The name “James Bond” was not intended to send shivers down the spine of anyone. Ian Fleming named the chief protagonist of his first novel after the author of a guide of birds, wanting him to be a dull, uninteresting man who just happened to fall in amongst interesting events. As for inspiration, Fleming certainly had enough interesting experiences during his wartime duties in the Admiralty, but he only started the book seven years after, when he was getting ready to propose to his girlfriend.

On this day, April 13, in 1953, Fleming’s first novel about a British spy codenamed “007” went on sale in the UK. Fleming designed the cover himself, but the book practically sold itself. The initial run sold out within a month; two subsequent runs sold out quickly also.

In the U.S., the book failed to get much traction. Two publishers passed on it, and Macmillan Publishing Co, who picked it up, managed to sell only 4,000 copies. Fleming did secure an adaptation deal with CBS for one episode on its Climax! show. It did reasonably well, considering last-minute cuts to bring it to the time format eviscerated most of its soul.  A 1967 film did little better, but a revival 40 years later, with a handsome newcomer named Daniel Craig in the lead part, proved a great success.