Bruce Shanks

Bruce McKinley Shanks (January 29, 1908 – April 12, 1980)[1] was an American editorial cartoonist who worked for the Buffalo Evening News during the middle of the 20th century.

From 1924 to 1927, he attended Lafayette High School, where he was taught by art instructor Elizabeth Weiffenbach, who later (1936-1939) also influenced the style of science-fiction cover artist Kelly Freas.

Shanks began his employment with the Buffalo Evening News as a copy boy.

One character created by Shanks was Olaf Fub, a name derived from "Buffalo" spelled backward.

Shanks' cartoons were widely distributed by syndicators throughout the U.S. and the world at the height of his career, so he may have contributed to the establishment of the placeholder.