The History of Bobbleheads
Bobbleheads, also known as nodder dolls or wobbler figures, are dolls with oversized heads that are attached to the body by a spring. When the head is touched, it “bobbles” back and forth, hence the name “bobblehead.” These cute and playful figurines have been around for centuries, and have a rich and fascinating history.
Bobbleheads can be traced back to ancient China, where they were first made out of clay and used as decorations in temples. In the 17th and 18th centuries, bobbleheads were made in Europe and were used as charms and talismans. They were also popular in Japan, where they were made out of ceramic and were used as good luck charms.
It was not until the 19th century that bobbleheads became popular in the United States. In the 1850s, bobbleheads were made out of papier-mâché and were used as novelty items and promotional giveaways. In the early 20th century, bobbleheads were made out of ceramic and were used as advertising collectibles for companies such as Coca-Cola and tobacco companies. They were also made in the likeness of celebrities and politicians, and were sold as souvenirs.
The Resurgence of Bobbleheads
Bobbleheads fell out of popularity in the mid-20th century, but they experienced a resurgence in the 1960s. In the 1960s, bobbleheads were made out of plastic and were mass-produced. They were also made in the likeness of popular television and movie characters, such as The Beatles and The Flintstones. In the 1990s, bobbleheads became popular again, and were made in the likeness of sports figures, such as baseball players.
Today, bobbleheads are popular collectibles and are made in the likeness of a wide variety of people, including celebrities, politicians, athletes, and fictional characters. They are also used as promotional items and are often given away at sporting events and other public gatherings. Bobbleheads are still made out of a variety of materials, including ceramic, plastic, and resin. They are also available in a wide range of sizes, from small figurines to life-sized statues.
Who Came Up with the Idea of Bobbleheads?
It is difficult to say exactly who came up with the idea of bobbleheads, as they have been around for centuries and have been made by a variety of people in different parts of the world. However, it is likely that the idea of bobbleheads originated in ancient China, where they were first made out of clay and used as decorations in temples.
In the United States, bobbleheads were popularized in the 19th century by a German immigrant named Johann Gottfried Gerstlauer. Gerstlauer was a toy maker who came to the United States in the 1850s and started a company called Joyful Expressions. Gerstlauer is credited with creating the first papier-mâché bobblehead dolls in the United States, and his company became known for its bobblehead figurines. Gerstlauer’s bobbleheads were sold as souvenirs and novelty items, and were often given away as promotional items by companies such as Coca-Cola and tobacco companies.
While Gerstlauer is credited with popularizing bobbleheads in the United States
