Bill Ding
Continuing Paul's ongoing theme of strange corporate mascots — "Bill Ding" was a corporate mascot, created circa 1950, and shared by a number of building supply stores. But was he a giant robot, a wooden puppet, or a walking/talking building? I'm not sure.
Seems to me he's gotta rank as one of the laziest efforts ever to come up with a corporate mascot. I mean, Bill Ding. Really? (Though, to be fair, he's better than Clippy, the Microsoft Office mascot).
The name wasn't even original, since Bill Ding was also the name of a popular children's toy, Bill Ding the Balancing Clown, introduced in 1931.
Update: Thanks to Bill G. for sending along a picture of some Bill Ding Balancing Clowns.
Seems to me he's gotta rank as one of the laziest efforts ever to come up with a corporate mascot. I mean, Bill Ding. Really? (Though, to be fair, he's better than Clippy, the Microsoft Office mascot).
The name wasn't even original, since Bill Ding was also the name of a popular children's toy, Bill Ding the Balancing Clown, introduced in 1931.
Pottstown Mercury - May 24, 1950
Lethbridge Herald - Jan 31, 1950
Bernardsville News - Feb 16, 1950
Update: Thanks to Bill G. for sending along a picture of some Bill Ding Balancing Clowns.
Comments
Looks to me like he's made out of cheap cardboard!
Posted by Paul on 03/24/16 at 09:50 AM
I remember the toy. Not a whole lot of fun.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 03/24/16 at 10:41 AM
We just had our roof redone this week. Wish the price was 1950's.
Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 03/24/16 at 11:16 AM
He's a giant corporate puppet.
That roof in the last panel is probably subject to wind and rain but it also appears to be on fire on the left side.
That roof in the last panel is probably subject to wind and rain but it also appears to be on fire on the left side.
Posted by KDP on 03/24/16 at 12:01 PM
Mr. Ding looks like a 50's gas pump with legs.
Posted by Virtual on 03/25/16 at 03:10 PM
I thought for sure today was April 1st, as it seems the article is just Joe King about oddly named characters selling things for profit.
Posted by Greg on 03/25/16 at 08:08 PM
Bill Ding reminds me of the old 50s electric utility mascot, Ready Kilowatt. He was frightening to me since I had been taught to be extremely careful with electricity.
Posted by Fredda on 03/29/16 at 09:33 PM
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Category: Advertising | Corporate Mascots, Icons and Spokesbeings