Down the Rabbit (or Bear) Hole

I bought this cute little green plastic bear pin at the same time as the Burberry’s cape. It was marked “Dart Ind, Inc. Brown Bear Made in China” on the back. I assumed it was some kind of aughties Sanrio-type thing, so I didn’t bother researching it until now.

It turns out that Dart Industries is some kind of mega-conglamerate with interests in chemicals and plastics, drug stores, consumer products, glass containers, land development and direct sales (Tupperware). Brown Bear (who is obviously green) is a result of some sort of cross-over between the chemicals and plastic division and the Tupperware section. The founder of Dart Industries, Justin Whitlock Dart, Sr, helped convince Ronald Reagan to run for president.

I fear that if I research this bear any further, it’ll end up like that episode of 30 Rock where Liz Lemon finds out that her jeans are made by Halliburton.