The Gnome is a Macy's original character. He appeared in the form of a giant balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from the late 1940's through the early 1950's.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The Gnome balloon was introduced to the Parade in 1947, and is famously known for being recycled from an upside-down Ice Cream Cone balloon. Much like many early balloons, it was constructed out of simple shapes, taking form as a happy-go-lucky elf sporting a yellow hat with a red star in the middle and a green jacket with yellow buttons.
Months after its debut in the 1947 Parade, the Gnome balloon would travel across the country in January 1948 to appear in that year's edition of the March of Dimes Parade in Los Angeles, California. Five other balloons including the Panda Bear, Ol' Man Pumpkin, Young Man on the Flying Trapeze, The Pirate, and The Comical Cop were inflated and floated down Wilshire Boulevard. The balloons were on loan to Warner Brothers for this appearance.
The balloon would make five consecutive appearances, and was retired after the 1951 Parade and sometime after that, the balloon was disposed of.
The balloon would later serve as an inspiration to the iconic novelty balloon trio known as Charlie, Kit & C.J.