It all started with Palmer Cox

Canadian born Palmer Cox, lived in California and New York back in the last part of the 19th century turning out books of little comic characters named Brownies. He based them on folk legend and they took on quite a life of their own with him. Here he is in the above picture at his desk. You can see on the wall, behind Mr. Cox, a large picture of the front cover of his first Brownie book. I have a reprint of this book that was put out by Dover in the 1960's.
I was introduced to the Brownie characters as a kid by my mom who in turn read them at her grandmas in old magazines. That would be the magazine for kids called St Nicholas. Most people have never heard of the Brownies today but they are irresistable with their round pauncy bodies, long spindly limbs and mischievious expressions.