Kilroy & Peekies

American soldiers drew a cartoon character called Kilroy on buildings and sidewalks as they advanced through enemy territory. Kilroy became the United State's super GI and represented America's worldwide presence.

World War II veteran Bob Neller made plastic novelty Kilroys which he named Peekies. He called them Peekies because, like Kilroys, they peeked. Appleton became the Peekie capital of the world in the mid-1940s. Neller's factory on south Pierce Avenue produced as many as 10,000 Peekies a day. The company closed in 1947 when a fire destroyed the plant.

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Small Peekie, circa 1945
OCHS # 2002.27.2

Many people wore Peekies in their pockets or on their lapels. Neller made six different kinds of Peekies including: "Stinky;" "Swimmer;" a large standard; a small model; a lapel model, and one designed for women to wear at the bottom of the "V" necklines on their dresses. Customers bought Peekies for 50 cents at Walgreen stores.