Smiley Hoptimist Small, Yellow

The original Smiley is the most commonly used emoji. Its delightful beaming smile spreads joy and optimism, and you can’t help but feel happy when you look at this smiling Hoptimist.

Emojis, also known as smileys, are used to express moods and emotions when our own smile cannot be seen. The little icon lends emphasis to what we write and how we feel. Its happy face bestows good cheer and positive vibes – just like the Hoptimist’s indomitable bounce spreads smiles from person to person.

With a strong belief in the power of smiles, Gustav Ehrenreich founded his happy Hoptimist movement in the late 1960s. The aim was to create a figurine that would serve as a constant reminder to stay positive and optimistic. For although the 1960s are often referred to as the “Swinging Sixties”, the decade was marked by unrest.

This made Ehrenreich’s design a welcome spreader of joy in an otherwise turbulent time.