A Birthday Decades in the Making: Celebrating Robert the Doll
David L. Sloan, Robert the Doll's Dolltender and expert, outside the historic Steiff Factory in Giengen an der Brenz, Germany, where Robert was created in 1904. Locals once charmingly nicknamed the glass-walled factory the "Virgin Aquarium" (Jungfrauen-Aquarium) due to the numerous female workers visible through its transparent façade.
Every October 25th, a special celebration takes place at the East Martello Museum in Key West. While the day is also a somber one, marking the tragic passing of Elena Milagro Hoyos, it is also the day the museum honors the world's most famously haunted doll and celebrates Robert the Doll's birthday.
But why this date? The story of Robert's origin is intrinsically linked to his original owner, Robert Eugene "Gene" Otto.
The Legend of the Date
The long-standing tradition says that Robert the Doll was given to Gene Otto as a gift for his fourth birthday on October 25th, 1904. Because of the inseparable bond between Gene and the doll, it made sense to celebrate their birthdays on the same day. This practice has been an official part of Robert's life since he went on display at the museum, with celebrations taking place since at least 1996. The tradition has grown so much that Robert receives dozens of birthday cards each year, famously including well-wishes from multiple U.S. presidents, starting with George W. Bush in 2005.
A Journey to Confirm History
For years, the 1904 creation date was part of the doll's lore, but cited dates ranged from 1900 to 1909. In May of 2025, Robert's Dolltender, and renowned Robert the Doll expert, David L. Sloan, visited the Steiff Factory in Germany. During this visit, he verified Robert's 1904 creation date, cementing this pivotal year in his official history.
A Leo, Not a Scorpio?
While the world celebrates Robert on October 25th, a fun detail emerges from his origin story. Given that he was manufactured by Steiff in Germany, Robert would have needed to travel across the Atlantic by ocean liner and then take another ship to Key West. This journey would have taken a couple of months, meaning his actual "birth" (manufacturing date) was likely sometime earlier in 1904, probably around August.
This means that while he celebrates his birthday as a Scorpio (along with Gene), he's technically a Leo. This might just explain why his favorite companion is his trusty stuffed lion, aptly named Leo.
No matter the exact date of his creation, October 25th remains the special day to honor Robert, his history, and the child spirit his caretakers nurture.
Happy Birthday, Robert!
