Albert Staehle, Illustrator

 Albert Staehle is considered one of America's Greatest Animal   illustrators. He was the creator of Smokey Bear and his beloved real-life   dog, BUTCH, appeared on 55 Saturday Evening Post and American Weekly Magazine   covers. He has also created many other ads and illustrations such as the Swan   for Swan Soap. His work is now part of Americana.  

Albert  Staehle created the first Smokey Bear posters  as a donation to the  U.S. Forestry Department. The first was in 1944. There were several  others from 1944 to 1946.