In 1945, Ruth link and Elliott Handler, with a friend, Harold Matson, founded a company called Mattel, which was formed  ( " Matt" for then-partner, Harold Matson and "el" for Elliott Handler). Ruth's name was not included although the men made the products and Ruth did the selling. Elliott started designing in Lucite and with the help of Harold started turning out giftware and decorative items in lucite, metal and wood. 

As time progressed while operating out of a garage, they began making wooden doll house furniture and plastic picture frames. Elliott decided to make doll furniture from the leftover wood. The earlier doll furniture sets are quite amazing even today.  The toys and doll house furniture did alright; but the company became very popular with the success of such toys as Uke-A-Doodle and a line of boys' toy guns.

After the official debut for the Barbie doll by 1966, orders were coming in so quickly, the company could not keep up. It took several years for Mattel to catch up with all the orders.

Ruth became the promoter of her husband's work by taking the new products to shops to sell. Ruth did well and Elliott's work became very popular and the Handlers moved into a house that Elliott had designed.

 In 1947 .. as Harold left the business; due to health reasons, Ruth Handler joined the business as an important partner and businesswoman. At that time, Harold sold his share to the company. The Handlers took charge and set out for a new direction with innovative ideas towards increasing a new desired growth. In 1955, while the family were on vacation in Germany,

Ruth found a doll based on a German Newspaper comic heroine. The doll was Lilli, manufactured by the German Newspaper, Bild. Ruth liked the concept of the fashion doll with wardrobes but wanted a more modern, American style; the friendly girl image, for a toy fashion doll. A toy doll for changing fashions was the concept that Ruth wanted and presented to the Mattel board for sometime. Ruth was influential; promoting her toy fashion doll and had the confidence in what she was learning as she encountered the public.

At first, most of Ruth's ideas of a fashion doll would be ignored; as too costly or simply not what the business market or consumer would buy. This would be the criticism, this young determined businesswoman set out to overcome and prove the success of her dream was possible.

Ruth's dream doll, Barbie, was tested and patented in the year of 1958. The doll was named after Barbara Handler, Ruth and Elliott's daughter. The first Barbie has similar odd eye features as the Lilli doll but with more of a high quality; with nicer hair and body design. The teenage fashion doll was constructed to wear 11 1/2" doll fashions.

Ruth's idea of a fashion doll, has evolved as a well established tradition and legacy to Mattel, Toys and beyond the earlier days when it all began with a new direction, exciting innovation and new possibilities to follow. By 1952, the company had moved five times to larger quarters. Mattel began advertising on children's television shows and sales went from $5 million to $14 million. By 1964, Barbie was a "million-dollar doll" and by 1993 a "billion-dollar toy doll." The Barbie doll's popularity has grown over the years with new exciting dolls and designs. The Barbie fashion doll has brought much joy and fun to millions of children and adult collectors worldwide.

The Number 1 Barbie & Number 2 can be seen with different eye paint. Ruth Handler, Barbie's mom pictured above. Number 1 and No. 1 heels-and from auction catalog book, Bild Lilli (doll not from my collection). See the Number 1 Barbie used at Toy Fair in New York. This doll was on display at the National Barbie Convention in Los Angeles, CA shown by Mattel.  Ad from Mattel catalog. The Number 1 Barbie and the Number 2 Barbie can be seen with different eye paint.

Toy fair Barbie's introduction..Exciting news for 1959..Mattel's teenage fashion doll.... 

Earlier...   introducing   the icon, Where did it all begin   In 1959, Mattel's new toy, named the Barbie teenage fashion doll, was available in the toy stores. Barbie had her official debut at the 56th Annual Toy Fair in 1959, located in New York City and selling more than 351,000 units at a price of $3.00 per doll. To date, the Barbie doll is the most famous toy doll ever made. Barbie has become an icon throughout the world. Barbie knows many generations and brings those generations together with an array of ideas to play time with one's own imagination, from children, to adult collectors; who collect and enjoy dressing and displaying their dolls in the Mattel Barbie fashions. With Barbie's extensive family tree, there's a doll for everyone to enjoy. continue>>