Today would have been RBG's 88th Birthday. To mark the occasion, we decided to put to together a people's history of sorts, documenting our unique relationship to her, as seen through the lens of social media.
As you'll see below, what starts as our story quickly becomes everyone's story. As the RBG phenomenon swept the country, we were just along for the ride with you, witnessing history - and a legend - in the making.
2017
It started with a conversation. Which led to a sketch...
Which led to a sculpture...
2018
By Spring of 2018, we knew the project was a go and we had already begun setting up a Kickstarter campaign for it.
We began teasing it out to test the waters.
We launched the Kickstarter campaign in June and it shot straight up to the #1 spot on their charts. Clearly, something special was happening.
While the Kickstarter campaign was still running, this happened.
Through a totally unpredictable twist of fate, RBG literally became the very first person to own an RBG Action Figure when a friend of ours had the opportunity to gift her a production sample at an event she was attending.
Her words, "I'm going to keep it on my mantle".
The Kickstarter campaign came to an end, with over 15,000 people backing the project.
By December, we'd fulfilled all of the Kickstarter orders and RBG Action Figures started showing up on store shelves all over the country.
Meanwhile, fan photos, like these started popping up as people got a hold of their figures. (These are just some of the very best ones... there are hundreds more like this!)
By the time the holidays com, RBG is showing up under Christmas trees.
These pics are everything for us. Remember, this is all happening right at the halfway point of Trump's presidency. People needed something to feel good about right then and RBG was that thing.
2019
By now, the action figure was just part of the Zeitgeist and we see it popping up all over the place.
She even made an improbable appearance on the red carpet at the Oscars!
She protested.
She partied.
She worked.
2020
And then, 2020 happened.
The pictures say it all. The figure unexpectedly took on a new role in helping people mourn.
2021
The year is still young. We'll see what it has in store.
One thing that's clear already is that people are not forgetting about her and moving on. She has become a symbol for so much, to so many, and it seems like that will probably never change.
We were witnessing the birth of a legend over the last few years.
To this day, the RBG Action Figure continues to be our best-selling item.
26 comments
I have always admired RBG and her civil rights work. I love that we share the same birthday and can celebrate with my RBG action figure. Thanks for meaningful action figures FCTRY. Long my RBG be remembered!
I had the absolute pleasure meeting Justice RBG in Washington DC in a tribute to her and book signing. Her sense of humor and candid comments were just delightful. She was strength, wisdom, humor and grace all in one amazing woman. I have several reminders of her but by far my favorite is her FCTRY figure who nailed her likeness and grit! Thank you for capturing RBG’s image so we never forget her ♥️
RGB was gleefully my first. I have since added Kamala, Barack, AOC, President Biden, and await my pre-order of Dr. Fauci. I adore them all but now have a BIG wish for a true hero of mine: Deb Haaland, confirmed this week as Interior Secretary. Such a concept, enit? An actual Native American in charge of our lands. Whatcha think?
I love your work. Thanks.
I don’t know how many I’ve gifted to friends and family. Everyone is delighted to be working and living under her wise gaze. I’m so glad to know she was given one. May she remain in our minds and hearts forever. Let’s now kick some voter suppression ass in her name!!!
Can’t wait for Dr. Fauci to arrive!
We miss your bad ass, Queen RGB! I greedily wish we had you hear longer. Not many people on the planet at once like you.. thanks for my sick action figure she is BEAUTIFUL and chills with Bernard on our mantle, total conicidents.. :) love HER!