| Today, the Mattel Toy Company employs | | | | Annalee Mobilitee Dolls, Inc. |
| approximately 25,000 people worldwide. Their | | | | Annalee Thorndike made her first doll as a young |
| vision is to be the world's premier toy brands - | | | | girl in 1934. Doll making was her hobby. She |
| today and tomorrow. | | | | turned the hobby into a commercial enterprise in |
| The famous Mattel Toy Company: How did it all | | | | the early 1950's. Annalee selected a theme and |
| begin? | | | | created a collection of dolls surrounding that |
| Ruth and Elliot Handler and Harold "Matt" Matson | | | | theme. Today, the Annalee Mobilitee Dolls |
| started a new company named Mattel in 1945. | | | | Company has become one of the country's |
| They started this company out of a garage | | | | premier makers of collectible dolls. |
| workshop in Southern California. Their first Mattel | | | | Annalee is known best for her pose sable dolls |
| products were picture frames. | | | | that feature a variety of mice, bears, rabbits, and |
| Elliot developed a side business in dollhouse | | | | other stuffed animals, along with human figures. |
| furniture made from the picture frame scraps. | | | | Her line of collectibles are about everyday events |
| Harold Matson sold out to his partners, Ruth and | | | | and occupations, seasons such as Christmas, |
| Elliot Handler. The Handlers experienced great | | | | Valentine's Day, Irish Celebration, Spring, Halloween |
| success with their doll furniture business and | | | | and Harvest Days. |
| turned the company's focus to toys. | | | | Ginny Dolls |
| In 1947, the first in a line of musical toys was | | | | The Ginny dolls represent a great American |
| produced. It was the Uke-A-Doodle. | | | | tradition and go back to the year of 1922. Jennie |
| In 1955, Mattel began advertising their toys | | | | Adler Graves established Ye Olde Vogue Doll |
| through the Mickey Mouse Club television show | | | | Shop in her home in Somerville, Massachusetts. |
| and introduced another extremely successful toy | | | | The story behind her start is of a friend, who |
| call the "Burp Gun." The Burp Gun was an | | | | knew Jennie's skill in sewing children's clothes, and |
| automatic cap gun based on a patented | | | | asked her to dress some dolls for a charity |
| mechanism. | | | | event. Jennie did not know the "friend" was |
| Barbie is born: | | | | actually selling the dolls rather than giving them to |
| In 1959 the ever so popular Barbie made her | | | | charity. Soon, Jennie Graves began dressing and |
| debut. Barbie was inspired by Ruth Handler's | | | | selling imported German dolls to Jordan Marsh, |
| daughter's fascination with cutout paper dolls. She | | | | which was a well-known Boston department |
| was a doll in which little girls could play out their | | | | store. |
| dreams. The name "Barbie" is after Ruth Handler's | | | | Jennie Graves was extremely successful until |
| daughter, Barbara's nickname. | | | | 1948. A sales dip in her line of existing dolls |
| Ken was introduced in 1961. Ken was Barbie's only | | | | inspired Mrs. Graves to introduce an 8" plastic doll, |
| boyfriend, and named for the Handler's son, Ken. | | | | the forerunner to Ginny. Department store |
| Soon Barbie and Ken were joined by friends of | | | | owners and consumers all loved the new doll. In |
| the Midge doll in 1936 and Skipper in 1965. | | | | 1951, Ginny was official, and named after Jennie's |
| Christie, an African-American doll was introduced | | | | daughter Virginia. The doll Ginny was so popular |
| in 1968. Christie was the first of many ethnic | | | | that many tried to copy her. By 1957, Ginny had |
| friends of Barbie that included Theresa in 1988 | | | | reached over five million dollars per year in sales, |
| and Kira in 1990. | | | | and was a dear staple in most American |
| Ruth and Elliot Handler, founders of Mattel, left the | | | | households. |
| company in 1975. | | | | Mrs. Graves retired from the company in 1960. |
| Candy Fashion Dolls | | | | There began a series of management and |
| The Candy Fashion dolls were originally produced | | | | ownership changes. Ginny underwent some |
| in 1962, and reintroduced by Charisma, Marie | | | | difficult years of change. |
| Osmond's company in January of 2006. In the | | | | In 1995, the "New" Vogue Doll Company pledged |
| 1960's, Candy Fashion dolls were "the dream of | | | | to restore Ginny to her deserved place in the |
| every girl." They could be found in supermarkets | | | | world of modern dolls. Ginny, the engaging little girl |
| across the country, and were best known as | | | | of the 1950's and known best for her love of |
| having "the most exquisite clothing." Candy Fashion | | | | fashion and fun attitude once again rises in the |
| dolls came with four complete ensembles and | | | | limelight of fine collectible dolls. |
| matching accessories. | | | | Kewpie Dolls |
| The Charisma Company has faithfully reproduced | | | | Ah, those ever adorable Kewpie Dolls, they are a |
| the original dolls using more quality materials to | | | | much-loved classic and based upon 1912 |
| last for generations of enjoyment and stylish play. | | | | illustrations of Rose O'Neill. Kewpie dolls are today |
| Charisma has also created a replica of the vintage | | | | produced by companies such as Effanbee and |
| box to display Candy and her four original fashions | | | | Charisma. |
| that include mannequin stands and accessories. | | | | |