Nancy Drew fun facts

Nancy Drew was created by a man, Edward Stratemeyer, who died only two weeks after the series debut in 1930.

One of the possible names for Nancy Drew was Stella Strong.

More than 500 Nancy Drew books have been published since 1930 — including the classic series, the continuation of the classic series in paperback, spin-offs, special editions, cookbooks and sleuth books.

Carolyn Keene is a pen name for various ghostwriters who have written the books over the years. The first Carolyn Keene was Mildred Wirt Benson, who wrote 23 of the first 30 Nancy Drew books.

From 1959 through 1978, the first 34 volumes in the series were revised and cut down from 25 chapters to just 20.

Nancy Drew was only 16 when the series debuted in 1930. It wasn't until the 1950s that her age was changed to 18.

There were four Nancy Drew movies in the 1930s: "Nancy Drew … Detective," 1938; "Nancy Drew, Reporter," 1939; "Nancy Drew, Troubleshooter," 1939; and "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase," 1939.

Nancy returned to the big screen in 2007's "Nancy Drew" starring Emma Roberts.

Nancy Drew made her television debut, along with The Hardy Boys, in 1978 with alternating Sunday night mysteries on ABC. Actress Pamela Sue Martin played Nancy Drew.

The Stratemeyer Syndicate switched publishers in 1979 from Grosset & Dunlap to Simon & Schuster, resulting in a lawsuit between the parties. Both publishers continue to publish Nancy Drew books today. The Stratemeyer Syndicate was sold to Simon & Schuster in 1984.

Besides blue, Nancy Drew's car has been yellow, green and maroon.

In the early books, Nancy often wore glamorous heels and fashionable frocks while chasing suspects, climbing ladders and sleuthing for "ghosts" in secret passageways.

Nancy's best friends, Bess Marvin and George Fayne, are cousins.

There are more than 20 Nancy Drew computer games.

Source: Nancy Drew consultant, Jennifer Fisher, www.nancydrewsleuth.com