#161 Dr. Seuss

In "Becoming Dr. Seuss," author Brian J. Jones chronicles the life of Theodor Geisel, known to the world as Dr. Seuss, whose whimsical books like "The Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham" revolutionized children's literature. Geisel, a complex man with a rigorous work ethic, started his career in advertising and reluctantly ventured into children's books—a move prompted by a contract that didn't prohibit it. Despite early rejections, his persistence paid off with "The Cat in the Hat," enabling him to eventually write full-time. He believed in the power of reading for fun, striving to create books that didn't talk down to kids. His mother's influence on his rhythm and his father's discipline in pursuit of excellence profoundly shaped his creative approach. Geisel's personal life, marked by the tragic suicide of his wife Helen following his affair with Audrey Stone Diamond, whom he subsequently married, adds a somber note to his otherwise celebrated career. Despite his insecurities and desire for serious artistic recognition, Dr. Seuss's legacy endures as a beloved icon who introduced generations to the joy of reading.

• Introduction of Founders Postscript Feed:

  • David announces a new podcast feed called Founders Postscript, which includes books not covered on the main Founders podcast.
  • The feed is exclusive to subscribers of the annual plan and is an added benefit to incentivize the switch from monthly to annual subscriptions.

• Access and Support Information:

  • Existing annual plan subscribers can email David for access to the new feed.
  • Those switching to the annual plan will be contacted by David for access.
  • David emphasizes that the switch is optional, but it is the best way to support Founders.

• Content and Communication:

  • David plans to add a couple of books to the feed each month.
  • He encourages listeners with questions to reach out via email.

Before jumping into today's episode as a way to incentivize people to switch to the annual plan, I actually have another podcast feed that I'm calling founders postscript.

This quote introduces the new podcast feed, Founders Postscript, which serves as an incentive for listeners to subscribe to the annual plan.

It does not cost any additional money. I am not selling it. I am merely using it as an added benefit.

David clarifies that the new feed is not an additional cost but an added benefit for annual subscribers.

It's in my interest to incentivize you to do so. And if I can give you a little bit of extra work for doing so, I think that's a good trade.

David acknowledges his interest in encouraging listeners to support the podcast through the annual plan and believes the extra content is a fair trade-off.

• Dr. Seuss's Influence and Work:

  • Dr. Seuss is recognized as a classic American icon whose work has greatly influenced childhoods.
  • His books combine whimsical illustrations and simple rhymes to create memorable characters.
  • Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) had a radical side, including a career in advertising and political cartooning, which influenced his books.

• Geisel's Mission and Standards:

  • Geisel was dedicated to promoting reading and empathy through his books.
  • He maintained a rigorous standard of perfection and took his role as a children's writer seriously.
  • His books, like "Green Eggs and Ham," made reading enjoyable for children while teaching them valuable lessons.

• Biography "Becoming Dr. Seuss":

  • David discusses the book "Becoming Dr. Seuss" by Brian J. Jones, which explores Geisel's life and work.
  • The book reveals lesser-known aspects of Geisel's life, including his reluctance to become Dr. Seuss and his workaholic nature.

• Book Recommendations and Discoveries:

  • David recommends Brian J. Jones's biography of George Lucas and shares that a listener introduced him to "Becoming Dr. Seuss."

Dr. Seuss is a classic American icon, whimsical and wonderful. His work has defined our childhoods and the childhoods of our own children.

This quote highlights Dr. Seuss's impact on multiple generations through his iconic books and characters.

He introduced generations to the wonders of reading while teaching young people about empathy and how to treat others well.

The quote captures Geisel's mission to foster a love for reading and instill empathy in children through his stories.

Ted later credited his mother for the rhythms in which I write and the urgency with which I do it.

David quotes Geisel crediting his mother for influencing his writing style and work ethic, emphasizing the formative impact of his upbringing.

• Mother's Influence:

  • Nettie Geisel, Ted's mother, influenced his sense of rhythm and urgency in writing.
  • She used to sing pie flavors to Ted, which he later credited as an influence on his writing style.

• Father's Influence:

  • Ted's father, referred to as TR, influenced his sense of discipline and commitment to excellence.
  • TR's dedication to marksmanship and perfection inspired Ted's approach to his work.

• Reading and Books in the Household:

  • Ted's parents encouraged a love for reading, leaving books around the house for him to discover.
  • Ted believed that having books readily available was key to fostering a child's interest in reading.

• Impact of Prohibition on the Family:

  • The Geisel family faced adversity when Prohibition affected their brewery business.
  • TR's reaction to the loss of the business taught Ted about handling challenges and cynicism.

Ted is a workaholic, as we'll see later on. He fell into the career of Dr. Seuss rather reluctantly.

David points out Geisel's workaholic tendencies and his initial reluctance to embrace his career as Dr. Seuss.

Ted's high school art, while competent, would give very little indication of the unique and whimsical style to come.

The quote reflects on Geisel's early artistic efforts, which were unremarkable compared to his later iconic style.

You will never be sorry for anything you never said.

David shares advice from Ted's father, emphasizing the value of measured speech and the influence of such advice on Ted's character.

• Ted's High School Experience:

  • Ted was self-taught and disinterested in formal education, finding school a challenge to endure.
  • He was passionate about drawing and contributed cartoons to the high school newspaper.

• Artistic Development:

  • Ted's artistic style was initially influenced by comic strips rather than formal instruction.
  • His work evolved over time, showing little indication of his future unique style.

• Family Hardship and Prohibition:

  • The Geisel family's brewery business was shut down due to Prohibition, impacting Ted's father and the family's livelihood.
  • Ted's father's reaction to the loss of the business left a lasting impression on Ted.

For Ted, school was something to be endured, not mastered.

This quote summarizes Ted's attitude toward formal education, which was not a primary source of his learning or interest.

His mother let him draw on the walls. She encouraged him to pursue things he was interested in.

David shares how Ted's mother supported his interests, which played a role in his development as an artist and writer.

On January 17, 1920, prohibition officially went into effect... That was it for Springfield Breweries.

David recounts the impact of Prohibition on the Geisel family, marking a significant turning point in their lives and Ted's future.

• Tr's family experienced the decline of their brewery business, leading to its liquidation.
• Despite financial difficulties, it was crucial for the family to provide Ted with a college education.
• Ted attended Dartmouth College, marking the start of his unexpected career journey.

"For more than a year, Tr would mourn the loss of the industry he had grown up in. His father was so Tr's father, Ted's grandfather, was also in the business. He actually sold two breweries and then started investing in real estate as well."

The quote highlights the family's transition from the brewery industry to real estate, reflecting the impact of industrial changes on family businesses and the importance of adaptability.

• Ted discovered his love for cartooning and humor while working for the college humor magazine, Jack O Lantern.
• Despite his talent, Ted initially did not consider a career as a children's author or cartoonist.

"And it's something he loved to do, and yet it's sitting there right in front of your face."

This quote underscores the idea that sometimes one's true passion can be overlooked, even when it is a significant part of their life and interests.

• Ted graduated from Dartmouth with an English degree but had no clear career path.
• He pursued a doctorate in English at Oxford, a subject he disliked, due to uncertainty about his future.

"On June 23, 1925, Ted graduated from Dartmouth. Unlike many of his classmates, Ted wasn't entirely certain what to do next."

The quote reflects the common post-graduation uncertainty and the societal expectation to follow a traditional career path, even when it does not align with personal interests.

• Helen, Ted's future wife, recognized his talent for drawing and encouraged him to pursue it as a career.
• Helen's advice led Ted to abandon his pursuit of an English doctorate and focus on cartooning.

"You're crazy to be a professor, she told Ted flatly. What you really want to do is draw."

This quote is a pivotal moment in Ted's life, as Helen's direct advice challenges him to reassess his career aspirations and embrace his artistic talents.

• After leaving Oxford, Ted faced financial challenges and a lack of clear direction.
• His persistence in submitting cartoons and writing to publishers eventually led to his first success.

"Despite his darkening spirits, his persistence paid off. In early summer, an editor of the Saturday Evening Post purchased one of his cartoons."

The quote demonstrates the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity and uncertainty, a theme common in the stories of many successful individuals.

• Ted's career in advertising began unexpectedly with a cartoon featuring Flit insecticide.
• His work in advertising provided financial stability and allowed him to continue cartooning and writing.

"A cartoon appeared in the January 14, 1928, issue of Judge that Ted would rightly say, changed my whole life."

This quote marks a significant turning point in Ted's career, illustrating how a single opportunity can alter one's professional trajectory.

• Ted learned that to make a substantial income in publishing, he needed to be both the writer and the illustrator of his books.
• This realization led him to write his own books, ultimately shaping his future as Dr. Seuss.

"It was at this point, Ted later explained, that he came to realize there was no sense in just illustrating books."

The quote captures Ted's strategic decision to expand his role in the publishing process, highlighting the financial and creative benefits of being a writer-illustrator.

• Ted's contract with Standard Oil restricted many activities but allowed him to write and illustrate children's books.
• He entered the children's book market due to contractual allowances rather than a particular affinity for the genre.

"I would like to say I went into children's book work because of my great understanding of children, Ted said. In truth, I went in because it wasn't excluded by my s

The quote reveals the pragmatic reasons behind Ted's choice to write children's books, offering insight into how external factors can influence creative career decisions.

• Dr. Seuss, the most successful children's author, stumbled into his career unintentionally.
• His first book faced 27 rejections, which caused him great distress.
• Publishers rejected his work because it was unlike anything on the market, which they believed meant it wouldn't sell.
• Ted was on the brink of giving up, planning to burn his manuscript after one last rejection.
• A chance encounter with Mike McClintock, a Dartmouth acquaintance who had just become a juvenile book editor, changed his fate.
• Mike introduced Ted to James Henle of Vanguard Press, which had a philosophy of publishing 'unpublishable' books.
• The meeting with Vanguard Press led to a swift contract signing within 20 minutes.

"He ran into Mike McClintock, a fellow darkmouth man, who asked him what he was carrying oh, just a book no one will publish. Ted told him, I'm lucky at home to burn. Mike told Ted he just started a job as a juvenile book editor for a Vanguard Press and asked Ted if he'd like to come inside to show his book to the vanguard president, James Heenle."

This quote illustrates how a serendipitous meeting led to Dr. Seuss's first publishing opportunity, emphasizing the role of luck and networking in his success.

• Dr. Seuss's journey is marked by patience and persistence, exemplified by his refusal to quit despite numerous rejections.
• His first book, "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street," took years to sell through its initial print run.
• The initial sales and royalties were modest, not enough to support him full time.
• Dr. Seuss didn't consider writing for children as a step forward; he viewed it as literary slumming.
• Despite his reservations, he was at the forefront of creating a new generation of children's literature that avoided moral tales and fairy tales.
• It took nearly two decades before Dr. Seuss could support himself full-time as a children's author with the success of "The Cat in the Hat."

"The story of Dr. Seuss's career is one of patients. And the note I left myself here is he could have quit here. There's so many times where Ted just deciding, hey, I'm going to give up."

This quote highlights the crucial role of persistence in Dr. Seuss's career, suggesting that determination is a significant factor separating successful individuals from the rest.

• During World War II, Dr. Seuss was too old to join the army but contributed by making propaganda films in California.
• Working under Frank Capra, an acclaimed director, was a pivotal learning experience for Dr. Seuss.
• Capra taught Dr. Seuss the art of storytelling, particularly the importance of conciseness and advancing the narrative.
• This experience with Capra influenced Dr. Seuss's future writing and artistic style, teaching him to distill ideas and pair words with visual images effectively.

"But Capra taught me conciseness, said Ted. I learned a lot about the juxtaposition of words and visual images."

This quote reveals how Frank Capra's mentorship in storytelling techniques profoundly impacted Dr. Seuss's approach to writing and illustrating, emphasizing the value of brevity and clarity in communication.

• After the war, Dr. Seuss was uncertain about his career path at the age of 41.
• He considered quitting children's books to become a film writer, director, and editor, especially after the success of "Hitler Lives," which was based on his work.
• Dr. Seuss's Hollywood experience was successful, but he disliked the lack of control and the collaborative nature of the film industry.
• He contemplated focusing on children's books full-time, seeking a modest income to support his passion.

"Dr. Seuss was home from the war and very uncertain about what to do next. He is 41 years old, and he's still not successful."

This quote captures the crossroads Dr. Seuss faced post-war, highlighting the uncertainty and the late blooming of his career as a children's author.

• Dr. Seuss believed that writing for children allowed authors to capture a sense of humor, wonder, and love of nonsense that is often lost in adulthood.
• He criticized adults for losing their capacity for 'healthy, silly, friendly laughter' and for becoming 'obsolete children.'
• Dr. Seuss's approach to children's literature was to avoid the pitfalls of traditional children's books and instead focus on innovation and creativity.

"There's something we get when we write for the young that we can never hope to get in writing for ancients."

This quote expresses Dr. Seuss's conviction that writing for children retains a purity and playfulness that writing for adults lacks, demonstrating his commitment to the genre.

• Despite publishing nine books, Dr. Seuss was not yet making a living from them.
• He met with his agent, Phyllis Jackson, who convinced him of the potential in the children's book market post-war.
• Dr. Seuss desired to earn enough to work from his studio in San Diego, writing children's books without the distractions of other careers.
• Jackson's encouragement and the changing market conditions helped Dr. Seuss commit to children's literature as his primary profession.

"Ted settled into a seat across from Jackson and went into his spiel. It had been seven years since I gave up being a soldier. Now I'd like to give up movies and advertising and anything that means dueling with vice presidents and committees."

This quote shows Dr. Seuss's determination to pursue his passion for children's literature full-time and the critical role his agent played in supporting this decision.

• The transformative journey of Dr. Seuss is likened to that of Steve Jobs in their respective biographies, emphasizing the process of becoming rather than being born a success.
• Dr. Seuss, born as Ted, evolved over multiple decades, highlighting the significance of personal growth and transformation in achieving success.
• The book "Becoming Dr. Seuss" by Brian J. Jones is recommended for its detailed account of Ted's transformation into Dr. Seuss.

"He's not born Dr. Seuss. He had multiple decades of transforming himself into it. That's why I love the title becoming Dr. Seuss."

The quote underscores the importance of recognizing the effort and time it took for Ted to evolve into the iconic Dr. Seuss.

• Ted, after publishing nine books, needed a blockbuster to gain financial stability and recognition.
• Phyllis Jackson advised Ted that a breakout hit would lead to increased royalties and interest in his back catalog.
• The "rising tide lifts all boats" phenomenon is exemplified by the success of "The Cat in the Hat," which propelled Dr. Seuss's career.

"What he really needed was a blockbuster, a book that sold hundreds of thousands of copies and was popular enough to send readers looking through his entire work."

This quote highlights the career advice given to Ted, emphasizing the need for a highly successful book to boost his entire body of work.

• At the age of 50, Ted reflected on his life with satisfaction, noting his marriage and professional success.
• Despite being a well-known children's author, Ted aspired to write children's books full time, which he had not yet achieved.

"At 50, Ted turned 50 years old. Looking back over his half century, Ted was generally pleased."

This quote provides insight into Ted's personal and professional contentment at a milestone age, while still harboring aspirations for his career.

• Ted maintained a regular work schedule, emphasizing the importance of discipline even when lacking inspiration.
• His work ethic is compared to that of George Lucas during the writing of Star Wars, focusing on dedication and consistency.

"For me, success means doing work that you love, regardless of how much you make. I go into my office almost every day and give it 8 hours, though every day isn't productive."

The quote conveys Ted's definition of success and his disciplined approach to work, which involves committing time to his craft daily.

• Ted was challenged to write a captivating book for first graders using a limited vocabulary of 225 words or less.
• "The Cat in the Hat" was originally written for schools, but became more successful in bookstores through a publishing deal with Random House.

"Could Ted write a story for first graders that they couldn't put down using a vocabulary of 225 words or less?"

This quote poses the challenge Ted faced in creating an engaging and accessible book for young readers with a restricted vocabulary.

• Dr. Seuss, or Ted, identified as a misfit and embraced a philosophy that opposed treating children as unintelligent.
• He believed in creating imaginative stories that captivated young audiences, rather than adhering to the simplistic narratives of the time.
• Ted's subversiveness was a response to the conventional and serious approach to life and literature he observed at Oxford.

"I've always had a mistrust of adults. And one reason I dropped out of Oxford was what I thought was, I thought they were taking life too damn seriously, concentrating too much on nonessentials."

The quote reflects Ted's rebellious and nonconformist attitude towards adults and traditional education, which influenced his writing style.

• Ted's professional life flourished with the creation of his own imprint under Random House, though the partnership eventually dissolved due to creative differences.
• Personal life took a tragic turn when Ted's wife, Helen, who was suffering from health issues, discovered his affair and subsequently took her own life.
• Ted quickly remarried Audrey, the woman he had an affair with, causing friction within his social circle.

"Helen was dead at the age of 69. Before going to bed the night before, she had downed a handful of barbiturates."

This quote describes the tragic end of Ted's wife, Helen, and the personal crisis that followed, marking a significant and dark event in Ted's life.

• Ted's imprint, Beginner Books, was known for its high standards, which Ted enforced by limiting the number of books published per year.
• Despite his success, Ted struggled with feelings of inadequacy and a desire for serious artistic recognition, which overshadowed his achievements in the eyes of the public.
• Ted's last book, "Oh, the Places You'll Go," was completed in his eighties, demonstrating his lifelong dedication to writing and spreading joy through reading.

"Dr. Seuss had taken his own unique blend of discipline and coordinated chaos to create something entirely new, books that not only helped kids read, but were also books they liked to read and wanted to read."

This quote encapsulates Ted's philosophy as Dr. Seuss: to make reading an enjoyable experience for children, which became his enduring legacy.