Groening has said publicly that his teacher "Mr. Bailey" inspired Mr. Burns, but I'm not so sure. Mr. Bailey - Portland, Oregon Lincoln High School journalism teacher David Bailey, who is actually still teaching - has a bit of an evil old conservative attitude that could possibly be interpreted as a little bit Burns-esque. Just a little bit, though. Dave Bailey is no part evil industrialist. He was also quite young in the 1970s when Groening was his student.

I've seen a picture of Mr. Bailey from the 1970s. He looked just like Principal Skinner, and he's still a confirmed bachelor who loves his school more than anything else in the world. I'd be shocked if I found out that he didn't live with his mother back when Groening was one of his students.

There is no doubt in my mind that Principal Skinner is David Bailey.