Figure 1.-- Another specialized type of beanie is the Mousekaears beanie. The Mousekaears were first worn by the Disney Mousksteers during the 1950s. There were 39 Mouseketeers, as well as the two adult hosts, during the original show's 4-year run. Most did not have major show business careers. The exception was nnette Funicello. I don't think that the Mousekaears were any where as popular as coon-skin caps, but the younger children loved them, both boys and girls. And of course the millions of children who have visited the various Disneyland theme parks. This is Don Grady. Don played Robbie Douglas on the TV series "My Three Sons".

The beanie is best known as a popular headwear style for Anerican boys in the early 20th century. In addition to this basic usage, we notice a variety os specilized beanie styles. We note several specialized styles of beanies. The best known thanks to Cecil and Beany is the propeller beanie. This was not a beanie commonly worn by American children, but has taken on iconic status. Another specialized type of beanie is the Moskaears beanie. They were first worn by the Disney Mousksteers during the 1950s. I don't think that they were any where as popular as coon-skin caps, but the younger children loved them, both boys and girls. And of course the millions of children who have visited the various Disneyland theme parks. Beanies were also worn at American colleges, often by the incoming freshmen.

The Propeller

Thanks to Cecil and Beany, the modern concept of beanies includes a propeller. HBC at this time has little information on propeller beanies. We know they were worn by boys. We had thought perhaps that the propeller began as early as the 1920s, but we are unable to confirm this. We also do not know, however, how common they were. Presumably they were for younger boys. There ar several accounts dealing with the origins of the propellar beany. HBC can not yet document the accuarcy of these accounts. A HBC reader tells us that the propellar beanie was a children's gimmick which did not emerge until the 1950s. It was introduced by a toy inventor. We are not yet sure of the name. One reader recalls that his name was Max, but does not recall the last name. He also invented the Rock 'em Sock 'em Boxing Robots. We believe that the compamy who put out the first ones may have been the Marx toy company. nother source ties them to science fiction. Several companies made beanies of one form or another. There are even companies that make beanies today. One of the best is Interstellar Propeller. They offer both true beanies (without brims) as well as baseball caps with propellers.

Mousekaears

Another specialized type of beanie is the Mousekaears beanie. The Mousekaears were first worn by the Disney Mousksteers during the 1950s. There were 39 Mouseketeers, as well as the two adult hosts, during the original show's 4-year run. Most did not have major show business careers. The exception was nnette Funicello. I don't think that the Mousekaears were any where as popular as coon-skin caps, but the younger children loved them, both boys and girls. And of course the millions of children who have visited the various Disneyland theme parks.

Colleges

Beanies were also worn at American colleges, often by the incoming freshmen.

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Created: 5:30 AM 1/29/2008
Last updated: 5:30 AM 1/29/2008