Mattel 95 co-founder dies

NEW YORK (AP)-- Elliot handler, who, with his wife, grew up in Mattel Inc. of a small home-frame photo business in the largest U.S. toy manufacturer and creates the Hot Wheels brand, died Thursday. He was 95. the company produced first frames, but Manager began making doll's house furniture and other wood with waste toys. First product hit Mattel was a "Uke-A-Doodle," a child size ukulele and the Burp gun, a cap pistol.Success of Mattel took off after he made a bet and bet value net all the time $ — 500 000 - a sponsorship of Disney and ABC "" Mickey Mouse Club. "" The show was a success and Mattel became a household name. Its turnover increased by $ 5 million to 14 million dollars over three years.Manager's wife Ruth created the Barbie doll in 1959, by naming their daughter. The doll quickly became an American icon and the touchstone of cultural politics. Today, it is one of the best of Mattel performing brands. Ruth died in 2002 at the age of 85. Ken was named after their son Kenneth and other Barbie dolls were named for the grandchildren.In the 1960s, trying to create a toy that would be as big a success with boys as Barbie was with girls, Elliot hit on an idea for vehicles of miniature flow with elegant designs. Hot Wheels were introduced in 1968 and became a great success.Elliot and Ruth were appointed co-chairs of the Board of Directors of Mattel in 1973 and left the company in 1975. The couple was the first life inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 1989.Handler was born in 1916, the second of four brothers and grew up in Denver, Colorado. He met Ruth in 1932 at the age of 17. "We were very saddened to learn of the death of Elliot Handler, the founder of Mattel, who created some of the best-loved toys in the world,"Mattel, based in El Segundo, Calif., said in a statement. "It has not only inspired and happy employees of Mattel but generations of children around the world." 30 000 Mattel employees are proud to continue his legacy and the love of the game for future generations. We extend our sincerest condolences to his family. "Handler in mourning her daughter Barbara segal. His son, Kenneth died in 1994 of a tumour of the brain.