In 1939, Montgomery Ward wanted a children’s book that could be given out during the Christmas season and one of their copywriters, Robert L. May, created the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
The story of Rudolph spawned a song some years later which spread this little deer’s fame. As a result, Rudolph could be found on almost anything and everything for children including pajamas, rugs, wallets and board games. You’ll even find him playing his reindeer games on puzzles, handkerchiefs, dishes, record players, radios, cameras, irons, soap, backpacks, coin-operated rides, and his very own three-inch plastic Rudolph ornament.
Although the image of Rudolph has changed a bit over the years, in fact, the original reindeer has two green nubs on his head, not full antlers.