Of all the mythological creatures found within modern folklore, the dwarf is perhaps one of the most recognizable. What is about this creature that has caused it to become so long lived in our collective memories as well as widespread? Modern interpretations often pose the dwarf as a helpful if not sometimes disgruntled creature. Other times he is noted for his stoicism but also his greed. These modern tropes are often a far cry from ancient representations with dwarfs being the cause for sickness and nightmares. Whether he graces our gardens or stars on the big screen, dwarfs are immediately recognizable to almost all, but why?. Here we will delve into the depths of historical accounts and compare them to modern ideals in order to ascertain how and why dwarfs have withstood the test of time in form but changed in habit.