- Elliot Handler
Elliot Handler (bornApril 9 ,1918 ) was the co-founder ofMattel . Originally called Mattel Creations, it has gone on to become the largest toy maker in the worldFact|date=April 2008. Handler was recently honored by Mattel with a 90th birthday party at its headquarters inEl Segundo ,California . Guests included his daughter Barbara, after whom theBarbie doll was named.Fact|date=May 2008Mattel was named after business partners Elliot andHarold Matson . Elliot's wifeRuth Handler took over Matson's role when the Handlers bought out his share in the late 1940s. Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the Barbie doll that debuted in 1959. The Barbie doll is still one of the top-selling dolls.Fact|date=May 2008Mattel introduced the
Chatty Cathy doll in 1960. Later dolls includedChatty Baby ,Charmin' Chatty , and toys made for cartoon favorites such asBugs Bunny andPorky Pig . TV characters such asHerman Munster andMr. Ed were also transformed into Mattel talking toys.Fact|date=May 2008Handler had a direct hand in the production of two Mattel product lines. In 1966 Mattel introduced smaller dolls called
Liddle Kiddles . Elliot said that he wanted them to resemble little children in neighborhoods across America.Fact|date=April 2008 They were sculpted by doll artistMartha Armstrong-Hand . "Kiddles" were a great success and continued to be produced in different versions until the early 1970s. Another product line wasHot Wheels , introduced in 1968, which is still produced today.Fact|date=May 2008References
*cite book |title=Chatty Cathy and her Talking Friends |last=Kettelkamp |first=Sean |year=1998 |publisher=Schiffer Publishing |isbn=0887409547
*cite book |title=Managing the Global Network Corporation |last=McKern |first=Bruce |year=2003 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=0415297052 |pages=p.130 |url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=c6gMdIzBFEEC&pg=PA130&dq=%22Elliot+Handler%22&num=100&as_brr=3&client=firefox-a&sig=XyIq-LmcmSDartb4pwLy583b7Vs#PPA130,M1
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