Harold Bell

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For the former professional footballer, see Harold Bell (footballer).
Not to be confused with Idris Bell.
Harold Bell
Born(1919-10-05)October 5, 1919
Union City, New Jersey
DiedDecember 4, 2009(2009-12-04) (aged 90)
Los Angeles, California
OccupationCartoonist
EmployerWalt Disney Productions (1943-1957)
Known forCreating Woodsy Owl for the US Forest Service
Notable workWoodsy Owl
SpouseEdith Blonder
Parents
  • David Belsky (father)
  • Hilda Rosenthal Belsky (mother)

Harold Bell (October 5, 1919 – December 4, 2009) was an American

marketer and merchandising executive who co-created Woodsy Owl, the iconic mascot of the United States Forest Service. Bell created Woodsy Owl with two U.S. park rangers, Chuck Williams and Glenn Kovar, and another colleague, Betty Hite, for the first Earth Day in 1970.[1][2] Woodsy Owl is best known for the motto
, "Give a hoot, don’t pollute!".

Biography

Early life

Harold Bell was born on October 5, 1919, in

embroiderer.[1]

Bell served in the

Los Angeles, California, following the end of the war.[1]

Career

Once in

Walt Disney Company.[1] He founded his own marketing firm in 1957, which specialized in marketing cartoon, television and film characters to the public.[1] Through his company, Bell helped to brand and license such iconic characters as Lassie, the Lone Ranger, Dick Tracy and Mr. Magoo.[1][2]

Bell, a licensing agent,

public service announcements for the National Forest Service featuring Smokey Bear.[1][4]

Bell was hired as a technical advisor for the long-running, popular television show, Lassie.[1] The concept for Woodsy Owl was developed on the set of Lassie.[1] Bell teamed with three other Lassie technical advisors - United States Forest Service rangers, Chuck Williams and Glenn Kovar, and colleague Betty Hite - to create Woodsy Owl as the new mascot for the United States Forest Service for the first Earth Day in 1970.[1][5]

Woodsy Owl, anti-pollution mascot, for the US Forest Service

The United States Forest Service had requested that Bell and the others develop a new message and symbol for the agency.

forest fire prevention. The owl would be used to advocate environmental programs and urge American children to fight pollution and help the environment.[1] Woodsy Owl became most famous for his motto, Give a hoot, Don’t pollute. As of 2009, the character now uses the slogan, Help Woodsy Spread the Word, mixed with the song, The Syncopated Clock, by Leroy Anderson.[1][7]

References

  1. ^
    New York Times
    . Retrieved 2010-02-14.
  2. ^ a b c Hevesi, Dennis (2009-12-17). "Harold Bell, merchandising executive who designed the environmentally conscious character Woodsy Owl, dies at 90". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
  3. ^ Arrue, Karina (15 December 2009). "Union City native, co-creator of Woodsy Owl, dies in L.A., reports says". nj.com. The Jersey Journal. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Woodsy the Owl, Smokey Bear's best friend". Richmond Times-Dispatch. 9 December 2016. Archived from the original on 15 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  5. ^ Lewis, James (15 December 2009). "Remembering Harold Bell, Creator of Woodsy Owl". Forest History Society. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  6. ^ Taylor, Heather (23 February 2017). "Hoot, Hoot, Hooray! 5 Fun Facts You Might Not Know About Woodsy Owl". PopIcon.life. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Woodsy Owl's ABCs". US Forest Service. Retrieved 15 September 2023.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harold_Bell&oldid=1175827369"