The Biography and Popularity of the Inflatable Tall Boy

Probably one of the only inflatable balloons to have its own faithful fan following online, the inflatable dancing tall boy has an entire history of its own!

Usually seen dancing on street corners and used car dealerships, the wacky inflatable tall boy has become a staple in the advertising world, especially for those who want to advertise their business but don’t have a massive budget to do so.

Unique, with its own personality and character, the ever-smiling tall boy shimmies, bobs, collapses, then shimmies up again, beckoning potential customers and making them feel welcome.

So useful and so simple in design, this inflatable tube guy just keeps winning in the marketing world!

But with such power in its synthetic grasp, you have to wonder, how exactly did this guy gain such standing? Where did it all begin?

The Origins of the Inflatable Tall Boy

Of course, something this simple but unique in structure had to be created by an artist!

Invented by Trinidad and Tobago artist Peter Minshall, the design of the tall boy was inspired by the larger-than-life dancing puppets that were created for Carnival. Minshall was commissioned to create an opening for the 1996 Summer Olympics games, a project that let him get in touch with his Caribbean roots. He designed a tall man, very much reminiscent of the tall Carnival puppets which could move and dance.

For that, he contacted a colleague, Israeli artist Doron Gazit, who was partial to anything inflatable for his artistic creations. Together, these men were able to create the 60-feet long, inflatable, two-legged men.

After their design’s success at the Olympics, Gazit patented the design and licensed it to various advertisers, which led to the tall boys being used all over America, and eventually, the world.

The Popularity of the Tall Boy

From a business owner’s perspective, using the tall boy for advertising only has benefits.

It’s an inexpensive tool that allows for maximum exposure. It’s inoffensive and quite entertaining, especially for the younger generation, who gravitate towards such unique elements of marketing. The tall boy is also quite visible, which — aside from boosting awareness of your business — lets potential customers know where your location is, sort of working like an X on a treasure map.

Want a Tall Boy for Your Business?

Larger Than Life Inflatables® offers these dancing balloons as well as other inflatables for advertising. The company also offers custom services and printing in case you require a specific balloon!

To order, contact the company today and book a tall boy to promote your business!