The Original Wooly Willy, with his ‘Magnetic Personality’, hit the toy store shelves in 1955. More than fifty years later, Willy is still proudly made in the USA at Smethport Specialty Company in Smethport, PA.

While working at Smethport Specialty, a company owned by their father Ralph Herzog, brothers Don and Jim Herzog came up with a toy concept using a vacuum-formed dome and magnetic shavings left over from toy production. A local artist from Bradford, PA, Leonard Mackowski, drew the easily-recognizable bright red nose and playful smiling face. Using a two-color press and printing on yellow cardboard, the first Wooly Willy appeared.

The concept was simple; Use the magic wand to draw whiskers, hair, and eyebrows. Show someone else the funny face or laugh to yourself. Hours of boring car rides and waiting room visits were filled with these faces.

Over the years many other variations have been produced, but the concept remains unchanged. A larger version – nearly twice the size – named Dapper Dan provides a larger canvas for creativity. Other official themed versions include: The Simpsons, Major League Baseball, and Sesame Street.

The summer of 2005 marked the Fifty Anniversary of Wooly Willy. Smethport, PA, celebrated with a week long birthday party including Drawing Contests, A Look-A-Like Contest, and a very large birthday cake!

A simple, fun toy in an age of complexity has great play value! In March 2006 VH1 named Wooly Willy #81 of the Top 100 Toys of All Time. Toy Shop's Top 40: The Greatest Toys Of All Time lists Wooly Willy as #34.  

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SmethportHistory - Wooly Willy
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