Development of and Inspiration for Early Characters

Soon after Schulz’s 1950 publishing deal in New York, the strip progressed and characters began to develop. Charlie Brown, Schulz explains, was ‘the first of the formulas to develop. Formulas are truly the backbone of the comic strip.’ (Schulz, Golden Celebration, 14) Some of the earliest characters included Charlie Brown, Lucy, Schroeder and Linus. Snoopy, Schulz notes, ‘was the slowest to develop, and it was eventually his walking around on two feet that turned him into a lead character. It has certainly been difficult to keep him from taking over the feature.’(Schulz 14)

Schulz points to his family experience as a major source of inspiration for his characters and their adventures. The early years of Peanuts ‘contain many ideas which revolved around very tiny children because my own children where still young at the time.’ (Schulz 15) For example, the development of Lucy’s character as a ‘fussbudget’ came from Schulz’ trying experiences with his oldest daughter Meredith when she was very small. Her character also comes, Schulz explains, from ‘the part of [him] that’s capable of saying mean and sarcastic things, … so Lucy gives me an outlet.’

Linus’ blanket was inspired by ‘the blankets that [his] first three children dragged around the house.’ (Schulz 25) Schulz ‘did not know then that the term “security blanket” would later become part of American language.’ Learn more about Schulz and child psychology.

 

Who is the Real Charlie Brown?

There is much speculation regarding the real-life identity and inspiration of Peanuts’ leading every-man hero, Charlie Brown. Though many sources suggest Charlie Brown earned his namesake from Schulz himself, Schulz denies such a connection. Instead, he points to an inspiring friendship with a fellow artist at a correspondence school. This young man, one of Schulz’ closest friends was named Charlie Brown. Schulz asked and received Brown’s permission to use his namesake, but Brown expressed his humorous disappointment at the plain appearance of his round-headed namesake.

Why ‘Peanuts?’

Schulz initially had a very different idea for the name of his child-centered comic strip. Originally titling the strip, L’il Ones, Schulz felt this name appropriately fit the storyline which focused so clearly on the lives and adventures of several young children. At United Feature Syndicate, however, the encouraged Schulz to chose a different name since the characters were developing in more sophisticated ways. As Schulz explains,

All I could think of was “Charlie Brown,” or “Good Ol’ Charlie Brown.” The syndicate people didn’t care for those, and then informed me that they had the perfect title, “Peanuts.” I was horrified… and told [them] his was a terrible title. It was undignified, inappropriate and confusing. … “Well,” [they] said, “the salesmen are ready to take the feature on the road, and we think it’s a title that will catch the attention of editors.” What could a young unknown from Saint Paul say? I gave in.