Once upon a time...
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 parents immediately recognized that she was a must for their baby... 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.
Behind the scenes of a success story
Discover all the secrets behind Sophie la girafe® that make it a toy with a devoted following!
A 100% natural rubber toy
The latex from the Hevea tree was first processed in 1928 using the vulcanization technique invented by Mr. Charles Goodyear.
The rubber used by Vulli comes exclusively from the Hevea trees growing in Malaysia. Each morning before the heat of the day settles in, the milky liquid that oozes from the cells beneath the bark is collected from these millions of Hevea trees. This liquid is known as “latex”.
This latex is natural, soft, elastic, waterproof, insulating and pleasant to the smell and touch.
To create the little wonder that is Sophie la girafe, Vulli first heats the latex using a special process involving a technique called "rotomoulding" and then performs a series of 14 manual operations.
Stimulating the five 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.
Taste
Made of 100% natural rubber and foodgrade
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.
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.
Sophie has won awards all over the world.
In America, all over Europe, Asia and Australia, Sophie the Giraffe has been busy winning awards. View our award gallery to view all her wins.
Sophie is loved by everyone
When you're out and about, chances are you will see a Sophie the Giraffe with almost every baby in every stroller being chewed and loved.
For more Sophie the Giraffe celebrity sightings, visit our gallery page.
