Source: detroitfreepress

Aside from soap, shampoo, and towels, there may be no more pervasive an item in a kid-occupied bathtub than the rubber duck, a generic aquatic toy that usually squeaks, sometimes spits water, and can be teethed upon without incident.

But do you know the history of the rubber duck? It's an interesting story and the age of the duck may be older than your grandpa. 

Origins

The ducks had their origins in the mid-1800s when rubber manufacturing began to gain ground. Out of the many animals crafted, they were the most native to water and broke away from the pack. Families would entice children to submerge themselves in the murky tubs with a duck.

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Sculptor Peter Ganine is believed to have been the now-familiar generic duck’s primary designer, patenting a toy in 1949 for a period of 14 years. Ganine reportedly sold over 50 million of them.

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By the early 1960s, the vinyl ducks were free from patent restriction and became a bathroom fixture. They were cheaply made, cheaply acquired, and a soothing presence for children with apprehensions about being dipped into water.

Became Famous

Sesame Street - Rubber Duckie (1970 version)

On February 25, 1970, rubber ducks got their biggest break yet. On the first season of Sesame Street, Ernie splashed in a tub while singing an ode to his maritime companion:

The image of Ernie playing with the duck was licensed for T-shirts, storybooks, and other merchandise that further endeared the ducks to child-occupied households.

Pacific Drift

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In the middle of a raging storm in 1992, a cargo ship carrying a huge assortment of vinyl toys tipped over. Descending into the Pacific were nearly 29,000 tub playthings, including untold thousands of rubber ducks. 

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Their journeys were able to tell oceanographers crucial information about waves, currents, and seasonal changes.

Advancements

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The duck has since undergone some minor advancements. Some, molded to resemble celebrities or athletes, are a popular gift or marketing tool; others are sculpted to giant-sized proportions to bob in lakes during summer festivals.

Like the rubber duck, JOMOO is also the kids' good pal in the bathroom.

JOMOO Alien Freestanding Bathtub

Made from acrylic, JOMOO Alien Freestanding Bathtub has a smooth surface and good tactility, and the heat preservation of acrylic is brilliant! Even if in cold winter, the skin won't be frozen when touching the bathtub, letting the child enjoy the fun of bath adequately!

Its shape matches the rubber duck well, isn't it?

Source: mentalfloss