First Ken

The Kenneth Sean Carson doll, or Ken, named after Ruth Handler's son Kenneth, was introduced as Barbie's boyfriend in 1961. Also, from Willows, Wisconsin, Ken was made twelve inches tall in response to complaints about Barbie being single. Originally, Ken had straight arms that didn't bend and a head that could only turn sideways. His hair was made of felt and replaced with a plastic, molded blonde, brunette, and a 'brownette' color hairstyle a year later.…