If you're familiar with Winnie the Pooh and the rest of his pals from the Hundred Acre Wood, then you already know about his bouncy friend, Tigger, by extension. Arguably just as popular as his willy-nilly-silly-old bear counterpart, Tigger is arguably one of Disney's most popular characters.
Fans know Tigger as the bouncy, flouncy, trouncy, pouncy, fun-fun-fun-fun-fun member of Pooh's posse, but what they might not know is how Tigger was uniquely responsible for an invention that saves an estimated 10,000 people each year.
"Tigger" gives his heart to the world
Before Jim Cummings became the current voice actor for Tigger, the role was originated by comedian and ventriloquist Paul Winchell. A popular TV personality, Winchell's distinct vocal stylings made him an ideal choice for the "exuberant" character of Tigger.
Although many will know Winchell for his work in movies and television. The world will know him as one of the primary inventors for the first artificial heart. After returning to school at Columbia University, Winchell was responsible for several medical inventions, including a pump that would save millions of lives.
Per Time Magazine,
"After patenting his plastic heart pump in 1963, Winchell offered it to the American Medical Association and American Heart Association. Neither was interested at the time because Winchell had not produced a working model. But the University of Utah’s Dr. Willem Kolff was. Kolff, who had already invented the first artificial kidney that patients could use, looked over Winchell’s design and found it similar to one he had been working on. He invited the entertainer to work and experiment at the medical center (where Winchell also assisted in transplants)."
Tigger, like many Disney characters, has become a household name for his bouncy and fun-loving nature, but the man behind the hoo-hoo-hoo-hoos has likely earned an extra special place of honor for lengthening and saving the lives of likely millions since 1963. The Disney immortality was just icing on the cake for Mr. Winchell.
Has Tigger bounced in your heart?