LEGO® DUPLO® figures with hair: rare prototypes uncovered

LEGO® have tested many projects behind closed doors and usually we only see the results when the item makes it into production.  

We have a treat for you today,  as we have obtained a couple of rare prototype LEGO® DUPLO® figures with synthetic hair that escaped the test room in Billund. We are not certain, however, of the date these were explored. 

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Packaging

These prototype hairy LEGO DUPLO figures came attached to a cardboard support. 

Unfortunately, as you can see from the central image above, they are attached to the cardboard via their hair. We have only removed one of the prototype LEGO DUPLO figures with hair from their cardboard attachment, in case they are actually worth something.

Colour and type

There are two different hairstyle 'elements' in terms of colour; a blonde and a brunette. Interestingly, both have different hair types, using a scale of straight to curly.

The brunette appears to have naturally wavy hair, clearly visible despite still being attached to the cardboard backing. Colourwise, it is most similar to reddish brown (shown in the centre for comparison).

The blonde version has very straight hair that has a tendency to remain elevated from its natural position at the back.  The rather coarse synthetic fibres used seem to make the hair resistant to lying flat, despite numerous attempts to persuade it otherwise. Use of conditioner may help but was beyond the parameters of this article.

In terms of colour, this was just a shade or two off of white, probably best described as 'platinum blonde'. The 2x4 tiles shown for comparison are white, tan and bright light yellow.

Hairy LEGO family

While these LEGO DUPLO figures with hair are prototypes that never made it into production, it should be noted that there were LEGO figures with synthetic hair that did actually reach the shelves with the 1990s theme LEGO® Scala.

On the left, we have Auntie Jane in her lovely summer dress from set 3204 Auntie Jane and Cousin Sophie released in 1998.  Inexplicably, when she changed her clothes and left Cousin Sophie behind, this same doll was also known as Olivia. She appears in a few other sets e.g. 3135 Olivia in Fancy Wear released in 1999.

When comparing Auntie Jane/Olivia's hair with the LEGO DUPLO prototype, the main difference is that Auntie Jane is more likely to be a natural blonde or at least have a hair colourist that tends towards the more subtle hair colours.  Auntie Jane's hair is of longer length and wavy, with a tendency to get matted, although this can be explained in part by her lingering in a drawer since 1999.

Geometry

The blonde's hair can easily fit under the Arch 1 x 4 x 2 (6182), and is 7 modules long and one plate high. It was a little tricky to get the dimensions of the brunette as her hair remains attached to the backing, but it is of a similar length.

Connections

While there are no traditional connection points, it should be noted that the LEGO DUPLO figures with hair are widely compatible with the family of LEGO rubber band elements. 

A tidy ponytail can be achieved with all the rubber band lengths and colours shown above (from left to right):

• Technic Rubber Belt 33mm [Round Cross Section] in Yellow (85546)
• Technic Rubber Belt 24mm [Round Cross Section] in Blue, Green, Red (85544)
• Rubber Band Medium (Square Cross Section) in Black (71156)
•  Rubber Belt Small [15mm ID] [Round Cross Section] in White (85543)

Another useful connection was found using the Whip (61975); it is a secure fit and also aesthetically pleasing.

There are two further 'rubbery' elements that can hold the hair, but with less efficiency:

• Bent whip (88704 75216)
• Dog Harness (4309)

In terms of rubbery circular elements, there was one clear winner (other than the rubber bands of course). Coiled rope (13783) is not stretchy but its diameter is a near-perfect match for the LEGO DUPLO hair.

Finally, we have a range of other circular elements that have a looser clutch but could be used in a pinch:

• Lifebuoy with stud (30340)
• Barbed wire coil (62700)
• Chakram /ring (35485)

I do prefer hair in a bun, and so was tempted to try and achieve the popular hairstyle known as 'bunches':

I found that even with a middle parting, the hair was wider than the 3.18mm connection required for the bun (25386).

Play feature

The main play feature for any synthetic hair on a figure is brushing and styling.

To this end, the hair is compatible with the LEGO brush Minifigure, Utensil Hairbrush (3852) but with slight modification using Bar Holder with Clip (44873,11090) to take into account the larger LEGO DUPLO figures' hand size. The older, retired Belville / Scala, Equipment Hairbrush (71431) shown in medium green is also fully compatible as a hairbrush.  

Two more elements are compatible with the brushing hair play feature, although perhaps not as dignified, are:

• Animal Grooming Kit Comb (94719)
• Pitchfork (95345)

There are a few elements that sound potentially useful as a brush element but turned out to be fairly useless:

• Cutlery - Fork (97781)
• Equipment Comb with Handle and 3 Hearts (96482)
• Broom end (90826)
• Push brush/broom (3836)

Conclusion

While it might seem far-fetched to have LEGO figures with hair, it shouldn't be forgotten that synthetic hair has made it to the shelves before.  While these LEGO DUPLO figures are prototypes, one has to question if the risk of younger children sucking and chewing on, even potentially swallowing the hair was a reason for this product failing to advance from the testing room?

I'm not sure how I feel about the synthetic hair, other than the fact that the most appropriate theme to utilise such a thing would have been LEGO® Trolls. What do you think about the use of synthetic hair on figures?

 

READ MORE: Throwback Tuesday: 3x3 Technic beam discovered in 2019

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