster, which depicts the bear pouring water over an open fire.
In 1950, an American black bear was rescued during a wildfire in New Mexico, which burned 17,000 acres (69 km). The bear was named Hotfoot Teddy but later changed to Smokey after the mascot.
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