Rudolph Turns 50

Christmas 1989 marks Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer's 50 th birthday, for it was in 1939 that Bob May '26—then an advertising copywriter for Montgomery Ward—was asked to write a children's story for a giveaway coloring book. Modeling his story on "The Night Before Christmas," May created Rudolph, who quickly pranced into the pantheon of kids' animal heroes. By 1947 seven million copies had been given away.

At that point Montgomery Ward must have figured the bloom was off the rose—or nose—and gave May the copyright. Then, in 1949, the Johnny Marks musical version sung by Gene Autry became the country's number one record—and it must have seemed like Christmas every day in the May house- hold. Certainly every December Rudolph occupied Bob May's front lawn in Evanston, 111.

But by Bob's death in 1976 that particular reindeer with the light-bulb nose had become quite fragile. Then, much as Rudolph had come to Santa's rescue one foggy Christmas Eve, his creator's classmates came to his rescue. Charlie Starrett generated a project to transfer Rudolph to Hanover; A 1 Louer arranged crating and shipping; and Tubba Weymouth entered into negotiations with the College and Hopkins Center.

Everyone agreed that Rudolph indeed was historic Americana, folk art that deserved to be restored for future generations to see. So today Rudolph lives quietly in Hopkins Center and comes out once a year to be admired by youngsters of all ages.