The Mid Century Vault

Currently Playing: 024 Kilroy Was Here: Is This The Grandfather of All Memes?

What do a shipyard inspector, a British cartoon, and a bunch of GIs have in common? They're all part of the origin story of Kilroy Was Here, arguably the world’s very first meme! In this video, pop culture historian Philip Mershon uncovers the incredible journey of this simple doodle that became an icon for American soldiers during World War II. We'll explore: The unlikely origin: How a payroll dispute at a shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, led to the birth of the iconic phrase. The European connection: How a British cartoon named "Mr. Chad" completed the now-famous Kilroy doodle. The spread of a legend: How GIs carried Kilroy from battlefields and bunkers to the most unexpected places—even inside Hitler's personal retreat! Kilroy today: The many ways this legendary figure has appeared in movies, music, and monuments since the end of the war. Help us reach a wider audience by giving this video a like and leaving a comment. And if you enjoy diving into forgotten history, subscribe to the channel so you don't miss out on our next episode. If you'd like to further support my work, here's my buy me a coffee link: https://coff.ee/philipmershon For more Mid Century Vault adventures, just go here: https://www.youtube.com/user/philipmershon #midcenturyvault #philipmershon #popculturehistory #nostalgia #ww2