The Origin of the Inflatable Man

"On sale now!" "Best offer today only!" You have definitely seen those weird floppy inflatable men on roadsides around the country. But did you know these spineless vinyl shills have a real back story? We delve into the history of advertisings most dynamic pitchmen.
Photo credit: Doron Gazit
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[@mrrd4444]

I'm so glad he got patents on them, because sometimes when something big like this happens their ideas get stolen and it's not as happy a story. But the idea that he got to profit off his hard work is nice.

[@claws_of_hades]

I just love them. They are too pure for this world.

[@baltimorethug5]

The fact he called them *tall boys* makes me laugh

[@BringBackCyParkVendingMachines]

Lance TacoMaster that’s what they’re originally called

[@mirzaahmed6589]

Tallbois

[@spedia4217]

Wacky wavy inflatable arm flailing tube man Wacky wavy inflatable arm flailing tube man Wacky wavy inflatable arm flailing tube man

[@StoneColdSkull]

I might be late, but you must be one big of a Bayley fan.

[@luthier72]

CWAZY FWOG WITH STINKY POOPING BUM

[@Mark-cn3wr]

Bayley would love to pop them now

[@gowonshealthyscalp3524]

0:11 one of the best intro in great big history 😂😂

[@sychomadman]

Am I the only one who tried dancing like them?

[@Itsme-sy9hq]

Maxinne Roseño sayyyme

[@loading.....4242]

Its the only way I can dance

[@osirisbr2494]

I like them

[@KCannaQueen]

THANK GOD I THOUGHT I WAS ALONE

[@sandrasweeney798]

I am also a fan of dancing like these guys❤❤❤

[@toyota8684]

I remember this was my costume for our school cosplay when I was in third grade and I remember the judges can’t stop laughing and I didn’t expected that I would be 1st place and it’s one of the most memorable cosplay that I had

[@VBahmama]

Aha - that's why those things look so familiar to me. I was so proud to know that Peter, my Dad's countryman, was asked to create the opening for the 96 Atlanta Olympics, which we attended. I see these everywhere, and love them, even though they are zoning sign code violations in most of Virginia. They are the only sign violations that I haven't reported yet. LOL

[@esthelalopez8500]

o

[@brentalexander8918]

Snitches get stitches

[@ShipsandGames]

@@brentalexander8918 ?

[@crusherbmx]

" A man obsessed with anything inflatable" C'MON....that's gold, why aren't all the comments aimed at that?

[@yamasail]

My most surprising takeaway from this is that since 1996 is all the longer they've been around.

[@Menace-To-Humanity]

atleast i know that the idea came from where i live 😁

[@hunterbeck7271]

This is what I want to be for Halloween.

[@bijeY2K]

*WACKY WAVING INFLATABLE ARM FLAILING TUBE MAN*

[@anthonybrown2781]

Love me some tall bois.

[@esmay.rodriguez]

I am getting a mini version of this so I can have it just chilling in my room😂

[@Tdotttttt]

I love these! I first saw them only in the 200s in Canada, and everytime I see one, I am in aweee, I am drawn to their movements and just watch for at least 10 minutes like a kid and laugh. I am so embarrassed cuz I watch them with a big smile and the passerby pedestrians think Im a man child. lol how could you not love them!! They are so adorable!!

[@momrivera733]

I saw one today WOW

[@noodledoodle0710]

AT AL HARRINGTONS WACKY WAVING INFLATABLE ARM FLAILING TUBE MAN EMPORIUM, I AM PASSING THE SAVINGS ONTO YOOOOU

[@redherring6268]

Family Guy brought me here, inadvertently...

[@corneliajones9098]

wsg

[@charliehuizar9647]

njkjj

[@samsamalo2296]

+Charlie Huizar 7oo

[@myriamvasquez453]

k

[@princessjaza5728]

+Myriam Vasquez b y8h9lvdda tty I op du lh

[@JPKloess]

This channel reminds me of Vox, if Vox was actually good.

[@hyprolxag]

JP Kloess except shitty leftist propagandas

[@billiam5726]

If Vox stopped talking about politics they would be great

[@theamazingwonders6058]

JP Kloess i

[@Checkmate1138]

You'd be surprised to learn that this channel is run by Buzzfeed.

[@jordansprecher259]

Buzzfeed’s improved, at least

[@averyyoung8251]

Tol Boi

[@bunn7465]

When I was young, I cried when I’d see those.

[@theshockerpit7274]

Wacky waving inflatable arm Caribbean tube man

[@kimbo7044]

when i was little me and my grandmother would call them “oh help me’s” dont ask why xD

[@thatoneguy611]

I was a mr. noodle family. Always will be

[@Cam_Prodz.]

Why

[@Mark-cn3wr]

Bayley would love to pop them now

[@godofthecob1127]

Tall *BOIS*

[@ragdollyandy]

Tall Guy: HEYYYYYY HOOOOOO

[@dustojnikhummer]

96?? Why do I associate them with American car dealerships in the 80s?

[@Ligmabawls007]

Damn Trinis not easy

[@frecensentbruh5927]

oh wow i actually got scared

[@mochilmao8651]

T A L L B O I S

[@Hyenabro]

I have a miniature one

[@ramdimstuff595]

Walking Flavor Flav will do man

[@kaichung9002]

What song is this?

[@user-ns3lb8ky5l]

Oh jeez 😳 the first Tube Men were terrifying!

[@shirkley]

When I was little I would call the inflatable man "Leo" :/

[@Sky-fr8uq]

Tall Bank of India

[@33333-w]

why was i obsessed with this video and the inflatables

[@dylanmcguire2090]

When that thing can dance better then you. I'm like 😞

[@Nakkokohlakosi]

Tall bois

[@xandocommando]

haha long boy

[@visionfour5]

Whilst this represents the popular origins of this form of kinetic sculpture - there was one created for an art and music event called "Robot Dreams" at the Phonecian Club in Sydney in April 1992. Here's what it looked like during setup. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jImakGWml55peM0 How do we know? Severed Heads and Vision Four 5 performed at this event.

[@suongoh3720]

Why in a alley? Looks creepy

[@FlowersInHisHair]

This was more interesting that I thought it would be. :)

[@noahsnanoreef4018]

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ORIGINAL TITLE!?!?!?!?!?!

[@janhib4712]

Tall *BOI*

[@cyclopsdidnothingwrong6104]

TUBE BOYS

[@5JLazerManYT]

The tallest men in the world

[@dennisvance4004]

This is Cory Booker, Beto O’Rourke and AOC: flailing arms and spouting air.

[@wilburrrrr742]

Dennis Vance haha, I came here looking for a good screen shot to make a meme. I call it...... IMPEACH

[@comento4158]

I Like To Inflate

[@brickmation197]

*tall boys*

[@marianlewis1341]

Wowww thanks for sharing🎉

[@jacksonnelson7707]

Christmas inflatables 4 life like if you agree

[@gabriel-annejagdeo7710]

From a small island named Trinidad and Tobago

[@almapalafox7657]

we

[@selinahomer5382]

md y

[@ievaarmonaite6592]

+Selina Homer atgghhaskk

[@FluxTrax]

Two islands to be a bit more precise

[@rogerrampaul6818]

Trinidad

[@artie4017]

Not Houston.

[@jtx2002]

Peter baiiiiiii

[@allisonvideo3291]

please

[@SweetcakesBrunet]

Juiop

[@MariaMartinez-lf4ue]

+Brigitte Brunet uiķ iniciode

[@MariaMartinez-lf4ue]

+Brigitte Brunet uiķ iniciode

[@MariaMartinez-lf4ue]

+Brigitte Brunet uiķ iniciode

[@wolfguts]

Sounds like someone has some weird kinks.

[@tvmptv2182]

Whos here after reality check by kevin heart

[@I-speak-U-shut-it]

Screw Kevin Hart. Im here from Family Guy!!!

[@misterycreeper6151]

FRONTIERS

[@xcreamycakes]

why so many dislikes??

[@danielp7887]

I live in Trinidad 🇹🇹

[@tttebeastarsfankingofaustr3432]

Family Guy send me here

[@dmavs07]

bayley

[@rogerrampaul6818]

0:17 trinidad

[@tuvadaloglu5784]

T A L L B O I

[@fuqrazashfaque5146]

I was always curious about this

[@vankafedia]

lord wawawa

[@carolinepayne8037]

Gibby didnt like this post. Delete it or gibby will delete ur ankles.

[@caribbean_racer_rr3]

Home Grown.

[@savirramnarine7166]

Who here was triggered when he mispronounced Carnival

[@Real_Peeps]

Umm i live in trinidad and I alr knew this but most (Not all) call them yupeees

[@savirramnarine7166]

Anyone here from Trinidad

[@jboymarv]

Me pley vidja gaimz

[@SpencerPetersen]

What?! No Family Guy clip?

[@sofiasolis5880]

+‫جراند برايم‬‎ type to it

[@kenneybonner4355]

+Sofia Solis uu

[@helpmeimreallystupid7012]

Ho ho ho hello

[@ranginaomari8389]

Cxa

[@abjoern]

I've never seen one of these in real life

[@cristinameo8607]

Allora non voglio più che mi mandiate i vostri video OK non mi interessa se parlate inglese ciao

[@eliseoreyes7689]

la verdad

[@christiantj84]

Ther fucking coollllll

[@thenormallegoguy.]

Ooo

[@mariarosario8343]

ja 00 que f

[@hiwinahmed9192]

v5 ab k.

[@fourtwenty2214]

1:11 kkk confirmed

[@romolus7255]

First :-)

[@gavinben2483]

new pinjbe song

[@fionka12398762]

+Gavin Ben❤💙

[@kayemarco9789]

t very

[@RussellBarth]

there is one outside a pot store in ottawa and it is gross and dirty

[@Ame_Fan_128]

The tall men are just so funny and wholesome for me (for some reason) 🥲

[@Sharstouch]

Im here in 2021

[@Scratchydude829]

tall bois

[@dindaud9216]

*tall bois*