From Bath-Toy to Billboard: How the Humble Rubber Duck Conquered the World: A Collection of Strange, True Stories of Everyday Objects That Became Cult

By David Hill

What if your childhood bath toy held the secret to a global phenomenon? In this book, you'll dive into the unexpectedly wild journeys of objects so ordinary you'd never glance twice-until you learn how they became cultural icons. From a chew-toy duck born in the age of vulcanised rubber to disco-era lamps that bubbled into counter-culture fashion, each chapter uncovers the real people, quirky inventions, and crazy twists behind artefacts we thought we knew.

Prepare to meet the inventor who wandered into a pub, watched a shaking cocktail shaker lightbulb moment, and ended up creating Lava Lamp history. Then travel to late-19th-century America where vulcanised rubber spawned the first ducks that couldn't float-and how a sculptor flipped them into icons we still squeak about today. Blend in tales of snow globes born from surgical-lamp experiments, kitchen gadgets that became pop art, and more. Grab this book if you're into outsider design, cultural weirdness, and the hidden human stories behind the objects that surround us.

Whether you're a history buff, design lover, or just curious about why your living room shelf looks the way it does, you'll find yourself looking at everyday things with fresh eyes-and a grin. Because once you know the back-story, that duck in your bathtub isn't just rubber anymore.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FY6Y3HRT
• ISBN13: 9798272120014
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 140 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"