Sophie the Giraffe: a baby's best friend

Sometimes the simplest stories are the most satisfying. On the 25th of May 1961 (St Sophie's Day) a Monsieur Rampeau set to work on crafting a unique toy from the sap of the Hevea tree. Using his expertise of moulding natural rubber into toys, Monsieur Rampeau took the world by storm with Sophie the Giraffe. Sophie was unique for its time and remains unique to this day. Ideal for a baby's small hands to grasp, Sophie is much loved by mothers and babies during teething. Sophie is still produced traditionally, using 14 manual operations to create each giraffe. The process is a closely guarded secret that remains unchanged, and with much of it completed by hand each Sophie is slightly different - just like the exotic giraffes she takes her look from. Many people wonder what the secret to Sophie's success has been. Sophie's answer? She was the first toy to stimulate all five of a baby's senses. Sight: The attention-catching spots all over Sophie the Giraffe's body provide visual stimulation and she soon becomes a familiar and reassuring object for baby. Hearing: Sophie's squeaker keeps baby amused and stimulates their hearing. Taste: Sophie is made of 100% natural rubber and food grade paint, and is completely safe to chew. Touch: Sophie the Giraffe's soft feel stimulates physiological and emotional responses that soothe babies and promote healthy growth and well-being. Smell: The singular scent of natural rubber from the Hevea tree makes the giraffe easy for your child to identify amid all their other toys. At 50 years old and still as popular as ever, Sophie the Giraffe proves that sometimes the simplest toys are the most satisfying. See how Sophie is made: