Did you know the beloved rubber ducky we all know today started making waves way back in the late 1800s? It all began with Charles Goodyear, an American chemist who, while perfecting vulcanized rubber (yes, the same stuff that makes tires), created a flexible, waterproof material. Though originally crafted for more industrial purposes, rubber toys quickly became a delightful side effect—and we’ve been splashing around with them ever since!
The Early Days: Heavy Ducks that Didn't Quite Float
The first rubber ducks weren’t the light, bouncy bath companions we know today. In fact, they were heavy, solid chew toys for both babies and dogs! Floating wasn’t their forte, but they found a home on dry land, even if they weren’t so forgiving on little teeth.
Making Bath Time Fun in the 1930s
By the 1930s, inventors started to see the potential of rubber ducks as more than just chew toys. In 1931, Eleanor Shannahan filed a patent for a duck toy designed to float and spray jets of water—perfect for pranks! This clever duck could hover above or below the water’s surface, shooting fine streams of water to surprise an unsuspecting bath-mate. Not long after, in 1938, Disney teamed up with Seiberling Latex Products to create bath toys featuring Donald and Donna Duck (soon to become Daisy Duck!), adding some fun characters to the tub.
The Duck That Quacked Around the World
Rubber ducks really began to rule bath time in 1947 when sculptor Peter Ganine patented a duck toy made of bright yellow vinyl, complete with the now-iconic “squeak.” These ducks were an instant hit and sold by the thousands. Their fame skyrocketed even further in 1970 with the release of "Rubber Duckie" on Sesame Street, sung by Ernie himself. The song was a major success, even making it to the top of the Billboard Charts in 1971!
Rubber Ducks Today: A Quirky Collectible
Today, rubber ducks come in countless colors and themes, from classic yellow to ducks dressed as Romans, Vikings, and just about anything you can imagine. Whether you're a kid or a kid-at-heart, there's a rubber duck for everyone!
And here at Event Hire Warwickshire, we can bring a splash of rubber duck nostalgia to your event! You can view our game here.
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