Sock'em boppers
Encyclopedia
Socker Boppers were a children's toy
popularized in the late 1990s, though they had existed for decades prior to that. Television advertisements for the product featured a jingle offering the boast that they were "More fun than a pillowfight". The comparison was made based upon the nature of the product: inflatable pads worn on both hands and used as oversized boxing gloves. No documentation was ever offered outlining any data on the relative entertainment levels of Sock'em Boppers and of pillowfights, and the claim made in the advertising material has never been considered particularly valid from any empirical point of view.
The toy also encountered controversy due to the violent nature of its intended use. Many parents reportedly felt that a toy created to instigate fistfights between children had no place on store shelves. Defenders of the toy were quick to point out that the heavily cushioned pads made bodily harm unlikely, as well as that proper use of the toy was a valid form of aerobic exercise
. Despite the connection between Sock'em Boppers and the sport of boxing
, no boxers of any prominence were attached to the product for any promotions.
Sock'em Boppers underwent something of a renaissance in the mid- to late-2000s, spurred on in equal parts by nostalgia and their increased availability from online retail stores. A July 24, 2006 article in the Chicago Tribune reports that "sales ... of [Sock'em Boppers] saw an increase of 18% between 2005 and 2006, ... the product's strongest showing in almost a decade."
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
popularized in the late 1990s, though they had existed for decades prior to that. Television advertisements for the product featured a jingle offering the boast that they were "More fun than a pillowfight". The comparison was made based upon the nature of the product: inflatable pads worn on both hands and used as oversized boxing gloves. No documentation was ever offered outlining any data on the relative entertainment levels of Sock'em Boppers and of pillowfights, and the claim made in the advertising material has never been considered particularly valid from any empirical point of view.
The toy also encountered controversy due to the violent nature of its intended use. Many parents reportedly felt that a toy created to instigate fistfights between children had no place on store shelves. Defenders of the toy were quick to point out that the heavily cushioned pads made bodily harm unlikely, as well as that proper use of the toy was a valid form of aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise is physical exercise of relatively low intensity that depends primarily on the aerobic energy-generating process. Aerobic literally means "living in air", and refers to the use of oxygen to adequately meet energy demands during exercise via aerobic metabolism...
. Despite the connection between Sock'em Boppers and the sport of boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, no boxers of any prominence were attached to the product for any promotions.
Sock'em Boppers underwent something of a renaissance in the mid- to late-2000s, spurred on in equal parts by nostalgia and their increased availability from online retail stores. A July 24, 2006 article in the Chicago Tribune reports that "sales ... of [Sock'em Boppers] saw an increase of 18% between 2005 and 2006, ... the product's strongest showing in almost a decade."