GIANTmicrobes founder Drew Oliver talks about the origins of the company, new items for Christmas
Looking for a really unique, educational and adorable gift for your family, friends or co-workers this Christmas season?
One company provides collectible toys that fit all those descriptions, and that’s GIANTmicrobes®.
GIANTmicrobes® is the brain child of Drew Oliver, a former editor of the Harvard Lampoon who spoke to Robert Herriman of the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show to talk about the origins of this unique company and the new items available for Christmas (Listen below).
When asked about where the idea for these novelty gifts come from, Oliver said, “The original idea, the “germ” of the idea if you will, as to teach nursery school children about washing their hands. So we started with four plush dolls–the Common Cold, Sore Throat, Flu and Stomach Ache and started selling them from the website, giantmicrobes.com, and we got an amazing response.”
The company was started in 2002. It now has about 150 designs today, according to Mr. Oliver.
Oliver said that although a part of their customer base is children, scientists and doctors, most of their consumer base are “just regular folks”.
So what are some of the highlights this holiday season? The company lists the following:
GIANTmicrobes® Ornament Boxes: Three gift boxes (Tree, Stocking, and Wreath) include five best-selling microbes dressed up for Christmas: (SRP $24.95)http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/products/merrychristmasmicrobes.html
NEW GIANTmicrobes® Originals: Antibody: Our new Antibody will keep the humbugs away from your celebrations: (SRP $14.95)http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/products/antibody.html
NEW GIANTmicrobes® Originals: Heart Cell: Get your sweetheart’s pulse pounding this Christmas. Makes heartbeat sound when you squeeze it! (SRP $12.95)http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/products/heartcell.html
NEW GIANTmicrobes® Originals: Muscle: Christmas shopping is a workout. Make sure you have the muscle to get the job done! Expands and contracts like the real thing. (SRP $12.95)http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/products/musclecell.html
NEW GIANTmicrobes® Originals: Tapeworm: Our elastic Tapeworm grows and grows – especially if you feed him Christmas cookies! (SRP $12.95)http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/products/tapeworm.html
Also Available: NEW Computer Virus Dolls® and Key Chains(www.computervirusdolls.com): Perfect geek gift for computer and technology enthusiasts – or anyone who’s encountered a real computer virus!
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[…] LISTEN: Interview with GIANTmicrobes founder, Drew Oliver […]