Rubber Ducks
Rubber ducks. With their bright color, smooth texture, and (for some) squeaky or quacky sounds are loved by many. Though, how did a rubber exist and why do we buy them?
Rubber toys first appeared in the late 1800s, when manufacturers made use of Charles Goodyear’s process for rendering rubber into malleable material. The first rubber ducks didn’t even float: they were cast solid and intended as chew toys. In the 1940’s Sculptor Peter Ganine created a sculpture of a duck, then patented it and reproduced it as a floating toy, of which over 50,000,000 were sold. These ducks developed into the iconic floating yellow figure with bright orange bill we recognize today.
History of Rubber Ducks
For many decades, most duck figures have been made of vinyl, but we still call them rubber ducks. Rubber ducks naturally inspire water play that develops muscle strength and coordination. With their bright color, smooth texture, and (for some) squeaky or quacky sounds, rubber ducks sharpen toddlers’ senses. Their presence in the bathtub soothes youngsters’ fears of water and water immersion and makes good clean fun of the routine hygiene they’re learning.
Rubber ducks have been recognized as the quintessential bathtub toy since 1970 when Ernie, the cheerful orange Muppet on Sesame Street, first sang the catchy ditty “Rubber Duckie” to his best bath buddy.” The song rose to number 16 on Billboard’s chart of hit tunes and, decades later, kids still sing the praises of their water play pals.
Adults, too, appreciate rubber ducks. Collectors proudly display variations of the classic form that proclaim their affinity to colleges, careers, sports, celebrities, and holidays. Aficionados adorn their homes with rubber duck–themed shower curtains, towels, bathrobes, nightlights, and wallpaper. “Rubber Duckie, you’re the one,” indeed!
Why Are Rubber Ducks Being Bought?
Some people buy rubber ducks for the collection. The 2007 Guinness World Record for World’s Largest Rubber Duck Collection stood at 1,439 different rubber ducks, and was awarded to Charlotte Lee. Famous people that are known to collect rubber ducks include Zooey Deschanel, Liam Neeson and David Bowie.
While other people are buy ducks for their young children. Children absolutely love rubber ducks during their warm and bubbly bubble bath. What makes a rubber duck more appealing is when you squeeze the duck it inhales, then once you let it go, it exhales with a quack.