This little guy is the Billiken, a strange elf like creature whose tummy brings good luck. Invented by an art teacher in Kansas City, it was the first copywrighted doll. Named after William Taft, it was incredibly popular toy in 1909 and set the stage for Cabbage Patch Kids and Tickle Me Elmo ninety years later. Of course, he has faded into obscurity everywhere but in Japan and on the Campus of St. Louis University.
Here's the Jazz at the Bistro. More on this later.
No comments:
Post a Comment