Mattel is a household name that has been creating iconic toys for over 70 years. However, many people may not realize that it was not always the company behind the beloved Barbie doll.
Barbie’s Early Years
The first Barbie doll was created by Ruth Handler in 1959 while she was working as a market researcher for Mattel. She noticed that girls were often given baby dolls to play with, but they preferred playing with more adult-looking dolls. This led her to design the first Barbie doll, which had long hair and came in three different body types: slender, medium, and full figure.
In 1960, the Barbie doll was introduced to the market by Mattel, and it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Its success can be attributed to its unique design, affordable price, and clever marketing campaigns that targeted young girls and their mothers. The Barbie brand soon expanded to include other products such as clothing, accessories, and even a line of action figures for boys called “Ken.”
Mattel’s Ownership of Barbie
Mattel’s ownership of the Barbie brand has been relatively stable throughout its history, with only a few brief periods when other companies had control. In 1982, Mattel sold off its Barbie business to MCA Inc., which was later bought by Universal Studios in 1994. However, in 1997, Mattel reacquired the Barbie brand and has since maintained ownership.
During Mattel’s ownership of Barbie, the brand has continued to evolve and expand. In recent years, Mattel has introduced new lines of Barbie dolls that reflect diverse body types and skin tones, which has been met with criticism and praise alike. The company has also expanded the Barbie brand into other areas such as fashion design, movies, and even video games.
Other Companies’ Brief Control of Barbie
While Mattel’s ownership of Barbie has been relatively stable, there have been brief periods when other companies had control of the brand. In 2015, Sesame Workshop announced that it would be creating a line of Barbie dolls with autism spectrum disorder-friendly features, which was met with controversy and criticism from some parents and disability rights activists. However, Mattel eventually bought back the rights to the Barbie brand from Sesame Workshop in 2017.
Another example of a company briefly controlling Barbie came in 2018 when MGA Entertainment announced that it would be launching its own line of Barbie-branded dolls called “Moxie.” However, Mattel quickly sued MGA for trademark infringement, and the lawsuit was eventually settled out of court.
Summary
In conclusion, Mattel has been the primary company behind the iconic Barbie brand since its inception in 1959. While there have been brief periods when other companies had control of the brand, Mattel has maintained ownership and continued to evolve and expand the Barbie brand. The brand’s success can be attributed to its unique design, affordable price, clever marketing campaigns, and ability to adapt to changing cultural trends. Whether you are a fan of the classic Barbie doll or the new lines that reflect diversity and inclusivity, it is clear that Mattel has done an excellent job of maintaining the brand’s popularity and relevance for over 70 years.
