Since it was first introuduced over a hundred years ago in the book The Wonderful Wizard of OZ.L.Frank Baum's world of Oz has becone one of the most beloved creations in children's literature and film.But who was the creator? Born in 1856 in upstate New york,Baum was a chassic "late bloomer"who tried acting ,selling and editing.Finally,in his late 30s,he took the advice of his mother-in-law,suffragist leader Matilda Geage,and Truned his attention to selling the stories he'd been telling to his sons and their frends.After a few books were published with varying success.The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was released in 1900.It quickly became a bestseller and has remained so ever since. When Oz was transformed into a "traveling musical extravaganza"that earned raves across America,Baum became rich and famous for the first timew in his life,inspiring him to embark on myriad theatrical ventures theat almost bankrupted this family on several occasions.Fourtnately.wife maud's business acumen saved the day,leavi
