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How David Bennett found Waldo in a menswear store

The creator of Where's Waldo reveals the origin story of the popular children's book series.
David Bennett, the creator of Where's Wally (Waldo), discusses the origins of the classic children's book series. (Where's Waldo/Facebook)

Many of us grew up looking for Waldo in the pages of the popular book series, Where's Waldo?, but the story of how creator David Bennett found the artist behind Waldo — then known as Wally — is an interesting tale in itself.

In 1985, Bennett was shopping for a tie and, at the back of a menswear store, he spotted it: a poster by artist Martin Handford. 

"There was so much to look at, far more interesting than the clothes they had on sale there!" Bennett remembers.

With some determined detective work, Bennett tracked down Handford and the two came up with the concept of Where's Wally and, well, the rest is history. Hear the full origin story of Where's Waldo on today's episode.

An original sketch of Waldo from the illustrator Martin Handford. (David “Ben” Bennett )

— Produced by Vanessa Nigro and Beza