Paul Bunyan is a
giant lumberjack in
American folklore. His exploits revolve around the
tall tales of his superhuman labors, and he is customarily accompanied by Babe the Blue Ox. The character originated in the
oral tradition of
North American loggers, and was later popularized by freelance writer William B. Laughead (1882–1958) in a 1916 promotional pamphlet for the Red River Lumber Company. He has been the subject of various literary compositions, musical pieces, commercial works, and theatrical productions. His likeness is displayed in several statues across North America.