Facts & Figures for Floating Ducks

History

• While rubber ducks first appeared in the 1800s, the stylized floating duck appeared after indoor bathrooms included tubs for bathing. By the 1940s, the Akron, Ohio, Rempel Company offered hollow rubber ducks for sale. By the 1950s, softer plastic ducks replaced the harder rubber ducks.

Stories and Songs

• Ernie of Sesame Street popularized the floating duck in his 1970s song, "Rubber Duckie." Ernie and the song helped alleviate childish fears of bathing, making bath time fun rather than frightening.

  Veggie Tales incorporated the floating duck in a twist of the Biblical story about King David and Bathsheba. In "King George and the Ducky," released in 2000, selfish King George steals a much-loved duck. He tries to cover up his misdeed until he learns an important lesson about selfishness and caring about others.

Fund-raising

• Many communities hold floating duck fund-raisers. Each person buys a set number of ducks per contribution. The ducks are entered into a race with prizes for the floating ducks crossing the finish line first. The specified charity receives the money collected from the duck purchases.

  Eric Schechter held the first U.S. floating duck race in 1988. Over $140 million has been raised for charity through his Derby Duck Races.