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| Left, A talking Smokey Bear celebrates his 50th Birthday This Year! (1994) Center, This Smokey is 15" tall, wears a hat, badge and blue denim trousers. He is a stuffed Rayon plush from Sears in 1969. Zippy the Chimp pictured with him too. Right, the Nationally Famous Smokey Bear Doll, "Now the famous symbol of forest-fire prevention is a cuddly toy- acts as a reminder to be careful. Smokey is a plaything for children-a mascot for adults. 18" tall; stuffed rayon plush with Vinyl face. Wears "Smokey trousers, hat badge, belt buckle, carries famous shovel. It's a wonderful toy-it's "Ideal." from 1953. |
Smokey Bear is an American campaign and advertising icon of the U.S. Forest Service. In the Wildfire Prevention Campaign, which is the longest-running public service announcement campaign in United States history, the Ad Council, the United States Forest Service (USFS), and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), in partnership with creative agency FCB, employ Smokey Bear to educate the public about the dangers of unplanned human-caused wildfires.
Smokey quickly became a part of American popular culture, appearing on radio programs, in comic strips, in cartoons, and as merchandise. Knickerbocker Bears acquired the license to produce Smokey Bear dolls in 1944. In 1949, Forest Service worker Rudy Wendelin became the campaign's full-time artist and was considered Smokey Bear's "manager" until Wendelin retired in 1973.
A Smokey Bear doll was produced by Ideal Toys beginning in 1952; the doll included a mail-in card for children to become Junior Forest Rangers. Children could also apply by writing the U.S. Forest Service or Smokey Bear at his ZIP Code.Within three years half a million children had applied. Also in 1952, songwriters Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins had a successful song named "Smokey the Bear" which was performed by Eddy Arnold. The pair said "the" was added to Smokey's name to keep the song's rhythm. During the 1950s, that variant of the name became widespread both in popular speech and in print, including at least one standard encyclopedia, despite Smokey Bear's name never officially changing. A 1955 book in the Little Golden Books series was called Smokey the Bear and he calls himself by this name in the book. It depicted him as an orphaned cub rescued in the aftermath of a forest fire, loosely following the true story of the bear chosen as Smokey's "living symbol". This was the first book about him, and it was followed by many sequels and coloring books. Soon, thousands of dolls, toys, and other collectibles were on the market.
A Smokey Bear doll was produced by Ideal Toys beginning in 1952; the doll included a mail-in card for children to become Junior Forest Rangers. Children could also apply by writing the U.S. Forest Service or Smokey Bear at his ZIP Code.Within three years half a million children had applied. Also in 1952, songwriters Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins had a successful song named "Smokey the Bear" which was performed by Eddy Arnold. The pair said "the" was added to Smokey's name to keep the song's rhythm. During the 1950s, that variant of the name became widespread both in popular speech and in print, including at least one standard encyclopedia, despite Smokey Bear's name never officially changing. A 1955 book in the Little Golden Books series was called Smokey the Bear and he calls himself by this name in the book. It depicted him as an orphaned cub rescued in the aftermath of a forest fire, loosely following the true story of the bear chosen as Smokey's "living symbol". This was the first book about him, and it was followed by many sequels and coloring books. Soon, thousands of dolls, toys, and other collectibles were on the market.
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| "Smokey Bear," shovel in hand, all togged out in jeans, Junior Forest Ranger hat and badge, is the official forest fire prevention symbol. He brings with him the code, stickers and membership card of Junior Forest Rangers, Made by the Ideal Toy Corporation, Hollis 7, New York." |
Hard-working "Smokey" makes a sturdy, lovable playmate. Head, hands and feet are made of Bakelite Vinyl Resins. "This fine fellow is ready for roughhouse at any time. His huggable plush body is enhanced by amazingly realistic head and paws of soft, washable Bakelite Vinyl Resins. The very same resins which make possible such authentic molding in this Ideal toy, make possible unique advantages in a host of other everyday things...from hair curlers to workgloves. For top quality in all you buy look for the Bakelite trade-mark. Both industry and defense rely on these superior plastics...you can too!
Lucky Sweetheart Vintage educates about how
to identify Bakelite, Lucite and Celluloid
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