Playmobil 9380 1.2.3 Zookeeper with Giraffe

The giraffe is being cared after by an animal groomer. She was ill, but owing to his attentiveness, she is now in high spirits. Because of its bright colours and spherical forms, PLAYMOBIL-1.2.3 is ideally suited to the hands of toddlers. Each set is built to last, is colorfast, and is free of tiny pieces. Long-lasting enjoyment is ensured with a diverse range of play and learning features.

Find more cool Playmobil figures in the full collection available from Maqio Toys.

Hans Beck (1929œ2009), a German inventor who is widely regarded as the "Father of Playmobil," created the toy in the 1930s. Beck had formal training as a cabinetmaker and was also an active model aircraft enthusiast, a passion for which he developed a product that he marketed to the business Geobra Brandstätter. Owner Horst Brandstätter requested that Beck manufacture toy figurines for children rather than the original plan for the firm. (The firm had previously been known as a manufacturer of casket embellishments and handles.)

Beck worked on Playmobil for three years, from 1971 to 1974, during which time he received a patent. Beck did research that enabled him to build a toy that was not too complicated while also being adaptable to different situations. The author believed that an excessive amount of flexibility would interfere with the creativity of youngsters, while an excessive amount of rigour may cause them dissatisfaction. It was his intention that the toy would be small enough to fit in a child's hand, and his face design was inspired by children's drawings: a broad head, a wide grin, and no nose. The miniature figurines would be placed in their hands with no explanation as to what they were, according to Beck. "They were received without hesitation... They came up with their own little situations for them. Playing with them was something they never got tired of."