Billiken

The Billiken is a charm doll created by an American art teacher and illustrator, Florence Pretz of Kansas City, Missouri, who patented it in 1908. The Billiken is said to represent "The God of Things as They Ought to Be."

The figure is often depicted as a chubby, smiling figure with pointed ears, a tuft of hair on its head, and perpetually upturned feet. The Billiken quickly became a popular good luck charm, achieving widespread recognition in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.

Its popularity peaked in the early 20th century, from roughly 1909 to the 1920s, appearing on a wide array of products including dolls, postcards, figurines, jewelry, and even as a mascot for various institutions. Notably, Saint Louis University adopted the Billiken as its athletic mascot in 1911, a connection that remains to this day.

While the origin of the name "Billiken" remains somewhat debated, some suggest Pretz derived it from a poem or encounter she experienced prior to creating the figure. Despite its initial burst of fame, the Billiken's general popularity waned significantly in the mid-20th century, though it persists as a symbol closely associated with Saint Louis University and continues to be collected by enthusiasts.

The Billiken represents a fascinating example of early 20th-century popular culture and the power of novelty in creating a fleeting but memorable cultural icon.