Check out entertaining and detailed history of Bobbleheads, its types and evolution.
Bobbleheads are collectible dolls that we can see almost anywhere. They are also known as wobblers or nodders. The heads of these dolls are strangely bigger, and it’s linked to the body using a spring or a hook. A light pat on the head will make it shake and wobble, henceforth its moniker. In this article, we will tackle the origins of this doll and what made it a hit!
How do bobbleheads look?
Bobbleheads are supposed to look like the image of the model it has taken with an oversized head. In the early days, bobbleheads look cartoonish with big eyes and chubby cheeks. Today, bobbleheads from Bobblehead Boy are made with more detail and look almost life-like.
With such amazing stylization, they look very much adorable and cute. It attracts all age groups alike – from toddlers to old people. Apart for car accessory and home decoration, it has evolved as collectable thing, over the centuries. Their materials, color finishing and functions have also changed drastically. Various artists had given their immense contribution to such amazing creative art, which covers wide gamut of our culture and life styles.
Types of Bobbleheads:
There are two types of bobbleheads: Plastics and Ceramics.
Ceramics are the first material people used to craft the first bobbleheads. Later, people used plastic in making them because they’re easier to mold and lightweight. Ceramic bobbleheads are still more popular, but they’re delicate to handle.
History of Bobbleheads:
18th Century Europe:
The first bobblehead was of George the IV that started this fad in England. He had a great interest in Chinese art, which led to the importation of Chinese dolls with nodding heads from Canton (Guangzhou in present-day China) to England.
In 1765, John Zoffany painted a portrait of Queen Charlotte in her dressing room in Buckingham Palace. In the background of the painting, you can see Chinese dolls with nodding heads figures. This painting is one of the first documentations of bobbleheads in world history.
In the 1780s, traders imported these dolls in large numbers bringing them to various aristocratic families in Europe, England, and also to America.
Mid 19th Century and Early 20th Century:
Nikolai Gogol referred to one of his short stories, “ The Overcoat.” He described the neck of Akaky, the main character in the story, as “like the neck of plaster cats which wag their heads.” He wrote this short story in 1842.
In 1901, Germans made small bobblehead figures of animals made from ceramic. These figurine sizes range from 6-8 inches only.
The 1960s:
Major League Baseball made the first paper-mache bobbleheads. They crafted one for each team in the league. These dolls have different body uniform designs, but all have the same cute face. It was during the World Series when they started making bobbleheads of different players. They crafted these special bobblehead dolls from these baseball stars:
- Roberto Clemente
- Mickey Mantle
- Roger Maris
- Willie Mays
In 1964, bobbleheads became popular not just for sports but also for Beatles fans! Bobblehead dolls of John, Paul, George, and Ringo became a hit! Up to now, they are still considered one of the most valuable and rarest bobbleheads of all time.
The 1990s:
Bobblehead collection popularity went down in the 1970s and the 1980s. During this period, people went on collecting action figures, video games, and lunchboxes. During this decade, bobbleheads made from plastic became the trend. It made production easier and cheaper! Bobbleheads gained back their popularity in the public eye in May 1999. The management of the San Francisco Giants decided to give a Wille Mays bobblehead to the first 20,000 visitors! It was to celebrate the Ruby Anniversary of Candlestick Park, where the Giants last played in that stadium. Since then, Major League Baseball teams once again used bobbleheads as promotional items given to their fans. The man behind this idea is Alexander Malcolm.
The 21st Century:
New variations of the bobbleheads appeared after the success of the Willy Mays bobblehead giveaways in 1999. These include:
- Mini Bobbleheads
- Bobble Computer Sitters
- Bobblehead Banks
- Bobblehead Air Fresheners
Check out bobblehead collection tips and sites to buy online.
Which are the most famous Bobbleheads?
Aside from the timeless, and sought-after Beatles Bobblehead collection, and sports and celebrity bobbleheads, here are some noteworthy wobblers that made a notch on the world bobblehead aficionados:
The Applied Underwriters (USA):
It is the biggest bobblehead in the Guinness Book of World Records as of 08 April 2016. Located in Orlando, Florida USA, this bobblehead is 15 feet and 4.75 inches tall (4.69m). It is a scaled-up version of their mascot, a St. Bernard! The giant head of this St. Bernard wobbles whenever you pull the leash attached to its head. Dino Rentos Studios created this huge bobblehead.
Phil Sklar and Brad Novak:
They have the largest collection having 2,396 different bobbleheads. They started their collection 16 years ago and started putting it up on a Bobblehead Museum in Milwaukee. As of now, they are on the process of having their claim certified by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Conan O’Brien:
Famous Late-Night Talk Show host, Conan O’ Brien unveiled on national TV a 17-feet bobblehead of himself in his show in Chicago.
Bobbleheads are highly customizable and very popular! There is a bobblehead for almost everybody in every category. Be it in sports, music, super heroes, military, wedding couples, etc. Name it, and for sure, there’s a bobblehead for it.