On this day, March 11, 1961, Barbie's friend Ken was "born."

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Ken (doll)


One of early 1960s Ken dolls wearing a swimsuit, with a box package and other accessories

First appearance; March 11, 1961; 63 years ago
Created by: Elliot Handler

In-universe information
Full name: Kenneth Sean Carson
Nickname: Ken
Occupation: At least 40 occupations

Family:
Edna Carson (mother)
Kenneth Carson (father)
Izzy Carson (sister)
Tommy Carson (brother)
Barbie (girlfriend)

Kenneth Sean "Ken" Carson Jr. is a fashion doll introduced by American toy company Mattel in 1961 as the counterpart of Barbie, who had been introduced two years earlier.

Similar to Barbie, Ken is from Willows, Wisconsin, and has a fashionable line of clothing and accessories (although he made his debut wearing only a swimsuit). In the Barbie mythos, Ken met Barbie on the set of a TV commercial and is her boyfriend, per promotional box inscriptions from his debut until 2018. As of September 2022, he is perceived as one of Barbie's main friends. Since his debut, Ken has held over 40 occupations, the latest being "beach" (standing in the sand and surveying the waves), as depicted in the 2023 Barbie film.

History

Ken was introduced as a male counterpart of Barbie by American toy company Mattel in 1961. He was named after Kenneth Handler, son of Barbie creator/inventor Ruth Handler, just as Barbie was named after her daughter. Ken Handler died in 1994 of a brain tumor.

{snip}

In February 2004, Mattel announced a split for Ken and Barbie, with Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, saying that Barbie and Ken "feel it's time to spend some quality time – apart...Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end", though Arons indicated that the duo would "remain friends".

{snip}

Ken appears to be a high-maintenance boyfriend. I don't think I could afford to keep him around.

#ddsquad
What Makes The Best Ken Doll? Realistic Clothes & Accessories| Hair| Face| Articulation
22,066 views Mar 5, 2022

DelightfulDolls
286K subscribers

Today I’m going to be telling you what I think makes the best Ken doll and what to look for and what to avoid when shopping for one and also where to find some awesome and realistic stuff for them! I hope you find this video helpful and interesting! I really enjoyed putting it all together for you

{snip}

Sat Mar 11, 2023: On this day, March 11, 1961, Barbie's friend Ken was "born."

Fri Mar 11, 2022: On this day, March 11, 1961, Barbie's friend Ken was "born."

Sun Mar 14, 2021: On March 11, 1961, Barbie's friend Ken was "born."

[Niagara]

1. You are Kenough.

Last summer, I purchased an incomplete (nude) Ken. I found out he's a 1988 Malibu Ken so now I'm on the hunt to find his swim trunks.


Thanks for the fun trivia!

[LuckyCharms]

2. .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/355400221744

[Niagara]

6. Thank you for your search, Lucky!

Those swim trunks that you found go to 1970 or 1971 Sunset Malibu Ken. They're reasonably priced though, I placed them on my watchlist.





I'm looking for these swim trunks.





I have to be careful on Ebay because I recently snagged a few Barbies only a few short days ago.


I like PoshMark too but it takes forever for the pages to load. I'm convinced PoshMark runs on dial-up.

[Harker]

4. Somewhere there's a tiny fig leaf... n/t

[Niagara]

7. It would be less expensive if I cut a green leaf off an artificial plant and just

stuck it on with painters tape.

[Harker]

8. He could play tennis in that get up!

There'd be giggling at the courts.

[Niagara]

9. I'm laughing so hard that I'm snorting, Harker.

I thought that you were suppose to be the shy and quiet one?




I'm not letting Ken see what you wrote.

[Harker]

10. I am a little shy, but I did come with clothing and accessories. n/t

[Niagara]

11. It's the little things that count.

I have to go and regroup for awhile, Harker.

[Niagara]

12. I have no fig leaves, but one of my ivy geraniums survived so far this winter.

Here's Malibu Ken's modeling his geranium leaf.


In my defense, I was left unsupervised.

[Harker]

13. Please tell me you didn't oil him up for the photo shoot.

With feet like that, who's going to notice the leaf?

I'm glad you didn't tell him to look straight at the camera.

[Niagara]

14. No, I didn't oil him up for the photo shoot.

Lol! The geranium leaf if now off and I have a wash cloth wrapped around his waist until I can find his original swim trunks.


It sounds like I might have to get him some shoes as well.


I've been photo shooting with some my Barbies too ...just in case I ever need to replace them for any reason.

[Harker]

15. Love the dragonfly pin!

Can't blame Ken for aiming high, but without a tux he might not get past 'pool boy.'

Nice, fun... Good luck finding the trunks, Niagara!

[Niagara]

16. Thank you, Harker!

Good idea! I didn't think about getting Ken snazzy attire to wear. Now that you suggested it, I think that I will.


I will definitely need good luck finding the trunks!

[Harker]

17. Sometimes the fun lies in the looking for.

One day at a flea market you'll spot G.I. Joe wearing the trunks he borrowed from his pal Ken.

[Niagara]

18. Here's a blast from the past.

In 1996, G.I. Joe borrowed Barbie from Ken. That G.I. Joe character needs to get his own items.

[Harker]

19. Ha! I'd forgotten about that one.

How fun!

[Different Drummer]

3. "Born" in the same year I was, but on different dates.

11/20 for me. I guess Ken likes older women!

[Harker]

5. He's a couple year younger than I am.

He may look better for his age than I do for mine, but he's still a little pipsqueak.