MATTEL

Mattel Inc. is the world's largest toy importing company based on revenue. The products it produces include Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. It was founded in 1945 by Harold "Matt" Matson and Elliot Handler (hence the name "matt-el"). Handler's wife, Ruth Handler, later became president, and is credited with establishing the Barbie product line for the company in 1959.

In 1968 Mattel introduces Christie, the African-Amercian doll, the first of many ethnic Barbie friends, which will include Theresea (1988) and Kira (1990), Barbie’s Latina and Asian friends. In 1997 Becky, a disabled doll in a wheelchair was joining to Barbie’s friend as well.

For 2002 Mattel had acquired some companies, increasing its product line including American Girl, Poly-Pockets, Harry Potter, Little People, Max Steel, Barney, Yu-Gi-Oh!, My Scene, The Ello Creation System, and Sesame Street.