Why did popeye the sailor man debut?

Elzie Crisler Segar introduced the character of Popeye to his daily cartoon strip _Thimble Theatre_. The character went onto star in various animated cartoons produced by Fleischer Studios and King Features Syndicate.

However, it was Fleischer Studio's short _Popeye the Sailor_ released on January 17, 1933, when _Popeye The Sailor Man_ made his big debut.