The nearest analogy to the addictive power of television and the transformation of values that is wrought in the life of the heavy user is probably heroin.
~ Terence McKenna, Food of the Gods
Welcome to a new series about the Mental Environment within which we thrive. This series is meant as a refresher for those who have been around long enough to recognize most of these and as an education for those of us who haven't. It is amazing to discover just how long some of these mascots have been around and how well many of them have withstood the test of time.
Branding an identity with a mascot is nothing new. In fact, efforts to identify your product with an instantly recognizable symbol have been around since ink hit paper. Some of these were around before most households had FM radios to say nothing of television.
Indeed, we have all grown up with these characters and whether we like it or not, some are even more recognizable than the face of our current president (hard to believe, but absolutely true) and will be remembered long after he isn't.
CACHE IS NOT AT THE ABOVE COORDINATES
Solve AB°CD.EFG HI°JK.LMN by determining which of the mascots the clues refer to. For those clues where no specific date or number is asked for, use the last digit of the year they were introduced.
A: This guy lived a double life as a Comic Book Superhero.
B: This phonic mascot had rivals in the market by the name of Happy and Pee-Wee
C: Based on an actor-songwriter with an equally piscine name
D: Number 5 on Fanpop's Top 10 Creepiest Mascots of all time along with the King, Ronald... and The Noid which came in at number what.
E: This mascots creator didn't believe in Co-operation which resulted in the creation of a rival mascot.
F: Company represented by this mascot in embroiled in a lawsuit brought by a number of families that were victims of company sponsored militia (last digit of total number)
G: When did this mascot first become a plush toy and then 20 years later become a deputy spokes-mascot for MDA.
H: I have a cache by the same name (and species) as this mascot's companion.
I: Modeled after the daughter of a cartoonist who later became a mystery writer.
J: Starred in RKO's Little Men in what year.
K: This mascot first appeared with a little too much showing and has been updated to be more PC. The original artwork was destroyed in a fire, this version appeared 6 years later.
L: Product of this mascot turned 100 in 2007, how old was the model for the mascot when created.
M: Created as the result of a $5 prize drawing contest.
N: Known for assailing another character, Opie, he first appeared this year as a cartoon character, one year after he was introduced.
Sorry, Charlie!
Jura lbh ner fgnaqvat ng tebhaq mreb, tb sbhe cbfgf qbjauvyy. Guvf vf gur gehr tebhaq mreb.