Big Ted's police uniform

item details

NameBig Ted's police uniform

ProductionTelevision New Zealand; 1972-1988; New Zealand

Classificationcostume, uniforms

Materialsrayon, felt, plastic

Registration NumberGH014712

Credit lineGift of Television New Zealand, 2005

Overview

This police uniform was worn by Big Ted, a Play School character.

All it takes to represent such a uniform is the colour blue and epaulettes on the shoulders. But the shiny fabric and tiny size of the uniform undermine its overall effect, considering that the police usually represent a higher form of authority, much higher than parents and teachers!

Epaulettes descend from military uniforms, as do other features of police uniforms in the real world, like shiny buttons and symmetrical pockets with buttoned flaps.

Play School

Play School was an iconic educational television programme which ran in New Zealand from 1975 to 1990. It was originally a BBC production in the United Kingdom. The New Zealand version was adapted for the local audience, with content relevant to New Zealand children including a Māori toy called Manu. The Play School toys - Big Ted, Little Ted, Jemima, Humpty and Manu - are instantly recognisable by New Zealanders who grew up in the 1970s to 1990s.