PRINTA brief history of... The kewpie
More than just a naked baby
COURTESY OF GALESSA
April 8, 2009 | 12:00 p.m. CST
One hundred years ago, the love child of Cupid and an angel was born. Its name is Kewpie, and as the current mascot of Hickman High School, it’s easy to make fun of. But Charley Blackmore, a 1963 Hickman graduate and creator of the Kewpie Classmates Association, says, “It’s highly regarded now for its uniqueness. It separates us from everyone else.” Naked babies sure do make you different, Hickman. The timeline below spans from the kewpie’s origin to its present-day incarnation.
1909 – Illustrator Rose O’Neill dreams up the kewpie and credits her baby brother as the chubby-cheeked inspiration. The kewpie made its debut in the December issue of Ladies’ Home Journal. Next time you’re in need of inspiration, follow O’Neill’s lead, and head to a local daycare for answers.
1912 – O’Neill’s idea for a paper doll with a front and a back, Kewpie Kutouts, is created. Children soon want a real version.
1913 – Kewpie dolls are patented, KEWPIE is trademarked, and the kewpie kraze commences. Think Beanie Babies circa 1999.
1914 – The kewpie makes its first appearance in The Cresset, Hickman’s yearbook, as a dedication to the basketball team for upholding the kewpie’s “Keep Smiling” motto.
1927 – The Hickman football team receives its kewpie name. Kay Lindner, Hickman activities assistant and the first kewpie mascot, recalls the story: “Our football team was losing badly, and the sports announcer said in spite of losing, they were smiling like kewpies. And it stuck.” Very Leave It To Beaver.
1967 – The first annual Kewpiesta convenes in Branson — kewpie lovers unite! This year’s gathering, the 100th Anniversary of the First Kewpies in Print, will be held April 22 – 26 in Branson.
late 1980s/early 1990s – The student cheering section at Hickman games dubs itself the Diaper Heads, but the name has since been discontinued because of its multiple connotations. Lindner says: “In this day and age, you wouldn’t do that. We would not allow that.” Renaming the gym “The Crib” was also rejected.
Now – Today, the kewpie remains a source of pride for Hickman. The high school’s current mascot, who for top-secret purposes wishes to remain anonymous, reveals: “I really like it. It’s the only one in the entire world.”
