One of the most charming aspects of Joe Benders is their origin. In today's multi-million dollar, super-charged product design world, fans of Flying Ace Benders , Soccer Sue and Soccer Joe Benders, Hot Rod Benders and all the rest of the Bender line are delighted to learn the story of Steve Walterscheid, the Bender man.

The Bend, Oregon Bulletin newspaper recounted the birth of the Benders in a 2006 story by writer Anna Sowa. She writes, "The flexible statuettes are the 43-year-old's creation that in just six years rocketed him from a Portland bartender who tinkered with wire to an inventor of more than 100 Bender characters sold in at least 20 countries."

Most Benders have black, emotionless faces, so that Bender owners can shape them into any activity --- from grumpy caveman to calm yoga master .  As Walterscheid says, "Joe Bender can be anybody."

And, indeed, Benders run that gamut of athletes such as skiers , tennis players , rock climbers and kayakers to historical figures such as the two new Egyptian Benders, Tut and Cleo, complete with semi-accurate accessories --- flail and crook.

But it all began in 2000, with Walterscheid fiddling with copper-wired figures, in his Portland basement.  In those days, he called his characters Fat Stevies.  He discovered that coating the wire in vinyl made a skin-like appearance and adding magnetic hands and feet made them fun to play with. 

The Bulletin continues the Bender story:

"One night, at a party held at his restaurant and bar workplace, Walterscheid dropped Fat Stevies on some of the diners' plates. One diner was Paul Schneider, who owned three Portland craft and jewelry stores called Twist.

"They were just little human forms and they appealed to me," Schneider said, adding that Walterscheid's high energy sealed the deal. "Steve's just such a goofball. He has so much enthusiasm that you know he's doing this just because he wants to."

Schneider requested more figures, so Walterscheid began spending all night crafting mixed drinks for bar patrons, then spending all morning in his basement, bending pieces of metal into thousands of figurines.

After three months of working the "labor of love," Walterscheid decided to license his invention to Hogwild Toys, which developed the Benders name and handled manufacturing and distribution.

"For us it was a big deal," said Joe Rooper, president of Hogwild . "We knew we could promote the product; he just didn't have a name or marketing pizazz for it."

The Benders have found an enthusiastic audience at www.MyFavToys.com and My Favorite Toys, located at University Mall in Carbondale, IL.

"Benders are very popular among customers of all ages, says Samuel Cox, www.MyFavToys.com and My Favorite Toys co-owner.  Once kids and adults alike experience their first Benders, they are quickly back for more.

"And," Cox adds, "it doesn't hurt that www.MyFavToys.com  sells Benders at 10-15% discounts off regular retail