when was rudolph the red-nosed reindeer made

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was originally a poem written by Robert L. May in 1939. It was later turned into a Christmas song in 1949 by Johnny Marks. The character Rudolph first appeared in a 1939 booklet and was popularized in 1949 when the song was released. The song became an instant Christmas classic and has been a part of the holiday season ever since. The story of Rudolph has also been adapted into other media, including an animated television special, a movie, and even a stage musical.