Barney Google and Snuffy Smith, originally Barney Google, is an American comic strip created by cartoonist Billy DeBeck. Since its debut on June 17, 1919, the strip has gained a huge international readership, appearing in 900 newspapers in 21 countries. The initial appeal of the strip led to its adaptation to film, animation, popular song and television. It added several terms and phrases to the English language and inspired the 1923 hit tune "Barney Google (with the Goo-Goo-Googly Eyes)" with lyrics by Billy Rose, as well as the 1923 record, "Come On, Spark Plug!"
Barney Google himself, once the star of the strip and a very popular character in his own right, has been almost entirely phased out of the feature. Since 1954, his appearances have been rare, and from a period between 1997 and 2012, he wasn't seen in the strip at all. Since 2012, he has been seen more often, making several week long appearances. Snuffy Smith, who was introduced in 1934, is now the comic strip's central character. Nevertheless, the feature is still titled Barney Google and Snuffy Smith.
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Many thanks Sir. I remember many a Sunday after dinner looking at the funnies and Snuffy. A vivid reminder of the lost days of youth and many happy memories of childhood. ------------------------------- R