Jump to content

Sock monkey: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Sock monkey.jpg|thumb|A homemade sock monkey]]
[[Image:Sock monkey.jpg|thumb|A homemade sock monkey]]
A '''sock monkey''' is a type of stuffed [[toy]] made from hosiery and fashioned in the likeness of a [[monkey]]
A '''sock monkey''' is a type of stuffed [[toy]] fashioned in the likeness of a [[monkey]]. Originally made from discarded workmen’s socks in the [[19th century]], sock monkeys remain a popular toy to this day, although not as prevalent as [[teddy bear|teddy bears]]. The Red-Heel brand sock has included instructions on how to sew a sock monkey in every package sold since 1920, after widespread application of the product in the field of monkey manufacturing by inventive [[homemakers]] became apparent to the company. The manner in which sock monkeys are made and the materials used in their creation remain largely unchanged from the initial toys, though great variety exists. Indeed, many modern sock monkeys aren't even made from socks at all.

The sock monkey probably evolved in the 1910s or early 1920s from dolls made from discarded socks. The earliest known claim to making the monkey dolls dates to 1919. Sock monkies made from red-heeled socks could not have appeared before 1932, the year the Nelson Knitting Company added the trademarked red heel to its product. The Red-Heel brand sock has included instructions on how to sew a sock monkey in every package sold since the mid 1950s, after widespread application of the product in the field of monkey manufacturing by inventive [[homemakers]] became apparent to the company. Most "vintage" sock monkeys found today are probably not older than the late 1950s. Many date from the 1970s.

Sock monkeys remain a popular toy to this day, although not as prevalent as [[teddy bear|teddy bears]]. The manner in which sock monkeys are made and the materials used in their creation remain largely unchanged from the initial toys, though great variety exists. Indeed, some modern sock monkeys aren't even made from socks at all.


== Sock monkeys in popular culture ==
== Sock monkeys in popular culture ==
Line 16: Line 20:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.midwayvillage.com Midway Village & Museum Center
Rockford Illinois museum that houses exhibits and collections on sock monkeys and red heel socks
* [http://lennytaylor.freeyellow.com/Monkey.htm Instructions For Making The Red-Heel Sock Monkey Toy]
* [http://lennytaylor.freeyellow.com/Monkey.htm Instructions For Making The Red-Heel Sock Monkey Toy]



Revision as of 21:42, 15 November 2005

A homemade sock monkey

A sock monkey is a type of stuffed toy made from hosiery and fashioned in the likeness of a monkey

The sock monkey probably evolved in the 1910s or early 1920s from dolls made from discarded socks. The earliest known claim to making the monkey dolls dates to 1919. Sock monkies made from red-heeled socks could not have appeared before 1932, the year the Nelson Knitting Company added the trademarked red heel to its product. The Red-Heel brand sock has included instructions on how to sew a sock monkey in every package sold since the mid 1950s, after widespread application of the product in the field of monkey manufacturing by inventive homemakers became apparent to the company. Most "vintage" sock monkeys found today are probably not older than the late 1950s. Many date from the 1970s.

Sock monkeys remain a popular toy to this day, although not as prevalent as teddy bears. The manner in which sock monkeys are made and the materials used in their creation remain largely unchanged from the initial toys, though great variety exists. Indeed, some modern sock monkeys aren't even made from socks at all.

See also

Rockford Illinois museum that houses exhibits and collections on sock monkeys and red heel socks