The 10 Year History of Elmo

I remember watching Sesame Street when I was younger and seeing this little red cute thing, named Elmo. Way back then, I'm sure they didn't think he was going to be such a big hit. He sure did make it big in the toy world, but I can see why, as he is the darn-est, cutest, little guy to hit the toys, since the Cabbage Patch.

Over the last 10 years there has been 10 different types of Elmo's. I am listing all the Elmo's names and what they do, below.

1996
Was the very first Tickle Me Elmo. You press his belly and he laughs and shakes hysterically.

He was such a hit for Christmas, that you had to try to fight your way through the crowds at the stores to grab him, or you wouldn't be able to get one at all. He was the biggest thing, that year for Christmas.

1998
Walk 'n Talk Elmo. Press Elmo's sneaker and he walks and talks.

1999
The Rock 'n Roll Elmo. To get the music pumpin', kids just press the button on Elmo's guitar. Sings two songs, "strums" his guitar and grooves to the beat, just like a real rock star! Kids can even add their own beat to make totally kickin' tunes. Simply press and release the button on Elmo's guitar, and rock 'n roll turns into a rappin' rock! Flashing lights on the guitars add to the excitement.

2000
Let's pretend Elmo. Elmo pretends like a 3 year old. He speaks fun phrases and makes funny sounds. When you position Elmo in different poses, he pretends to be different things. Pretends to be 10 different things, including an airplane. Elmo moves his arms, legs, turns, stands, and sits. You can lay him down and he giggles and laughs.

2001
There was the Tickle Me Elmo Surprise. Elmo has 5 tickle spots, and you have to find the one that makes him shake and roar with hysterical laughter, it's in a different place each time.

2002
Chicken dance Elmo. Elmo is dressed like a silly chicken. Push the button on Elmo's left foot and his high-pitched voice encourages little ones to do the Chicken Dance with him. His arms flap and his knees bounce up and down as he sings the lines, "Elmo wants to be a chicken, Elmo wants to be a duck" to the familiar, but annoying, tune. Press the button on his right foot and Elmo will cluck like a chicken and move his head.

2003
Hokey Pokey Elmo. Complete with music, song and dance. Yes, Elmo is actually doing the hokey pokey and alternates putting his left arm/hand in and his right foot/leg in. When its time to "shake it all about", Elmo does his signature shake and vibrate that he's known best for ever since the original Tickle Me Elmo was released. But I think best of all, is that when it come to turn himself around, he really does. Elmo's feet have rollers on the bottom of them which enable him to turn in a complete 360 degree circle (twice actually) even on carpet.

2004
E-L-M-O. Elmo sings and dances to his own version of the "YMCA" song-- E-L-M-O. Squeeze Elmo''s hand and Elmo will invite you to join him dancing to his fun song. Elmo not only plays the E-L-M-O song, but he actually forms the E, L, M and O with his arms! Squeeze Elmo''s hand again and Elmo will invite you to spell out his name with him. ""Give Elmo an E!"" ""Give Elmo an L!"" ""Give Elmo an M! ""Give Elmo an O!"" What''s that spell?!? Elmo!!

2005
SHOUT. A little bit louder now! A little bit higher now! Get your child moving and grooving with Elmo as he sings and dances to the "Shout" song. Press this soft Elmo's left foot, and he waves his arms and dances up and down to the music. Little ones get into the groove, too, when they press the right foot and Elmo challenges them to go as low and soft, or high and loud as they can. He moves up and down in stages to the music, just like the song.

2006 - T.M.X. Elmo.
This Elmo is all about tickles.

Sit T.M.X. Elmo down and hit one of his three "tickle" spots. There's one under his chin, one on his belly, and one on top of his foot. Yes, this Elmo wiggles just like he did 10 years ago, but that's just the start. Elmo slaps his belly, falls forward with his butt sticking out, stands back up again only to topple backwards, kicks his legs over his belly, and then stands right back up, all while laughing hysterically.

"Again! Again!"

Elmo gets more outrageous when you "tickle" him a second time, and the fun really starts with the third "tickle" session. Elmo's fancy moves include falling over on his side, shimmying on his back, and what seems to be everyone's favorite: lying flat on his belly slapping the floor next to him as if he can't stop laughing. This Elmo has a serious case of the giggles. His trademark voice builds into a fit of histrionics, endless snickers that drown out everything but an unintelligible cackle until even Elmo admits he has had too much.

After 10 years of Elmo Fisher price has come out with the most adorable Elmo for the 10 year Anniversary. This Elmo is getting more rave then the very first Tickle me Elmo. It's the way he moves on the floor, giggles, laughs, and stomps, that makes him the most wanted toy this holiday season. If you can't find him in the stores, then you will have to try to find Elmo on-line. That can get very expensive, because people that managed to get some TMX Elmo's are auctioning them off at Ebay.com, and Overstock.com, way above the sell price in the stores.

Who knew that this was a start of something that would still be around 10 years later. He will always be the cute little red Elmo that everyone loves, for years to come.