Easily the most iconic and popular souvenir from any Disney theme park is the classic Mickey Mouse ears, wearable as either a hat or a headband. But did you know the history behind them?

The original Mickey Mouse ear cap was created for the 1955 Mickey Mouse Club television show, where they were developed by the “Big Mooseketeer,” Roy Williams. Williams took inspiration from the 1929 Mickey Mouse cartoon short, The Karnival Kid, in which Mickey is seen tipping his ears to Minnie as though they were a hat. The original ears were made out of a felt cap, with plastic ears, and were a part of the classic Mouseketeer uniform seen on the show.

The ears in the form of a cap have long been sold at Disney theme parks around the world, though it wouldn’t be until the 1980s that they were introduced in a new wearable form, as a headband. The headband ears quickly became one of the best-selling souvenirs at Disney parks at this time, and they became even more popular when the company added a red and white polka-dotted bow to debut Minnie ears.

Today, the ears in both cap and headband form can be found at virtually every gift shop on a Disney park property, in addition to being seen at many Disney retail stores at locations around the country. Ranging between $15-$20, they make for an affordable souvenir from the parks. Many Disney aficionados have taken to collecting them these days, as there’s themed ears for just about any other Disney property – princess ears, villain ears, Star Wars ears, even Marvel ears. The Minnie headbands have become quite fashionable, picking up on all sorts of trends and being released in numerous trendy colors such as “millennial pink,” rose gold, and even sparkling iridescent hues.

With Mickey and Minnie celebrating their 90th birthday this week, on November 18, it’s more obvious than ever that the classic ear cap is as iconic as it’s ever been.