It was all started by mouse ears

My collection of hats.

Visit Disneyland any time of the year, and chances are you'll see hundreds of them, whether in stores or lying atop someone's head. They come in every color, size, shape and form, and can be personalized with your name or anything else under 15 letters. If you ride Universal Studios Hollywood's Jurassic Park ride, you may even see one floating next to your boat.

Of course, I'm talking about the enormously popular Mickey Mouse ears, a souvenir most Disney guests opt to purchase during their visit. The hats, a simple design with mouse ears attached, are about $15 a pop and often feature the famous mouse on the front. But why are they so popular? And why do some people become obsessed with the ears, purchasing a pair in every color and edition?

I don't know, and I am one of those people. Every time I visit the park, I have to buy a new pair of ears, even if the design is nothing special. I even purchase the accessory outside of the park, like when I go to a local Disneyland Outlet store. They were only $1 each, by the way. I couldn't pass them up.

Just a few of the many Mickey Mouse ears.

The hats have an extensive and rich history, dating back to the 1950s and The Mickey Mouse Club show. Roy Williams, a Disney Studios employee, invented the ears and suggested the Mouseketeers wear them, causing a huge sensation with Disney fans.

Now sold at every Disney theme park and even on the web, Mickey Mouse ears have become a sort of icon for the Disney Company, with everyone from cast members to celebrities spotted wearing them. And for good reason, since there's a hat for every personality. In fact, you could probably find a hat for every subject and holiday, ranging from Halloween to 4th of July. My personal favorite is the gold 50th Anniversary ears, which are no longer available at Disneyland, only online.

What's your favorite Mickey Mouse ear? Do you prefer leopard print, antlers, pink, classic black, or a different variety? Or are you one of the few who dislike any form of these hats? Tell me!