Tickle Me Elmo is a children's toy from Tyco Preschool, a division of Tyco Toys

Tyco Toys

Tyco Toys is an American toy manufacturer. Since 1997 it has been a division of the Mattel toy company.-History:Mantua Metal Products was a Woodbury Heights, New Jersey, metalworks business founded in 1926 by John Tyler and family...

, based on the character Elmo

Elmo

Elmo is a Muppet character on the children's television show Sesame Street. He is a furry red monster and currently hosts the last full 15 minute segment on Sesame Street, Elmo's World, which is aimed at toddlers. His puppeteer, Kevin Clash, uses falsetto to produce his voice...

 from the children's television show, Sesame Street

Sesame Street

Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...

. When squeezed, Elmo would chortle. When squeezed three times in a row, Elmo would begin to shake and laugh hysterically.

The toy was introduced in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 in 1996, quickly becoming a fad. Some parents literally fought other parents in stores to purchase one for Christmas.