SpongeBob and Squidward, Homer Simpson and Ned Flanders, and Mr. Turner and the Dinklebergs are all perfect examples of one-sided neighborly animosity. But one iconic example dates back 75 years, involving a small boy and his elderly neighbor. Do you know who that was?

Hank Ketcham created, wrote, and illustrated the gag cartoon series Dennis the Menace, which debuted on March 12, 1951, in just 16 newspapers. The series continues to be published today, featured in over 1,000 newspapers in 48 countries and it is translated into 19 languages. This hilarious comic is featured in a single panel every weekday, and has a full strip every Sunday.

Set in a peaceful suburban middle class neighborhood of Wichita, Kansas, little Dennis Mitchell is anything but peaceful. This precocious but lovable five-year-old, with his famous blond cowlick and penchant for mischief, is constantly causing trouble. Teachers, librarians, department store Christmas Santas, barbers, and the local post office workers aren’t safe from this adorable little terror. Unfortunately, the person who suffers the bulk of Dennis’ well-meaning attention is his neighbor, Mr. Wilson.

This cranky, cantankerous, retired man is, according to Dennis, his best adult friend. However, for Mr. Wilson, all Dennis does is annoy, interrupt, disturb, and damage both himself and his property. While Dennis’ pranks drive him crazy, Dennis has also done several heartwarming things for him, such as leaving him his dog and cat so he wouldn’t be lonely on Father’s Day. As much as Mr. Wilson can’t stand Dennis, his wife simply adores him and dotes on him constantly. Despite all the crazy antics Mr. Wilson has to suffer through, at the end of the day, Dennis has a special place in his heart too.

The inspiration for Dennis the Menace, actually came from Ketcham’s personal experiences with his son. One evening, after refusing to take a nap, his son somehow managed to mess up his entire room. Ketcham’s then-wife ran in and exclaimed “Your son is a menace!” and thus the legend was born. In fact, the entire Mitchell family is modeled after Ketcham’s own family.

It didn’t take long for Ketcham’s creation to foster interest in other forms of media. There have been multiple Dennis the Menace comic series and specials, dating back to the Pine Publishing series in 1953. Fawcett Publications started their 70-issue ongoing series in 1958, followed by a 135-issue run from Hallden that began in ’59. Fawcett had a 119-issue series that started in ’70, and a handful of other publishers, including Marvel, have sold Dennis the Menace comics over the years.

The first Dennis the Menace TV show ran for four seasons from ’59 to ’63, starring Jay North as Dennis, Gloria Henry and Herbert Anderson as his parents, and Joseph Kearns as Mr. Wilson. An animated series ran from ’86 to ’88, pumping out 78 episodes over two seasons. The comic strip came to life on film in 1993, starring Mason Gamble, and in a brilliant casting choice, Walter Matthau played Mr. Wilson. There have been a few direct to video style movies since then.