Ep. 93 Rudolph: How Underdog Robert L. May Created a Christmas Icon

History Fix

I'm back this week with yet another inspiring underdog story... but make it Christmas! This week, I'll trace the origins of one of the most beloved Christmas characters, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, all the way back to his roots on the desk of a department story copywriter in 1939 Chicago. Robert L. May was down on his luck when his boss at Montgomery Ward asked him to write a children's book that the store could hand out to customers at Christmas time. He was in debt, his wife was dying of cancer, he was struggling to support his 4 year old daughter, and he was far from achieving his dream of becoming a great American writer. But, just like his underrated title character, Robert rose to the occasion and gave the world something it needed, something that mattered.
Read May's original Rudolph manuscript and listen to his daughter Barbara May Lewis read it here!
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Sources:

• Time Magazine "The Surprisingly Sad True Story Behind 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer'"
• NPR "The History of 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer'"
• Chicago Tribune "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer..."
• Wikipedia "Robert L. May"
• American Business History Center "Gimbel Brothers Department Stores: Dust to Dust"
• On Location Tours "'Elf' Filming Locations"
• Wikipedia "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"
• The Hollywood Reporter "'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' Most Beloved Holiday Movie, Poll Finds"
• Wikipedia "Johnny Marks"

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