Mattel

The name Mattel is a combination of the names of its two founders, Harold "Matt" Matson and Elliot Handler, who together started the company in 1945. Later, Elliot Handler's wife, Ruth, joined the management team and was responsible for the introduction of a new product line, the Barbie doll.

The Barbie doll from Mattel

The first Barbie doll was released in 1959 and presented an idylic American lifestyle. By day she sunbathed on the beach in a black and white one-piece swimsuit, and at night she attended concerts in an elegant black dress. The first Barbie came with a beach bag, sunglasses, and a freestanding microphone to practice her singing.

Mattel becomes a global brand

But the company celebrated its greatest success in 1960 with the talking doll Chatty Cathy. From then on, Mattel became one of the leading toy manufacturers in the USA and eventually the largest toy manufacturer in the world. With dolls for the girls, action figures and Hot Wheels cars for the boys, and board games for the whole family, Mattel has something to suit everyone.

Mattel facts and figures

• Founded: 1945 in California, USA
• Founders: Harold Matson and Elliot Handler
• The most famous Mattel toy is the Barbie doll, which has five siblings (four sisters and one brother), two cousins, one aunt, 63 friends, and during a breakup with Ken Carson went out with Blaine from Australia!