Pee-wee Harris first appeared in 1915 as a supporting character in Fitzhugh's series of novels about the Boy Scouts of "Troop 1, Bridgeboro, NJ".

He is almost always wearing one of his many Scout uniforms, and carries a compass, a pocketknife, a belt axe, and some food to appease his never-ending appetite.

In Pee-wee's case – one Al Gar Bloom, whose father ran a newsstand near Fitzhugh's studio in Hackensack, New Jersey.

When the Pee-wee Harris series began; Al was the natural choice as the Scout who would grace the cover of the first volume.

In April 1920, The book "Roy Blakely's Camp on Wheels" was serialized in Boys' Life magazine.

This project was begun by editor and writer, Alfred B. Stenzel, who was given the task of capturing the essence of Pee-Wee's character.

In the latest incarnations of the strip, relatively new characters named Sam, Chubb, and Carlos appear in supporting roles.

Responsibility for the strip has been handed down over the years, and previous artists include Manny Stallman and Frank Bolle.

On seldom occasions, Pee Wee would be shown wearing something that was not an authorized Scouting headgear, but germane to the story.