Gremlin | Cryptid+BreezeWiki

Gremlins are said to be small reptilian or house elf like creatures whose sole purpose is to destroy technology and electronics from planes and helicopters to computers and toasters. They are known to have long sharp claws used for slicing through soft rubber tubing and a large mouth with many needle like teeth to bite through copper wiring and solid metal. They also have large ears in order to hear any humans that are coming into the room and are only a few inches tall, that way the Gremlin can quickly hide before being seen.

Origin of the Gremlin

The origin of the Gremlin comes from WW2 when pilots would report their planes having technical problems for no apparent reason that could be found. These reports came both from the German and American sides and even in the Japanese planes.

After the pilots would land they would check on the engine and wiring of the plane and would find small bite marks on their wires and 3 clawed oily footprints in grease and dust in the plane. Soon the Gremlins would have moved away from just planes and onto different technology, it not mattering how old or new. Gremlins are also said to be responsible for missing items such as hammers or wrenches and are said to also be the cause of deadly computer viruses.

Why?

It seems because Gremlins have been known to destroy machinery on both sides of WW2 that they may just be destroying technology to irritate or annoy humans. This is similar to tales of the fairy Boggart from English mythology. It could be possible that Gremlins are actually nature spirits who destroy technology as they see it as inferior or threatening to the natural world. This explanation is not without reason as it was about this time that pollution and nuclear weapons did begin to affect the earth's health. It could be that they are trying to protect the earth from man's industrial power.

Sightings

A man who says he was a Boeing B-17 pilot during WWII contends that many of the plane failures which occurred during that time period were due to the mischievous actions of little creatures. L.W., 92, says these little beings were capable of attaching themselves to the fuselage and withstanding high altitudes. “Oh they are real, alright. They’d climb inside the aircraft and hide in there, or hook up under the wings. I’m sure they were sabotaging most of the allies machinery.”

It may be possible that they try their best to destroy human technology in order to protect the earth.

Gremlins are floor greasers^ Watch your step^ Back up our battleskies^ - NARA - 535378

In Media

Gremlins and Gremlins 2 are famous comedy fantasy movies based upon the creatures.
A Gremlin simply called "the Gremlin" appears in some of the Looney tunes cartoons.
Gremlins can be found on many posters and fliers from WW2.
The famous Twilight Zone Episode Nightmare at 20,000 Feet involves a gremlin dismantling an airplane currently in flight.
Roald Dahl's book The Gremlins focuses on Gremlins.
In Power Rangers: Megaforce there's a monster called Gremlin and it's based on a cross between a gremlin and a flea.