Betsy Wetsy

Another one of my favorite dolls is Betsy Wetsy. Betsy has been around since 1934 as a composition doll, she was a star of doll manufacturers, Ideal Co., New York. She is named after the daughter of the head of the company.
Urinating after fluid is bottle fed to a open mouth, Betsy will also coo when her tummy is pushed. By the 1940's Betsy Wetsy began being produced in several sizes, she could be purchased in her layette, with her bottle, and tub.

Not only known for wetting, Betsy was made with separated toes, she also wore a baby bracelet with her name spelled out in beads. A spike in popularity by the 50's made Betsy and common sight in American homes. She was made with molded hair, saran hair (as in the example shown first), and caracul hair like mine which is pictured last. Caracul hair is yarn-like plugs, it came in brown, blond or red. Betsy was one of the first dolls to be issued in a African American version and was recently named in "The doll of the century", a prominent listing that includes the names of 100 playthings.

Ideal reissued Betsy Wetsy in the 80's with it being marked "made in China" but she never caught on.

One interesting note about Betsy.....prior the her existence, Effanbee (another large company) had already produced a drink and wet doll called "Dy-dee", Besty Wetsy was a remarkable look-a-like. Effanbee sued Ideal for patent infringement, the judge ruled wetting was natural and could not be patented.

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