What are the most popular children's toys? Dolls - parents of girls will tell, cars - mums and daddies of boys will answer them. However, both options are incorrect, at the very beginning of the list of the most popular toys long and firmly established rubber ducks. And this is not a joke, more than serious.
When did the duckling settle in the bathroom?
It is believed that the rubber ducklings intended for playing during bathing, appeared on sale in the 30s of the last century. The modern form of the toy in the classical design was patented in 1949. The first rubber ducks necessarily had a peeple that makes a funny sound when pressed. However, today not all symbols of domestic swimming are able to make any special sounds. However, this is not so important. National love yellow duckling has long won. Such toys are bought by newborns, and many adults do not part with them. It is unlikely that someone from the older generation confesses to you in their warm relations with a rubber duckling. However, pay attention, often a positive toy can be seen in the bathroom in a house where there are no children at all.
Secret of success
Evaluating the popularity of the classic bathing toys, one can not help thinking: "Why exactly a rubber duck for a bath?" Frogs, crocodiles, fish and other animals are also produced in a series of waterfowl activities. However, other beasts of competition can not make a yellow duckling. The figure of the duck consists of two balls, does not have sharp protrusions and angular places. This form calms, it is nice to hold in hands. The design deserves special attention. Ducklings look very positive because of their bright color. Such a toy can not cause negative impressions, on the contrary, one look at the smiling fellow swimming is enough - and all sad thoughts pass. Bath ducks are ideal for children of all ages and adults.
Ducklings-travelers
You will be surprised, but rubber ducks are swimming not only in the baths. An unusual accident occurred in 1992. During the ocean storm, the ship was wrecked, and 29 thousand rubber ducklings went to free swimming. Desperate travelers were seen after the inhabitants of the coastal areas of Australia, Indonesia, Russia, Canada, Japan and South America. However, this incident allowed us to study ocean currents. This experience was incredibly useful. And very soon the rubber ducklings again became assistant scientists, this time they were specially released near the coast of Greenland to track the melting of glaciers. The results of these studies were published. And maybe, thanks to this, very soon the ducks again could go on a large-scale voyage. Duck races are regularly held in many countries around the world. Yellow rubber figurines are released into large ponds in Argentina, Singapore, England, the USA and Germany. Often in such events take part up to 250 thousand toys. Sometimes even the winners of duck races are given good prizes.
Modern rubber duck: photo of the most unusual toys
Today on sale you can find the ducklings, made in the classical design: the yellow body and the red / orange beak. Not less popular are the more original ducks. Modern manufacturers offer creative lovers of positive bathing creative variations. Rubber ducks can be in suits of superheroes, fairy-tale characters or representatives of different professions. If desired, you can collect a whole collection of toys for swimming, united by a certain theme. And yet there are true record holders among the yellow rubber ducklings. Florentine Hoffman, a Dutch artist, launched a 32-meter figure weighing 600 kilograms. Duckling giant went on a voyage in the Bay of Port Jackson. According to the author, the meaning of this entire installation is simple: sending a symbol of joyful bathing into the ocean, the artist wanted only to remind that all people on earth are brothers swimming in one big bath.