When people talk about bobblehead characters, they’re referring to the small dolls that have a spring in their head, allowing them to nod and bob when touched. Bobbleheads often feature a cartoon-like character, but they can also be modeled after real people or animals. These sculptural figures are typically made out of paper-mache or ceramic, and they’re usually painted to make them look lifelike. People from all walks of life collect them, and they’re popular at sporting events and as promotional giveaways.
Most people associate bobbleheads with professional sports teams, but they can be found at schools, libraries and other institutions. They’re also used as a promotional tool by companies and individuals, including politicians who want to raise their profile among voters.
Originally, bobbleheads were offered to fans as an incentive to attend sporting events. They were modeled after players and featured their team’s uniforms to encourage people to come to games and buy tickets. The first bobbleheads were made of baseball players, including Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente and Roger Maris. Other sports teams followed suit with their own bobbleheads, but interest in them soon waned. In the 1990s, less expensive manufacturing methods and plastic substituted for ceramic allowed them to reappear in popularity. The San Francisco Giants gave out 35,000 Willie Mays bobbleheads at a game in 1999, and that event helped fuel a revival of the figurines.
In the early days, manufacturers would produce thousands of bobbleheads at a time. This was especially true when they were given away for free at a sports game. However, in recent years, more than a dozen major league sports teams have stopped giving out the figurines as part of their promotions and instead sell them at the stadium or through their retail outlets.
Bobbleheads can be a great way to promote a company, cause or individual, and they’re a fun and creative gift for any occasion. They can be designed to resemble your favorite celebrity or even yourself, and they can include a message or symbol. Many are made out of paper-mache, while others are crafted from clay or resin.
Some of the most interesting bobbleheads are those that capture a historical figure or famous person in a unique pose. The bobblehead of Molly Brown, a socialite who survived the Titanic and helped other survivors escape, is a perfect example of this.
The back wall of the museum is covered with Post-it notes that visitors leave with suggestions on what bobbleheads the museum should manufacture next. Sklar and Novak love taking these suggestions, but they also realize that they have to be realistic about what they can achieve with their resources. The pair will continue to produce high-quality bobbleheads and offer them for sale at a reasonable price. They’ll also use the museum to educate the public about the history of these fun little figurines. That’s the best way they can help preserve this special art form and keep it alive for future generations to enjoy.