Who is the world's best-known detective?

Vancouver Public Library advertisement, Main and Commercial SkyTrain station, Vancouver, BC

Sherlock Holmes is probably the most filmed detective ever. With the current Cumberbatch, Downy, and Miller versions of Homes in circulation, it is not surprising that a pipe is featured in the advertisement. (Holmes was known to smoke a pipe while keeping his tobacco in a Persian slipper.)

But Sherlock Holmes is not the only pipe smoking detective.  Morse's first boss, Detective Inspector Thursday, smokes a pipe, along with Commissaire Maigret.

But for many people Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous creation will be the one that springs to mind. And so the pipe and phrase, "Super Sleuth" will evoke Sherlock Holmes for most SkyTrain riders.