| Kilroy | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Other Names |
Smoe, Clem, Flywheel, Private Snoops, Overby, Eugene the Jeep, Scabooch, Sapo |
|
First Appearance |
Unknown |
|
Original Publisher |
None |
|
Created by |
James J. Kilroy |
Origin[]
Kilroy was a popular graffiti during World War II, depicting a bald figure with a large prominent nose peeking over a wall with the phrase "Kilroy Was Here." It symbolized the presence of American troops and boosted morale.
The origin is often linked to James J. Kilroy, a shipyard inspector in Quincy, Massachusetts, who marked inspected areas with the phrase to prevent erasure by the riveters looking for double payment. Servicemen in Europe would find amusement in the drawing and would spread the graffiti worldwide, making Kilroy a cultural icon of the era.