Tube man
A tube man, also known as a skydancer, air dancer, inflatable man and originally called the Tall Boy, is an inflatable stick figure comprising sections of fabric tubing attached to a fan. As the fan blows air through it, the tubing moves in a dynamic dancing or flailing motion. Tube men are typically used to advertise retail business premises to passing motorists.
History
[edit]Peter Minshall, an artist from Trinidad and Tobago, came up with the concept, and it was developed by a team that included Israeli artist Doron Gazit[1] and Arieh Dranger,[2] for the 1996 Summer Olympics.[3][4][1][5] Minshall originally called his invention the "Tall Boy". Gazit eventually patented the concept of an inflatable, dancing human-shaped balloon, and licensed the patent to various companies that manufacture and sell the devices.
References in pop culture
[edit]A notable reference in pop culture comes from Al Harrington, a recurring character on the sitcom Family Guy, who is owner, president, and CEO of "Al Harrington's Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm-Flailing Tubeman Emporium and Warehouse".[6]
In the 2022 film Nope, the protagonists used tube men as a method for detecting the presence of an alien.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]
- ^ a b Dean, Sam (2014-10-20). "Biography of an Inflatable Tube Guy". re:form. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
- ^ "Apparatus and Method for Providing Inflated Undulating Figures". Justia Patents. May 31, 2001. Archived from the original on June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
- ^ "The Caribbean Origins of the Dancing Inflatable Man". Slate. 2014-12-03. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
- ^ Ali, Shereen (2014-12-10). "Who Knew Minshall Invented - Inflatable Men?". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
- ^ Northrup, Laura (2014-12-05). "Who Invented Roadside Arm-Waving Air Dancers?". Consumerist. Archived from the original on 2015-01-08. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
- ^ "Family Guy Season 4 Episode 29 Quotes". 2 December 2009.