<Tr> <Th> Children </Th> <Td> Robbie (son in the Robbie the Reindeer films) </Td> </Tr> <P> Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer, popularly known as "Santa's ninth reindeer", is a fabled reindeer created by Robert Lewis May . Rudolph is usually depicted as the lead reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve, though he is a young buck who has only adolescent antlers and a glowing red nose . Though he receives scrutiny for it, the luminosity of his nose is so great that it illuminates the team's path through harsh winter weather . </P> <P> Rudolph first appeared in a 1939 booklet written by Robert L. May and published by Montgomery Ward, the department store . </P> <P> The story is owned by The Rudolph Company, LP and has been adapted in numerous forms including a popular song, the iconic 1964 television special and sequels, and a feature film and sequel . Character Arts, LLC manages the licensing for the Rudolph Company, LP . In many countries, Rudolph has become a figure of Christmas folklore . 2014 marked the 75th anniversary of the character and the 50th anniversary of the television special . A series of postage stamps featuring Rudolph was issued by the United States Postal Service on November 6, 2014 . </P>

When did rudolph the red nosed reindeer originate