Gremlins are creatures from folklore who came into prominence during World War II, when Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots blamed the mischievous elf-sized beings for causing damage –if not outright sabotage-- to aircraft and other war-related machinery. 

 

It was British fighter ace Roald Dahl who introduced the concept to America.  He wrote a book, and later began development of an animated film about the troublesome gremlins.

 

It’s been said that gremlins eventually became morale builders during the war, as soldiers lightheartedly blamed minor mechanical problems on the tiny men and women, and not on each other.

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Fifinella, a female gremlin created by Dahl and designed by Walt Disney Productions, was used by the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) as their mascot.