Ken (doll): Difference between revisions
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== Historical Significance== |
== Historical Significance== |
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Though it may not be apparent at first glance, Ken is almost as significant in historical context as his famous girlfriend is. While he may sometimes be overshadowed by Barbie's fame, it is important to recognize the symbol that Ken has become throughout the years. He is the most poignant male doll to enter the scene as a non-action figure and precedes the He-Man doll by a number of years. Ken marks the beginning of a new generation where boys no longer had mere [[action figure]]s to play with, and little girls were introduced to an alternative to the traditional female doll. Having held almost as many jobs [http://www.manbehindthedoll.com/A-Z.htm] as Barbie has, and having gone through a number of transformations since his introduction to children of all ages, Ken has established himself not only as Barbie's everlasting boy-toy, but as a self-standing icon of the 20th century. Since the birth of Barbie and Ken, the children of the world have been introduced to a revolution in toymaking that remains unchallenged to this day. |
Though it may not be apparent at first glance, Ken is almost as significant in historical context as his famous girlfriend is. While he may sometimes be overshadowed by Barbie's fame, it is important to recognize the symbol that Ken has become throughout the years. He is the most poignant male doll to enter the scene as a non-action figure and precedes the He-Man doll by a number of years. He also was made so that Barbie would have someone to have a sexy time with. Ken marks the beginning of a new generation where boys no longer had mere [[action figure]]s to play with, and little girls were introduced to an alternative to the traditional female doll. Having held almost as many jobs [http://www.manbehindthedoll.com/A-Z.htm] as Barbie has, and having gone through a number of transformations since his introduction to children of all ages, Ken has established himself not only as Barbie's everlasting boy-toy, but as a self-standing icon of the 20th century. Since the birth of Barbie and Ken, the children of the world have been introduced to a revolution in toymaking that remains unchallenged to this day. |
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== Marketing== |
== Marketing== |
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Revision as of 16:52, 10 December 2007
 | This article is written like a personal reflection, personal essay, or argumentative essay that states a Wikipedia editor's personal feelings or presents an original argument about a topic. |
Ken (lesser known full name Ken Carson) is a toy doll in Mattel's Barbie line of fashion dolls.
History
Since 1961, this fictional character has been going steady with America's most beloved doll, and has changed quite drastically over the years to keep up with his famous other half. In February, 2004, Mattel announced a split for the couple, with Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, saying that Barbie and Ken "feel it's time to spend some quality time - apart." This made headline news and was discussed on countless blogs on the world wide web. In an article entitled, "Barbie and Ken: History," by Eric Olsen, the end of the 43-year-old romance was the topic in question. [1] In a sense, it was the most talked about breakup of 2004. In February, 2006 however, a revamped version of the Ken doll was launched, and it appeared that their relationship was official again. [2] [3]
Ken's best friend, Allan Sherwood, was introduced in 1964. He is not to be confused with Alan, who was introduced in 1990 and married Barbie's friend, Midge. The first African-American male doll was introduced in 1981, in contrast to Barbie's African-American friend, Christie, who was introduced in 1968. [4]
From 1961 to the debut of Superstar Ken in 1977, Barbie's arm-candy featured straight arms and a head that could only turn left and right. For the first year of his existence, Ken's luscious felt mane rivaled that of Barbie's; however, as his hair was prone to falling off once it was wet, Mattel introduced a new, plastic haircut for Ken. [5] Superstar Ken featured a dimpled smile, a head that could swivel, bent arms, a more muscular physique, and jewelry. He also had underwear permanently molded to his body. As talk about his girlfriend's disproportionate body and unreal beauty standards spread with increasing intensity throughout the years, Ken tended to be left on the back burner as the boyfriend with the molded-on plastic underwear that no one talked about. However, if one takes into consideration Ken's equally disproportionate physique, it is not difficult to realize how Ken also poses unreal standards for the male anatomy. Yale University psychologist, Kelly Brownell, PhD, recently noted that to size up to what Barbie looks for in a mate, "a man would have to grow 20 inches taller and add nearly 8 inches to his neck circumference, 11 inches to his chest and 10 inches to his waist to resemble the muscular Ken." [6]
In 1993 a version of the doll was released called "Earring Magic Ken". The style of the doll was said to resemble popular fashions among some segments of the gay community at the time, which caused the doll to attain a cult following. [7] Though it is not well known, Ken has held at least 40 occupations, from Olympic gold medalist (1974, 1997), to hair stylist (1991, 1992, 1999). [8]
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Ken c.1968
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1968 Ken Doll
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1960s Ken outfit
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Jacket label
Historical Significance
Though it may not be apparent at first glance, Ken is almost as significant in historical context as his famous girlfriend is. While he may sometimes be overshadowed by Barbie's fame, it is important to recognize the symbol that Ken has become throughout the years. He is the most poignant male doll to enter the scene as a non-action figure and precedes the He-Man doll by a number of years. He also was made so that Barbie would have someone to have a sexy time with. Ken marks the beginning of a new generation where boys no longer had mere action figures to play with, and little girls were introduced to an alternative to the traditional female doll. Having held almost as many jobs [9] as Barbie has, and having gone through a number of transformations since his introduction to children of all ages, Ken has established himself not only as Barbie's everlasting boy-toy, but as a self-standing icon of the 20th century. Since the birth of Barbie and Ken, the children of the world have been introduced to a revolution in toymaking that remains unchallenged to this day.
Marketing
In 2006, the California Barbie doll dumped Ken for a Cali Boy name Rico. (It should be noted Rico looks somewhat like an older version of Rico from Hannah Montana).When this happened, Ken markets plummitted. Only did a famous shirt line, saying "Barbie Hearts Ken" with "Hearts" crossed out and "Dumped" Inked in save Mattel. Ken dolls are still being sold as "Barbie's Boyfriend." Rico dolls have ceased.
Movies
- 1987: Barbie and the Rockers; Barbie and the Sensations.
Additional information
- The Ken gene in the Drosophila fly was so named because the gene, when deleted, caused the flies to form without external genitalia.
- Mattel (the manufacturer of Ken and Barbie dolls) complained to the video game company Capcom over its Street Fighter game. The game contained a character called Ken, which Mattel argued could lead to confusion with its doll of the same name. In order to avoid confusion, the character in the Street Fighter game was renamed Ken Masters.
References
The ken and barbie gene encoding a putative transcription factor with a BTB domain and three zinc finger motifs functions in terminalia development of Drosophila. Lukacsovich T, Yuge K, Awano W, Asztalos Z, Kondo S, Juni N, Yamamoto D. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol. 2003 Oct;54(2):77-94.'
"Barbie and Ken: History." Olsen, Eric. Blog Critics. {http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/02/15/130739.php} 15 February, 2004.
"How do Barbie and Ken Measure Up?" Berg-Cross, Linda. Psychotherapy Letter. Apr96, Vol. 8 Issue 4, p3, 1/3p. {http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9604241835&site=ehost-live}
Mattel History. {http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/History/mattel_history.pdf} 2001 Mattel Inc.