William Morgan DeBeck, better known as Billy DeBeck, was an American cartoonist. He is most famous as the creator of the comic strip Barney Google, later retitled Barney Google and Snuffy Smith. The strip was especially popular in the 1920s and 1930s, and featured a number of well-known characters, including the title character, Bunky, Snuffy Smith, and Spark Plug the race horse. Spark Plug was a merchandising phenomenon, and has been called the Snoopy of the 1920s.
Billy DeBeck with Barney Google and Spark Plug
DeBeck with boxing heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey in 1919.
DeBeck introduced the popular race horse Spark Plug on July 17, 1922.
DeBeck's assistant Paul Fung (pictured) took over Barney Google's topper Bughouse Fables in the 1920s.
Barney Google and Snuffy Smith
Barney Google and Snuffy Smith, originally Take Barney Google, for Instance, is an American comic strip created by cartoonist Billy DeBeck. Since its debut on June 17, 1919, the strip has gained a large 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 lyrics by Billy Rose, as well as the 1923 record "Come On, Spark Plug!"
Bunky and Barney Google and Snuffy Smith (July 26, 1942)
Barney Google and Snuffy Smith
Billy DeBeck's Barney Google (February 5, 1931)
Menu for planned Snuffy's Shanty hot dog shops