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Infographic: Heeeeeerrre's Alphie

Published: March 1, 2017 • By Christie Sounart

We all know and love Ralphie. But let鈥檚 not forget about 鈥� Alphie鈥� 鈥� Ralphie鈥檚 cousin and the world鈥檚 only known inflatable fur buffalo. An unmistakable presence at CU Boulder festivities (usually outdoors), the friendly giant recently made a trip to San Antonio for the Buffs鈥� Alamo Bowl appearance. When he鈥檚 off the clock, Alphie lives at the Koenig Alumni Center.

alphie infographic

Facts about Alphie, the inflatable Buffalo

2002:听Alphie's debut听
2016:听Alphie 2's debut

Lafayette, Colo:听Alphie's birthplace (in the Boulder Blimp Company)听

Some of Alphie's travels:听California, Massachusetts, Texas, Winter Park Resort, Denver Zoo

1,985.5听miles to Foxborough, Mass., farthest known destination听

32听number of Alphie appearances in 2016听

Inflating Process听

960听pounds of weights securing him in place听
30听minutes typical inflation time
15听minutes deflation time
2听electric blowers to inflate
3听"Alphie handlers" inflate him

Fun Facts:听

Only known furry buffalo in the world.

After Alphie's first inflation, designers decided to flip his horns to makehim seem more aggressive.听

Alphie 2 has new eyes more like a live buffalo's

Making Alphie:听

6听weeks start to finish
30听hours to design
20听hours to cut the material
180听hours for six sewers to stitch听
122听yards of fur fabric (interior is nylon)

听

Alphie's namesame is Ralphie, CU Boulder's live buffalo mascot听

Size听

12 feet deep
25 feet wide
20 feet high听

213听pounds deflated, approx.听

584.458听cubic feet in volume听

Issue: Spring 2017

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