About Sophie La Girafe
Once upon a time …
… the simple story of a giraffe was born on May 25th in the year 1961, Saint Sophie’s day.
In those days, the only animal toys available were farm animals and pet figures …
That is why one day in France, a certain Monsieur RAMPEAU, who was an expert in transforming the latex from the HEVEA tree using the rotational moulding of rubber as a toy-making concept, came up with the idea of designing a giraffe. Such an exotic wildlife figure would be a first on the market, and its size and shape would be ideal for a baby’s small hand to grasp.
Sophie la girafe, who looked exactly the same than she does today, went into production on a Thursday, May 25th, hence her name.
She was an immediate success. Young mothers immediately recognized that she was a must for their children … When the first signs of teething appear, Sophie la girafe helps babies stop crying!
By simple word of mouth, the little giraffe’s fame spread. From then on in Europe, generations upon generations of children were to love hearing Sophie squeak whenever they pressed her tummy or head!
VULLI, a company based in Rumilly in the Haute-Savoie region of France has continued to keep the highly guarded secret of how this wonder toy is made.
To this day, Sophie la girafe is still “traditionally” produced, a process that involves more than 14 manual operations.
She is made from 100% natural rubber derived from the latex of the Hevea tree.
STIMULATING THE 5 SENSES
Hearing
Sophie La Girafe’s squeaker keeps baby amused and stimulates his hearing. To begin with, the funny sound she makes when she is squeezed helps to stimulate his hearing, and then later, helps him to understand the link between cause and effect.
Touch
Touch is the first means a baby has to communicate with the outside world. Sophie La Girafe’s soft feel, like baby’s mother’s skin, stimulates physiological and emotional responses that soothe baby and promote healthy growth and well-being.
Sight
At the age of 3 months, a baby’s eyesight is still limited and he can only make out high contrasts. The dark and contrasting attention-catching spots all over Sophie La Girafe’s body provide visual stimulation and she soon becomes a familiar and reassuring object for baby.
Easy to Grip
Thanks to her shape and 18cm size, Sophie La Girafe is perfect for baby’s small hands. She is very light, and her long legs and neck make it easy for baby to grip, even from his earliest days.
Taste
Made of 100% natural rubber and food-grade paints, she is completely safe to chew. Sophie La Girafe is akin to the nipple of a feeding-bottle. Her soft texture and numerous chewable parts (ears, horns, legs), makes her perfect for soothing baby’s sore gums during teething.
Smell
The singular scent of natural rubber from the Hevea tree makes Sophie La Girafe very special and easy for your child to identify amid all his other toys.
Behind the Scenes of a Successful Story
A 100% natural rubber toy
Latex from the Hevea tree was first processed in 1928 using the
vulcanization invented by Mr Charles Goodyear.
The rubber used by Vulli comes from the Hevea tree (rubber trees)
that grow in Malaysia. Every morning, before the daytime heat sets
in, the milky liquid that oozes from the cells beneath the bark is
collected from these millions of hevea trees. This liquid is kown as
“latex”.
Latex is natural, elastic and water-resistant, acts as an insulator, is
pleasant to the touch and smells nice. Vulli takes this latex, heats it,
and then applies a special process and a rotational moulding technique.
The result, after 14 manual operations, is the wonderful little “Sophie
La Girafe”.
Still the same, even after more than 50 years…
Despite being born in 1961, Sophie La Girafe has not aged in the slightest.
With sales of over 50 million units, she is the undisputed star for the very young.
The archetypal embodiment of an early learning toy, Sophie La Girafe is a must-have! With widespread popularity, she is genuinely loved by every parent and child alike.
Sophie La Girafe has become timeless and cross-generational. Discover Sophie La Girafe’s manufacturing process through the video below.
