Thomas the Tank Engine is an anthropomorphised fictional tank locomotive in the British Railway Series books by Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher, published from 1945. He became the most popular and famous character in the series, and is the titular protagonist in the accompanying television adaptation series Thomas & Friends and its reboot Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go.
The TV series and Hornby based Thomas on this prototype belonging to the LB&SCR E2 class.
Thomas' model in Series 8 (2004)
A Thomas the Tank Engine themed JNR Class C11 train in Japan, 2014
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. It is considered to be an innate tendency of human psychology. Personification is the related attribution of human form and characteristics to abstract concepts such as nations, emotions, and natural forces, such as seasons and weather. Both have ancient roots as storytelling and artistic devices, and most cultures have traditional fables with anthropomorphized animals as characters. People have also routinely attributed human emotions and behavioral traits to wild as well as domesticated animals.
In this illustration by Milo Winter of Aesop's fable, "The North Wind and the Sun", a personified North Wind tries to strip the cloak off a traveler.
Personification of Music by Antonio Franchi, c. 1650
The 35,000 to 40,000 year-old Löwenmensch figurine
Anthropomorphic "pebble" figures from the 7th millennium BC
