Irving D. Chais
Encyclopedia
Irving D. Chais was an American
businessman and craftsman
who owned the New York Doll Hospital from 1964 until 2009. He also acted as "Chief Surgeon" for the hospital. Chais's grandfather, an immigrant from Germany, founded the establishment as a wig shop and beauty parlor, but in 1900 he converted to doll
repair after noticing a demand for the business.
Born in 1925, Chais graduated from the City of New York College
and joined the U.S Army. Chais fought in World War II
. After returning from the war he joined the family business. Chais bought the shop from his sister in the 1960s. Due to the unusual nature of his business, Chais and the hospital were regular subjects of newspaper articles.
Chais worked alongside two other employees and repaired thousands of dolls and other toys. He stated in an interview with The New York Times
that he once had a 90-year-old man come in to get a Popeye
doll repaired. “It was like he was a 6-year-old kid,” Chais said. “People get very attached to these things. Sometimes you have dolls and animals that have been in the family for five and six generations,” he said in another interview.
Chais ran the hospital until March, 2009. He died on April 24, 2009, after a long illness.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and craftsman
Artisan
An artisan is a skilled manual worker who makes items that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, clothing, jewellery, household items, and tools...
who owned the New York Doll Hospital from 1964 until 2009. He also acted as "Chief Surgeon" for the hospital. Chais's grandfather, an immigrant from Germany, founded the establishment as a wig shop and beauty parlor, but in 1900 he converted to doll
Doll
A doll is a model of a human being, often used as a toy for children. Dolls have traditionally been used in magic and religious rituals throughout the world, and traditional dolls made of materials like clay and wood are found in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe. The earliest documented dolls...
repair after noticing a demand for the business.
Born in 1925, Chais graduated from the City of New York College
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
and joined the U.S Army. Chais fought in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After returning from the war he joined the family business. Chais bought the shop from his sister in the 1960s. Due to the unusual nature of his business, Chais and the hospital were regular subjects of newspaper articles.
Chais worked alongside two other employees and repaired thousands of dolls and other toys. He stated in an interview with The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
that he once had a 90-year-old man come in to get a Popeye
Popeye
Popeye the Sailor is a cartoon fictional character created by Elzie Crisler Segar, who has appeared in comic strips and animated cartoons in the cinema as well as on television. He first appeared in the daily King Features comic strip Thimble Theatre on January 17, 1929...
doll repaired. “It was like he was a 6-year-old kid,” Chais said. “People get very attached to these things. Sometimes you have dolls and animals that have been in the family for five and six generations,” he said in another interview.
Chais ran the hospital until March, 2009. He died on April 24, 2009, after a long illness.