Although invented by noted North Dakota entrepreneur Harold Schafer as a product for his Gold Seal Company, the iconic Mr. Bubble brand eventually left the Peace Garden State. After a circuitous journey, however, it returned to its roots in the Upper Midwest, and today, Mr. Bubble is made in Minnesota, as one of the many household name brands that are produced in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Harold Schafer, a successful North Dakota entrepreneur and founder of the Gold Seal Company, invented Mr. Bubble in 1961.
Allen/Flickr
At first, it was a commercial flop.
Within a year or two, though, the formula was tweaked to lower manufacturing costs, and it was reintroduced at a lower price point.
Mr. Bubble/Facebook
From there, Mr. Bubble took off and became a hit with the burgeoning Baby Boomer families who were filling American suburbs.
Mr. Bubble eventually made its way into the cultural zeitgeist.
Mr. Bubble/Facebook
You can find pop culture references to the now-iconic brand in movies, television, and even stand-up comedy.

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The Gold Seal Company was acquired by Airwick Industries in 1986, and from there, Mr. Bubble underwent a series of transfers and acquisitions.
Ruin Raider/Flickr
Finally, in 2008, Mr. Bubble was purchased by The Village Company - which was located in Chaska at the time and now has its headquarters in my town of residence, Eden Prairie.
As a proud Minnesota brand, Mr. Bubble pops up all over the place in the Land of 10,000 Lakes - you never know where you might run into him!
Mr. Bubble/Facebook
In 2011, Mr. Bubble hosted its 50th birthday celebration at the former Waterpark of America, billed as the World's Biggest Bubble Bath.
Since being acquired by The Village Company, the Mr. Bubble line of products has expanded beyond bubble bath.
Mr. Bubble/Facebook
But, of course, you can still find the classic Mr. Bubble that we all knew and loved as children.

I, for one, am happy to have Mr. Bubble in my backyard. You can learn more about the brand on The Village Company website, or follow Mr. Bubble’s adventures on the brand’s Facebook page. You can even find all sorts of Mr. Bubble fan merch on Etsy these days.

Did it surprise you to learn Mr. Bubble is made in Minnesota, or was this something you knew already? What are some other iconic Minnesota brands that folks may not know about? Let us know in the comments!

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The Village Company, 10000 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, USA