The Duck
Florentijn Hofman's Rubber Duck is a 54-foot inflatable duck that has traveled to harbors, rivers, and waterways in more than 30 countries since its debut in 2007. The duck is yellow. It is very large. It is made of PVC. Its effect on humans appears to be unconditional delight — people of every age, nationality, and temperament have been photographed smiling at the duck. No one has yet been able to explain exactly why a giant rubber duck in a harbor is so reliably enjoyable.
The First Deflation
The first documented significant duck incident occurred during the duck's installation in Sydney, Australia. Strong winds deflated the duck, which then drifted in an undignified manner through the harbor before being recovered. Hofman's team treated this as a technical setback. The media treated it as a small tragedy.
Pittsburgh, 2013: The Vandalism
During the duck's installation in Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Arts Festival, the duck was found partially deflated on the morning of September 23, 2013. Investigators found damage consistent with a deliberate puncture. No suspect was identified. The Pittsburgh duck was repaired and re-inflated. The incident generated international news coverage roughly proportional to the duck's size. A person had punctured a giant rubber duck in Pittsburgh and briefly made it a matter of global concern.
The Hong Kong Incident
During the duck's visit to Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour in 2013, one of the two ducks on display (the installation briefly featured twin ducks) suddenly deflated. Witnesses photographed the collapse in real time. The deflation was attributed to a valve failure, but this was disputed by some observers who noted the suspiciously convenient timing. Hong Kong's duck deflation became a meme.
The Broader Pattern
Across its many international installations, the Rubber Duck has experienced deflations, unauthorized interactions, theft attempts, and at least one ransom demand (the details of which remain obscure). Security around duck installations has been progressively increased. The duck now travels with insurance and a dedicated installation crew. Giant rubber duck security is a real profession that exists.
Why People Steal Inflatable Ducks
The motivations behind giant rubber duck interference appear to vary. Some incidents appear to be genuine protests — against the commercialization of public space, against the city spending money on art installations during difficult economic periods. Some appear to be pranks. Some appear to be genuine theft attempts, though the logistics of stealing a 54-foot inflatable duck without anyone noticing have proven consistently challenging. The duck persists.