Gay bob doll pretty advanced for the times

Gay Bob dolls were sold via mail-order advertisements in gay magazines and a few boutique shops in New York City and San Francisco. People who are not ashamed of what they are, are more lovable, kind, and understanding. The ads were tongue-firmly-in-cheek, and the first 2, dolls sold quickly to adult collectors.

But Gay Bob was more than just clever packaging; he also promoted the idea that coming out of the closet, being open and honest with the people in your life, was a powerful and courageous act. He came with a leather satchel and an accordion-folded paper fashion catalog.

Designed to look like a combination of Paul Newman and Robert Redford and packed into his own cardboard closet, Gay Bob was the brainchild of former advertising executive Harvey Rosenberg. Please plan your visit accordingly. In real estate, location might be everything, but as far as Rosenberg was concerned, when it came to selling toys the most important thing was packaging, packaging, packaging.

An original ad for the Gay Bob doll. Perhaps most notably in the design of Gay Bob is that he has anatomically correct genitals. It's safe to say that Gay Bob's design was over the top-- it's camp. A lot of straight people should come out of their 'straight closets' and take the risk of being honest about what they are.

He was sold in a cardboard box designed to look like a closet. The doll gave anti-gay organizations plenty to fear; intrinsic within it was a celebration of gay identity, evidenced by Gay Bob’s programmed speech. But remember, if Gay Bob has the courage to come out of his closet, so can you!

Gay Bob was created by an advertising executive named Harvey Rosenberg. For more information or to reschedule your visit, email info nhm. When Gay Bob was removed from the sliding case packaging, he was, in effect, coming out of the closet.

The Story Behind Gay

The cardboard box featured closet doors on the outside and an illustrated wardrobe within. The catalogue included encouraging messaging on coming out like, "It is not easy to be honest about who you are-- in fact, it takes a great deal of courage.

Consequently, ten thousand more dolls were produced, and Gay Bob was bestowed with Esquire magazine's "Dubious Achievement Award" in He wore cuffed blue jeans, cowboy boots, a plaid shirt, a gold chain around his neck, and one pierced ear with a blue earring.

Gay Bob's catalogue was meant to be a joke and contained a wardrobe listed at exorbitant prices. While Rosenberg did not identify as gay, he stated that he had created the doll to liberate men from traditional sexual roles. The clothing advertised in the fashion catalogue was intended as a joke, and the outfits were listed at exorbitant prices.

The Museum's History Department cares for this Gay Bob doll today, but its original owner is actress, former radio host, and well-known doll collector, Jane Withers. A handsome and masculine doll, Gay Bob had a short feathery blonde crew cut and was designed to look like a cross between Paul Newman and Robert Redford.

While Ken’s sexual identity remains a topic of speculation, Gay Bob’s queer pride has never been in question. And so, the dolls were manufactured in Hong Kong.

Gay Bob Doll Babi

Thirteen inches tall and plastic, Gay Bob was marketed as the first openly gay doll and made his retail debut in mail-order catalogs. Gay people are no different than straight people. Gay Bob is a doll created in and billed as the world's first openly gay doll.

Bob was created by former advertising executive Harvey Rosenberg and marketed through his company, Gizmo Development. I bet you are wondering why I come packed in a closet. Despite initial popularity among collectors, Gay Bob eventually faded from view due to the challenging circumstances and opposition from conservative figures like Anita Bryant.