Cartoon character Popeye made his debut on January 17, 1929 in a comic strip called Thimble Theatre. He was a 34-year-old sailor who ate spinach to gain strength. The strip, originally revolving around Olive Oyl, was later re-christened 'Popeye' due to the character's popularity. He was the first cartoon character to get his own statue in Texas in 1937.