The Iconic American Brands Are No Longer American

In 1959, Ruth Handler gave birth to Barbie, setting off an enduring legacy. Sixty-one years on, Barbie’s charm hasn’t faded, with Mattel, Inc. reporting annual sales of 58 million dolls, translating to over $1.5 billion in revenue.

Interestingly, Barbie’s roots are not in America but were planted in Japan in 1959 amidst Mattel’s post-WWII recovery efforts. Today, Mattel boasts four factories dedicated to Barbie in China, Malaysia, and Indonesia, marking a global production footprint.