Gumby as a cultural icon is a bit mystifying until you look beneath the surface. Gumby is made of a flexible rubber plastic and painted green. But it’s more what he is a symbol of than what he is in actuality. Gumby is much like all of us. He’s a bit awkward and funny. Gumby is loved because of how he is the image of us all. We all want to be loved and accepted faults and all. Gumby makes us laugh for that reason as well.

Gumby has the rare ability to lighten up the most serious room by his mere presence. He can cheer up a sick patient in a hospital, make an imposing businessman seem more human and even make a trip to the dentist entertaining. Wherever Gumby resides there is happiness. That’s quite an accomplishment for a single toy.