Happy National Rubber Ducky Day! According to a 1973 Sesame Street calendar, Rubber Duckie’s Birthday is on January 13th. Therefore, around the country it’s National Rubber Ducky Day!
The titular song that Ernie sings to his yellow bath time buddy was written by American composer, lyricist, playwright and television writer Jeff Moss and arranged by American composer, songwriter, pianist, television writer and lyricist Joe Raposo. It was first heard by children watching an episode of Sesame Street on February 25, 1970.
The rubber ducky (also spelled duckie) has come a long way from his first concept as a chew toy for children. While the origin of the first rubber ducky is uncertain, many rubber molded toys came about when rubber manufacturing developed in the late 1800s. They had produced a variety of toys from dolls and various animal shapes, including the rubber duck.
On April 25, 1925, Landon Smart Lawrence of Yonkers, New York received the earliest patent for a rubber duck toy. However, it was not approved until May 8, 1928. It was issued Patent #1,668,785. Lawrence’s clever design weighted the toy so that when it tipped, it returned to an upright position. The sketch included with the patent was that of a duck.
During World Wars I and II, rubber was a valuable commodity. Rationing became mandatory, and by the 1940s with the advent of plastic, the rubber ducky began being produced in vinyl and plastic.
Russian-American sculptor Peter Ganine created many animal figures. One, a duck, he later designed and patented into a floating toy which closely resembles the rubber ducky we have become familiar with today.
Sales of the iconic yellow rubber ducky that we’ve come to know and love today soared in Great Britain in 2001. Why? A British Tabloid, The Sun, reported that Queen Elizabeth II had a rubber duck in her bathroom that wore an inflatable crown!
In 2013, the rubber ducky became a Toy Hall of Fame inductee. Founded in 1998, the Hall of Fame has only inducted fifty-two other toys.
FUN FACT:
Charlotte Lee (USA) is the Guinness World Record-holder for the largest collection of rubber ducks. Collecting since 1996, her vast assortment contains more than nine thousand duckies! She even told NBC how she sourced them from all over the world, including hard to find duckies from Ducks in the Window. All of her rubber ducks are displayed in glass showcases on the four walls of her dedicated duck room.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Spend time with your favorite rubber ducky. Share photos of your rubber ducky collection. Discover all the different kinds of rubber duckies available. Use #NationalRubberDuckyDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
While the research by National Day Calendar® did not uncover the creator of National Rubber Ducky Day, they are pretty fond of the idea that it has to do with Sesame Street’s Rubber Duckie.
#NationalRubberDuckieDay
#LargestRubberDuckCollection
@ducksinthewindow
@nichecinema
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