Mattel, Inc. - Multicolored Vignette - Specimen Stock Certificate

Specimen Stock printed by American Bank Note Company. Awesome vignette of children playing with toys!

Mattel, Inc., founded in 1945 by Harold “Matt� Matson and Elliot Handler, began in a Southern California garage. Initially, the company produced picture frames and dollhouse furniture. The name Mattel was a portmanteau of its founders’ names, but Matson eventually sold his stake to Elliot and his wife, Ruth Handler.

The 1950s marked a turning point for the company. It transitioned from small-scale manufacturing to becoming a global toy powerhouse. This growth was fueled by the 1955 sponsorship of The Mickey Mouse Club. This allowed Mattel to market toys directly to children through television, a revolutionary strategy at the time. This strategy helped launch early hits like the “Burp Gun� and musical toys.

The company’s trajectory changed forever in 1959 with the debut of Barbie, a fashion doll inspired by Ruth Handler’s observations of her daughter playing with paper dolls. Despite initial skepticism from male executives, Barbie became an overnight sensation. This success laid the foundation for modern brand franchising.

Over the following decades, Mattel expanded its portfolio through internal innovation and strategic acquisitions. In 1968, the company introduced Hot Wheels. Later, it absorbed iconic brands like Fisher-Price and American Girl. Today, Mattel has evolved beyond a traditional toy manufacturer into a multifaceted intellectual property company. It leverages its historic catalog for blockbuster films and digital media.