In 1945, inside a modest garage in California, Mattel Creations was born&nbsp;-&nbsp;not with Barbie, but with picture frames. Founders Elliot Handler, Ruth Handler, and Harold “Matt” Matson soon pivoted from home décor to dollhouse furniture, and finally, toys. By 1947, their first hit - the Uke-a-doodle, a plastic ukulele - struck a chord with kids everywhere. Lights, Camera, Mattel!Mattel wasn’t just making toys - they were changing how the world saw them. In 1955, Mattel made history by sponsoring a 15-minute segment on the Mickey Mouse Club, the first toy company to advertise directly to children on TV. That move made Mattel a household name long before Barbie ever arrived. Barbie Changed the GameIn 1959, the world met Barbie, a stylish doll with an even bolder vision. She wasn’t just a toy - she was a cultural icon in heels. Ruth Handler designed Barbie to inspire imagination beyond baby dolls, and it worked. Barbie exploded globally, and Mattel had officially arrived on the big stage. Hot Wheels &amp; He-Man Take the WheelThe momentum didn’t stop. In 1968, Mattel launched Hot Wheels, turning kitchen floors into racetracks. By 1982, it introduced Masters of the Universe, unleashing He-Man and an army of action figures that ruled toy aisles through the '80s. From Polly Pocket to UNO, Mattel kept the hits coming. Mattel Goes DigitalFast forward to today, Mattel continues to blend nostalgia with innovation. Whether it’s launching Hot Wheels NFTs, reimagining Barbie for the digital age, or building immersive play experiences, the brand continues to evolve while staying true to its roots: creating toys that fuel imagination. More Than Just ToysMattel’s journey from garage-built dollhouses to global franchises is one of bold pivots, cultural milestones, and generations of play. And while the toys have changed, the mission hasn’t: inspire, imagine, play - repeat.

From Frame to Fame: The Mattel Story

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From Frame to Fame: The Mattel Story

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