Rubber Ducky’s date back to the 1800s. The first of its kind didn’t actually float, they were made solid and mainly used for teething. But, nowadays you can find the typical rubber duck in almost any child’s bath or pile of toys.
The first floating ducks were patented by Disney as they sold Donald and Donna rubber ducks to expand on their company and make use of the new toy. Peter Ganine is believed to be the first to produce the generic rubber ducks and sold over 50 million of them during his time.
In the early 1960s the rubber duck made its famous debut on Sesame Street: Ernie and his Rubber Duckie. Ernie sings a song with his fellow rubber duck in order to help make bath time more fun, “Rubber Duckie, you’re the one! You make bathtime lots of fun!”
Ernie's Rubber Ducky Song
In 2013 the rubber duck soared above other toys as it landed its spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame. The toys can now be seen as marketing tools, molded to represent celebrities or athletes, personalized, blown up bigger than a person for parades or floating down a river, and much more.
Rubber Duck Facts:
- Originated in late 1800s
- 2013: Toy Hall of Fame
- Largest duck collection = 5,631 unique ducks
- Largest floating duck in the world was 61 feet tall
- There are thousands of rubber ducks in the ocean
- In 1992, a crate containing 28,000 rubber ducks spilled into the ocean and ducks are still washing up on shore
- 1998 – Williamston Sunrise Rotary Club held the first duck race
Celebrate with a buddy and a bath, (a duck we mean). National Rubber Duck Day – I’m sure it was a staple in your bath time as a kid, carry the tradition on and celebrate the day
10 Famous People as Rubber Ducks
Custom Rubber Ducks
By: Amanda Overy, Marketing Intern