Figure:Charlie Brown

United Features Syndicate, Inc., first distributed Charles M. Schulz's comic strip "Li'l Folks" under the new name "Peanuts" in 1950. Beginning with just seven newspapers, distribution leapt to 35 within a year. By 1958 its distribution had soared to 355 U.S. and 40 international newspapers. Peanuts featured children of distinct personality types struggling through surprisingly adult situations, which explains its popularity among adults. First Kodak, then other manufacturers used Peanuts characters to sell their products. Peanuts became one of the most heavily licensed comic strips in history. Its characters appeared as toys, stuffed animals, greeting cards, and many other consumer products. Snoopy even became the mascot for a major life-insurance company. By some estimates, Peanuts paraphernalia generated as much as $50 million a year by the end of the 1960s.