Hoptimist Bimble, Large, Girl with Smiling Eyes, Decoration / Game Idea, Plastic, Red, 2001-40

Originally, it was the Danish cabinetmaker Hans Gustav Ehrenreich (1917-1984) who designed the cheerful and cute Hoptimists in 1968. The strong colors and round shapes that characterize his figures were very much in vogue at the time. Ehrenreich took part in several international exhibitions and received numerous awards for his handicrafts at home and abroad.

The Hoptimists can make a difference. They can conjure up a smile and make you want to do something.
A smile usually starts with another smile. The Hoptimists smile at you and wait for your reaction. Maybe a smile, maybe a little pat on top of that, which sets the figure in motion. It thanks you for the attention and hops on the spot with an excess of energy. Completely predictable and every time.

Children know this intuitively. They immediately see what the Hoptimist gives them back when they touch it. The same childlike expectation makes adults want to raise their hand and press lightly on the Hoptimist. The rest is mechanics. When the energy of the hand compresses the spring, the figure comes to life. Not much, not for long, but exactly as we expected.

Design: Hans Gustav Ehrenreich

Height: 13 cm
Diameter Ø: 10 cm

Material: plastic
Color: Red

Manufacturer article number: 2001-40