<human>: I'd like to learn about the history of the cowboy.
<bot>: The cowboy is an iconic figure in American culture, and has been a part of our national identity since the 19th century. He was born out of necessity when cattle drives became popular during the westward expansion of the United States. Cowboys were hired by ranchers to protect their herds from predators and thieves, and they also provided services such as herding, branding, and driving cattle to market. As more people moved into the western territories, the need for cowboys increased, and so did their wages. By the mid-1800s, cowboys had become an integral part of the American West and its economy.