Sep 19, 2020
Robert Storm Petersen (Sept. 19, 1882 - 1949), known as Storm P. was a Danish writer, cartoonist, painter and inventor, known for what in the Anglophone world is known as Rube Goldberg machines. He was exceptionally creative linguistically as well, and a truly beloved cultural figure in Denmark in the 1920s and 30s.
His cartoon characters, Peter & Ping (the latter a well-dressed penguin who communicates through placards with sometimes rude slogans), were created in 1922 and Storm P. drew and wrote them for 27 years, i.e. until his death. One of Ping’s slogans is “Højt Skum”, as in “Big Head” on a glass of beer. I like that.