Every once in a while, a few ideas come by and completely change our world. Be it entrepreneurs or inventors, this big idea is something that they all dream of. But what if you end up with two out-of-the-world ideas, and they both come from people in the same family?
This month in the Origin Story, we answer this question by taking you through the journey of two toys that changed playtime forever.
The protagonists behind both these toys are Ruth and Elliot Handler – the husband and wife pair who revolutionised the toy industry with their company Mattel. In fact, we still play with the toys that they created over half a century ago.
What two iconic toys did this couple make?
We have a feeling you might have heard of them ?
Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels!
Barbie: Capturing your imagination for 70 years
What inspired Ruth Handler to make the Barbie doll?
An aspiring businesswoman, Ruth was always on the lookout for new ideas. One day she realised that her daughter and her friends used to play with paper dolls for hours. Thats when Ruth got the idea to make a more durable version of such dolls.
The first Barbie doll – named in honour of Ruths daughter Barbara – launched in1959 was a massive hit!
Barbies Extended Family
Over the years as children grew to love Barbie, additional dolls were added to the Barbie universe to make playtime more fun! While Barbie doll doesnt have a baby or a husband, she has many friends! In fact, Barbies friend Ken is named after the couples son Kenneth.
Barbie with Ken and other dolls in the Barbie universe
What makes Barbie special?
This was the first time that a doll was made to look like a woman and not a baby. While playing with the Barbie doll, young girls could aspire to grow up to be independent, working women. Barbie dolls have notably shown over 180 careers since its inception.
Barbie dolls depicting different careers
By the early 1960s, the success of the Barbie doll made Mattel extremely popular. However, Elliot Handler realised that while the world played with toys that he made, his own grandsons favourite toy was a car made by a different company! This drove Elliot to make the next greatest toy to change the world.
Hot Wheels: Racing to first place the last 60 years
How were Hot Wheels made?
Elliot Handler formed a special team consisting of General Motors car designers and NASA scientists and asked them to make a fast, toy car that children would love.
The first Hot Wheels car to hit the shelves was a replica of a car called Camaro in 1968. From that point on, there was no looking back. Hot Wheels was an instant hit, and today they are the most sold toy in the world!
A vintage Hot Wheels toy car
What makes Hot Wheels special?
Hot Wheels are relatively cheap compared to other toys and their huge variety created a culture of collecting these toys.
A collection of Hot Wheels toy cars
To support this, Hot Wheels also launched special collector series toy cars. They even collaborated with real car manufacturers, Formula 1 teams, and comic book companies like Marvel and DC for some of these series!
All it takes to make a lasting impact on the world is one simple idea. Thats what the Handlers pursued. Do you have an idea for a toy that can change the world? Let us know in the comments.
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Deepthi is an ambivert who is on a steady diet of good food, filter coffee, and self-improvement. Being an ardent reader, storytelling has been her first love and she enjoys exploring how to convey stories compellingly. Having studied psychology and experienced the learning and development field, Deepthi is driven to understand human behavior and to know what makes each of us unique. You are most likely to find her tucked into a cozy corner at a local cafe with a Kindle or a book in hand. If you find her there, stop by and say hello, she'd be eager to learn your story too. Until then, you can ping her at storyweavers@byjus.com for anything you may like to share.
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Comments
PREET
May 30, 2020
That’s amazing
Swastika
May 30, 2020
I also loved to play with barbie dolls, I had over 10 dresses, pairs of fashionable shoes, makeup kit, doll house, pets and other barbie accessories. I used to watch movies like Secret Spy Squad, Princess Power and Princess Charm School. Even today if an action princess movie appears, than I’m gonna see it. Hey, how many people have seen Frozen 2?
Srishti Kashyap
May 31, 2020
wow! I didn’t knew the beautiful Barbies that I used to play with (and spoil hair or face in experiment) and the hotwheels that the boys of my class would hide in there pockets belong to the same family.?????
Pooja. V
June 1, 2020
I love to play with barbie dolls. They are amazing.
Bhoomi Purohit
June 3, 2020
OMG I grew up surrounded by an ocean of Barbies and Hotwheels!??
???? Now I know why Hotwheels makes Barbie version of cars and Barbie makes Racer dolls. And both toys belong to Mattel.
Nandana
June 6, 2020
It’s amazing
Kashish
June 8, 2020
Wow that amazing
Iqra Aiman
June 8, 2020
I love barbies very much ??????
Vishwas Singh
June 23, 2020
I think Barbie and hot wheel universe should Collab with Marvel universe