Mattel Celebrates 75 Years of Driving Culture Forward
Mattel Celebrates 75 Years of Driving Culture Forward
Some of the most innovative companies in the world were started out of a garage, and legendary playmaker Mattel is no different. More than just a toy company, Mattel began its journey in 1945 under the original “Mattel Creations” name as a masterful collaboration between founders Ruth and Elliot Handler, and Harold “Matt” Matson — the Mattel name itself is a portmanteau of ‘Matt’ and ‘Elliot.’ They were skilled designers and engineers by trade who cultivated a design-led approach to toys that eventually changed how kids play forever.
Mattel Creations was a bold experiment — it was a hive of creativity that attracted some of the most creative innovators from fashion designers to mega pop stars, working both inside and outside the company. Because Mattel was founded as a creations company, they thrived at the intersection of culture and play. That’s why Mattel has always been more than just a brand that sells toys; it’s a place for invention where the end product is always another person’s dream realized. Mattel’s success is driven largely by one of the most fulfilling jobs you could have: “Inspiring young minds to imagine better.”
From Hot Wheels to Barbie, Fisher-Price to Viewmaster, He-Man to Polly Pocket, there isn’t a more diverse or culturally significant collection of toy brands in the world that’s impacted as many lives as Mattel has. When timing, style, and storytelling come together, a toy transcends its role as a plaything and becomes more than just part of culture — it drives it.
This story started in 1945, in a garage.
The sign outside read “Mattel Creations”. The people inside were innovating at the intersection of culture and play long before “design led innovation” and “cultural influencer” were known practices and buzzwords.
As Mattel continues to celebrate 75 years of innovation, we’re taking a look at some of its most iconic moments and collaborations that shifted the pop-cultural landscape, as well as what’s in store for the future of Mattel with Mattel Creations.
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Named After the Founders’ First-Born, Mattel Launches Barbie
Arguably Mattel’s most iconic property, Barbie unleashed the imaginations of millions of young girls by letting them live out adult lives on their own terms. Barbie’s image as a confident and independent woman was bolstered by the hundreds of careers she’s held over the years.
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Barbie Beats Neil Armstrong to the Moon
Barbie took her first spacewalk before man did — showing girls everywhere that they could be anything and literally reach for the stars.
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Twiggy Is a Doll
The iconic British model and actress was the first Barbie doll made in the likeness of a real person.
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Hot Wheels Races To The Top
Hot Wheels ran laps around the die-cast competition with its nearly-impossible to break cars, quickly becoming the number one selling toy in the world and largest auto manufacturer in its iconic 1:64 scale form factor.
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Uno Becomes the Number Uno Game in the World
The #1 card game in the world, Uno launched in a barber shop in Ohio in 1971 and has become the perfect canvas for collaborations from Jean-Michel Basquiat, *NSYNC and The Office.
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Masters of the Universe Finds the Power
He-Man’s popularity helped shape the syndicated cartoon market in the 1980s while eventually becoming one of the most culturally important entertainment properties — the ultimate test of creativity and collaboration.
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The Beatles Hits the Thomas Track
Ringo Starr came aboard the Thomas the Tank Engine show when it debuted in the 80’s as the narrator of the series, sparking the interest of parents while being children-friendly.
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Barbie Becomes Warhol’s Muse
Pop artist Andy Warhol, known for painting images of iconic American names and brands, took on Barbie as his latest subject.
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Polly Pocket Hits it Big (or Small) With ‘90s Nostalgia
Every 90s kid remembers Polly Pocket and with more than 20 million toys sold, these miniature playsets hit it big with designers who were coming of age, like Mimi Wade — further cementing these tiny toys as big inspiration.
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Barbie becomes Karl Lagerfeld’s latest model
Life-size Barbie dolls were paired with male fashion models to display couture looks at a Karl Lagerfeld exhibition at the Paris boutique, to further inspire a Barbie and Lagerfeld limited edition doll for fashionistas everywhere.
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Fisher-Price Goes Designer
One of the first Fisher-Price toys in 1931, Coach reimagined Doctor Doodle through a bag collection providing you’re never too old to wear your childhood on your sleeve partner, and at the same time Jonathan Adler reimagined your child’s nursery with high-end looks.
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Hot Wheels Goes Electric
Top designers across Hot Wheels and Tesla created something wildly exciting for the most rabid of toy collectors — a $400 limited-edition 1:10 scale R/C Cybertruck (which sold out in mere hours) to bring the hottest automobile home for any fan.
From Supreme to Travis Scott, to Mario Kart, Bape, and more, Mattel has cultivated an unparalleled roster of partners that are truly on the pulse of culture to create meaningful collaborations and timeless, must-have collectibles. Look for more to come very soon.
