Here's a breakdown of the history:
* Early Examples: While not exactly speech bubbles, ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs used word balloons. These were often shaped like scrolls or clouds to represent speech.
* 19th Century Precursors: In the 1800s, cartoonists and illustrators began to experiment with different ways to represent speech visually. They used things like flags, ribbons, and even thought bubbles that were closer to our modern understanding.
* Early 20th Century Development: The early 20th century saw the rise of comics and the development of more defined speech and thought bubbles. Artists like Rudolph Dirks, creator of "The Katzenjammer Kids," played a significant role in popularizing these elements.
* Modernization: By the mid-20th century, the speech bubble had become standardized and widely adopted in comics and cartoons. Artists like Will Eisner and Jack Kirby further refined its usage and symbolism.
So, while we can't point to a single individual as the inventor, it's the result of a collective effort by many artists and illustrators over several decades.