THE FIRST MEME IN THE WORLD

The character Mr. Chad seen in the doodle (shown below) is rumored to have been originally illustrated by British cartoonist George Chatterton in 1938, according to the author Michael Quinion on his site World Wide Words.

The earliest known use of the doodle in street art can be found on a wall in Fort Knox, Kentucky, drawn in chalk and dated May 13th, 1937, as seen in the History Channel documentary titled “Fort Knox: Secrets Revealed.”

ORIGIN

An Australian version of the doodle bearing the phrase “Foo was here” is rumored to have predated the American version by roughly 25 years, according to the website Digger History.

Precursor

The doodle was often written on walls and equipment by United States servicemen during World War II and is rumored to have led Hitler to believe that Kilroy was the code name of a spy. In the book Panati's Parade of Fads, Follies, and Manias: The Origins of Our Most Cherished Obsessions, author Charles Panati wrote that Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin discovered a Kilroy graffiti in the VIP bathroom at the Potsdam Conference in 1945. In 1946, NBC singer Paul page released a song titled "Kilroy Was Here."In 1955, the science fiction short story The Message by author Isaac Asimov was published, in which a time-traveler named George Kilroy is depicted as the writer of the graffiti. In 1997, New Zealand released a new stamp featuring Kilroy (shown below).

SPREAD

Kilroy Was Here: The True Story Behind World’s First Meme.

Kilroy in Games
Kilroy didn’t stop at war zones. From bunkers to video games, the iconic figure made its way into pop culture. In games like Call of Duty and Medal of Honor, Kilroy appears as a hidden Easter egg, a nod to his roots in history and a wink to gamers who know the legend. Whether scribbled on a wall or tucked away in the background, Kilroy continues to leave his mark, reminding us that he’s always one step ahead.

The First Meme Ever
Before the internet, before social media, there was Kilroy – the world’s first viral sensation. Originating during World War II, "Kilroy Was Here" wasn’t just a doodle, it became a global phenomenon. Soldiers scrawled it across walls, vehicles, and equipment, spreading it from one corner of the world to the other. It was a playful reminder that no matter where you were, Kilroy had already been there.

Kilroy Was Everywhere
It wasn’t just soldiers who were confused by Kilroy’s mysterious presence. Even world leaders like Hitler and Stalin took notice, wondering who or what Kilroy was. Was he a spy? A joke? No one knew for sure. But that’s the beauty of Kilroy – a symbol of mischief and rebellion that transcended borders. Now, in the digital age, Kilroy is back, inspiring a new generation with his timeless spirit. Like the crypto revolution, Kilroy remains unstoppable, unstoppable, and unforgettable.

Your Modern Kilroy

CA:TBA