The Inspector is a character from The Katzenjammer Kids comic strip. He is a friend of the Captain, and is recognized by his long gray beard.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
The Inspector first appeared in the 1929 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, alongside the strip's other four main characters. Throughout the parade, the balloon would not rise above ground level. Not even an extra dose of helium would give him the necessary boost. As a result, Macy’s Parade officials tore the balloon's whiskers in an attempt to stabilize the balloon.
After the 1929 Parade, the Inspector balloon was permanently retired from the Parade's line of march and was disposed of.
The Inspector balloon made a cameo in the 2016 Ghostbusters movie alongside many of the haunted vintage balloons from the parade with Pinocchio.