First Ken

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Curators' Team
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1961
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2025
Source
Mattel
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N/A
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 12 inches tall in response to complaints that Barbie was 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 'brownette' hairstyle a year later. Handler and designer Charlotte Johnson advocated for Ken to have some genitalia, at least a ‘bulge’ in his trousers; however, male executives at…

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Curators' Team
Item Year
1961
Year Added
2025
Location
N/A
Source
Mattel

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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 12 inches tall in response to complaints that Barbie was 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 'brownette' hairstyle a year later. Handler and designer Charlotte Johnson advocated for Ken to have some genitalia, at least a ‘bulge’ in his trousers; however, male executives at…
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ADDED BY
Curators' Team
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 12 inches tall in response to complaints that Barbie was 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 'brownette' hairstyle a year later. Handler and designer Charlotte Johnson advocated for Ken to have some genitalia, at least a ‘bulge’ in his trousers; however, male executives at Mattel disagreed, and therefore, the smooth groin area was the compromise. After more than forty years…



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