what year was rudolph the red nosed reindeer written

The story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was first published in a pamphlet called "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys" by Robert L. May in 1939. The story was inspired by the Great Depression and the isolation of individuals who were considered outcasts or different. The story became a Christmas classic and has been adapted into several television specials and movies over the years. The most famous adaptation is the 1964 stop-motion animated special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions.