Tickle-Me Elmos have been circulating the United States since 1996. When they were first introduced in the United States, they quickly gained popularity, stirring up the crazy in parents everywhere. The doll’s short supply due to the unexpected demand led to an increase in price and violence over the limited stock among customers. Newspaper classified sections sold the plush toy for hundreds of U.S. dollars. According to People magazine, it was reported that the toy, originally sold at $28.99, has reached the price of as much as $1500.
Tickle- Me Elmo was invented by Tyco Preschool, a division of Tyco Toys. When squeezed once, Elmo would giggle, and when squeezed three times, Elmo would begin to shake and laugh hysterically. The toy was based off of a popular and beloved character in the television show Sesame Street.
Elmo saw a jump in sales after Rosie O’Donnell featured the doll on an episode of her show in October of 1996. Whenever a guest said the word “wall,” Rosie threw a doll into the audience, according to ezine articles. Another spike in sales occurred that same year after Bryant Gumbel held a doll during most of an episode of the Today Show.
On Black Friday in 1996, shortly after the doll had been released, Tickle-Me Elmo had sold out in two hours from stores all over the country. Many parents, desperate to please their children, engaged in fights with clerks and other customers. NBC news reported that a store worker broke a rib during a stampede.
Many other companies strived to achieve this success, creating new versions of Tickle-Me Elmo, and also bringing Tickle-Me Bert and Tickle-Me Ernie into the picture. None received quite as much attention as the original.