How Graphic T-Shirts Made Their First Documented Appearance in ‘The Wizard of Oz’

Lori Dorn
September 18, 2025

Alex Rabinowitz of Pop Culture Brain explained how the oft-resurgent fashion trend of graphic t-shirts first made their first documented appearance in 1939 during a ten second clip from the classic movie The Wizard of Oz. In this scene, workers are repairing the scarecrow after a flying monkey attack.

The Wizard of Oz basically invented a very common piece of modern clothing.

Thanks Chip Beale!

Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.