Most smiles begin with another smile. The classic Hoptimist is the epitome of smiles, optimism and good humour, spreading joy wherever it appears with its clear, cheerful colours and round, harmonious expression.

With a strong belief in the power of the smile, Gustav Ehrenreich created his cheerful Hoptimist movement in the late 1960s. The goal was to create a character that would form an eternal reminder to stay positive and optimistic. For although the 1960s are often referred to as "The Happy 60ies", the decade was marked by turmoil. Therefore, Ehrenreich's design was a welcome source of joy in an otherwise rather turbulent time.

Bimble and Bumble represent the very first Hoptimists from the designer's hand: a girl dressed for school with smiling eyes and an attentive boy with a cotter pin on his head. The cheerful Hoptimists are h..