Giant microbes Issue #35

Who knew syphilis could be cuddly?

By Amy Westervelt
Published: March 1st, 2008 | 1:45pm

When Giant Microbes CEO Drew Oliver founded the Chicago-based company in 2002, he expected the plush replicas of disease-causing microbes to resonate with teachers and physicians looking for educational tools and with people looking for an offbeat “get well soon” gift.

Although doctors and teachers have purchased microbes for classrooms and clinics all over the country, the company sells the bulk of its products to the general public, most of which are looking for a good gag gift. It’s hard to believe the former Harvard Lampoon editor didn’t predict the comic value of the line.

After all, nothing says Happy Birthday like a cute and cuddly herpes virus. That’s right, in addition to common maladies such as the flu, bad breath, and athlete’s foot, Giant Microbes sells a line of “Venereals” as well as more than a dozen other lines, including “Calamities” (Black Death anyone?), “Critters” (maggots, bed bugs, and the like), and “Tropicals,” which currently includes only malaria.

The company still sells a separate and more serious “Professionals” line aimed at teachers and physicians that includes HIV, Hepatitis, TB, and Polio. All the dolls retain somewhat of an educational bent, however. For just $7.95, each 5-inch lovely comes with a photograph of the original microbe and an informational sheet about it.

Giant Microbes are available at hospital gift shops, novelty stores, and giantmicrobes.com.