All About Beanie Babies

The history of Beanie Babies

The man responsible for one of the most popular toys in American history really isn't as popular himself as many might think. Ty Warner, the inventor of Beanie Babies and founder of toy company, Ty, Inc., has generally kept himself out of the spotlight over the last decade.

Warner was born in 1944 outside of Chicago, Ill., and is reported to have been an above-average student who followed his dream of ultimately opening a toy company, and constantly being involved with the marketing process. Warner soon realized the popularity of small stuffed animals, his company's bread and butter.

By 1992, Warner's sales catalog had grown to several dozen stuffed animals. But at this point, Warner still hadn't pursued an idea he had been kicking around, which was to make a small plush animal that would appeal to kids, and be cheap enough so kids could buy them with a modest allowance.

But it was also important to Warner that these plush animals be small enough for kids to fit in their pockets. It was this concept that is thought to have led to the production of the first Beanie Babies.

The Beanie Baby is born

In 1993, the first line of Beanie Babies were released. This line included just nine different Beanies, and would later become known as the coveted "Original 9." Shortly after these nine Beanies were released, they were received as an instant hit, and hundreds of different kinds would follow.

Although he didn't realize it at the time, Warner had created one of the biggest and most successful toy fads in American history. Today, it is not uncommon for people to spend hundreds of dollars for rare Beanie Babies that originally sold for just a few dollars. Some ultra-rare Beanie Babies have even been reported to have been sold for as much as $1,000. This aftermarket craze is what continued to drive the popularity of Beanie Babies much longer than most other stuffed toys.

A great marketing strategy

Much of the success Beanie Babies have enjoyed is a result of Warner's highly-effective marketing strategies. By making them initially affordable for anyone, limiting production, being secretive with minimal advertising, and avoiding distribution to large chain retailers, Ty, Inc. created a recipe for success.

Although Beanie Babies are not quite as popular today as they were a few years ago, they still remain a hot item on the aftermarket, and are enjoyed by millions of children worldwide.

More information on stuffed toys