History of Beanie Babies
Beanie Babies were launched in the early 1990s, and a number of different designs were available during the decade. During this period, various stuffed animals became very popular and rose in price as an investment.
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Founding
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H. Ty Warner, a salesman for Dakin, a stuffed toy manufacturer, started Ty Incorporated in 1986. He released four plush cats named Angel, Ginger, Peaches and Smokey. In 1993, the company introduced its Beanie Babies line.
First Line
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The first line of Beanie Babies included nine different designs: Chocolate the Moose, Brownie the Brown Bear, Flash the Dolphin, Legs the Frog, Patti the Platypus, Pinchers the Lobster, Splash the Orca, Spot the Spotless Dog and Squealer the Pink Pig.
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Fad
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A public craze over Beanie Babies began in the late 1990s. The majority of the people who bought them believed they would increase in value over time. However, by the turn of the century, the phenomenon had dwindled.
Lawsuit
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During its peak success, Ty Inc. released a plush toy named Tabasco the Bull. The Tabasco company sued, and the toy manufacturer was forced to change the name of the toy to Snort, making the original doll highly valuable.
21st Century
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In 1999, the company decided to stop producing Beanie Babies. However, consumers continued to push for a relaunch. The following year, Ty Inc. complied, and as of 2009, Beanie Babies were still manufactured.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Chugga; Public Domain
