Hong Kong—The global toy industry and the city of Hong Kong are mourning the loss of L.T. Lam, the revered designer and industrialist credited with inventing the iconic little yellow rubber duck bath toy. Lam passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025, at the age of 105. His family has scheduled a farewell service for November 17 at the Nanhai District Funeral Home in his ancestral homeland, paying tribute to a figure whose creation symbolizes both childhood joy and the dawn of Hong Kong’s manufacturing dominance.
Lam Leung-tim, known simply as L.T. Lam, transcended humble beginnings shaped by wartime challenges to establish a monumental legacy in East Asia’s manufacturing landscape. His most enduring contribution, the buoyant, cheerful, and fire-resistant rubber duck, was personally conceptualized by Lam in 1948. This simple toy swiftly became a fixture in bathrooms worldwide, embodying an era of innovative manufacturing that put Hong Kong on the global industrial map.
Pioneering Industrial Development
The creation of the iconic bath toy marked several significant milestones beyond playrooms. The rubber duck is widely considered China’s first mass-produced plastic plaything, demonstrating Lam’s foresight in recognizing the potential of new materials post-World War II.
Lam was also among the initial wave of Hong Kong industrialists who strategically shifted production to the mainland. This move catalyzed broader regional industrial growth, setting a precedent for trans-border manufacturing that continues to define the region’s economy today.
His impact was formally recognized by the Hong Kong government in 2019 when he was awarded the prestigious Bronze Bauhinia Star for his profound contributions to both industry and society.
The Duck’s Enduring Message
Well into his later years, Lam remained deeply involved in civic life and cultural promotion through the lens of his beloved creation. In 2015, he launched a new venture dedicated to revitalizing the duck family concept. This ensemble featured a mother duck accompanied by three ducklings, designed to embody core values: love, wisdom, courage, and hope. This revived brand was officially named the LT Duck in 2017 and continued to be featured prominently at public exhibitions and community events across the city.
In a poignant public appearance in 2023 at the “LT. Duck Fun” Christmas multimedia showcase held at Central Market, Lam stood alongside his son, legislator Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung. On that occasion, the elder Lam emphasized the duck’s broader significance as a modern symbol of peace and harmony. He urged attendees to set aside differences, seek mutual understanding, and strive for communal unity, transforming the simple yellow toy into a powerful call for societal rapprochement.
L.T. Lam’s journey exemplifies the spirit of post-war Hong Kong: resilience, innovation, and global outreach. His legacy is not just the ubiquitous toy, but the foundational role he played in shaping Asian manufacturing and promoting a message of optimism that continues to resonate with generations worldwide. The indelible impact of his cheerful little creation ensures that Lam’s pioneering spirit will live on.