Toymaker:
IDEAL TOY AND
NOVELTY COMPANY
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.
But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood”
-Fred Rogers
Woody Woodpecker
Made by Mattel
1962.
WELCOME TO THE
Ideal Toy and Novelty Company
(1907 - 1997) Morris & Rose Michtom, 19th century Jewish immigrants, moved to NYC where Morris first worked at a candy company. Inspired by Teddy Roosevelt's Outdoor Adventures, they began manufacturing teddy bears, sending one to the president. In 1904, the president bought hundreds and used them during his 1904 re-election campaigns. They founded the Ideal Toy and Novelty Company and set up shop in Hollis, Queens.
They moved from making bears to begin making composition dolls in 1907.
They produced over 200 variations of dolls throughout the composition era.
Their Shirley Temple and Judy Garland dolls were hugely successful, as was the Betsy Wetsy, made of rubber in 1934!
During the 2nd World War, the making of rubber toys was banned because the materials were needed for the war effort. In fact, children were encouraged to donate their rubber toys for conversion to military products. This
Fun Fact: But what you may not have known is that Miss Betsy was also one of the first mass-produced dolls with an African American counterpart).
Read more about the history of the use of rubber for making toys
by clicking here. Even better, learn how to make your OWN rubber heads out of silicone by clicking here!
Pictured below are many of the rubber head hand puppets created by Ideal: more of the company history can be found by clicking here.
(SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE MANUFACTURERS)
Rubber Head Puppet
Production Continues!
Students of the Puppet Arts Institute in Kansas City, Missouri
create their own rubber head puppets using actual rubber puppet heads manufacturered at the former Hazelle Puppet Company!
Order your own Rubber Head Puppet Kit from the Puppetry Arts Institute by CLICKING HERE!
DOWNLOAD directions for creating YOUR OWN rubber heads by CLICKING HERE!
Challenge a Friend or Race Against the Clock as You Battle Through 20 Levels of Endless Fun
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