After California toy giant, Mattel, took Barbie on the road looking for a
new home, she and her maker decided to stay in Malibu where life is pretty
darned good. The California girl who is frequently seen with main squeeze,
Ken, travelled to New York, Paris and the Australian Outback on a publicity
stint to promote the newly refurbished Dreamhouse with three stories, six
rooms, and unmatched ocean views! While houses in Malibu are in the
millions, the Dreamhouse costs around $150--such a deal!
Barbie, Ken, Thomas and Friends, Fischer Price, Hot Wheels and other popular
products are the brainchildren of Mattel whose worldwide headquarters is in
El Segundo, Calif. Mattel employs approximately 30,000 people in 40
countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations.
Founded in 1945, the company introduced Barbie in 1959. Her full name is
Barbara Millicent Roberts from Willows, Wisconsin. Barbie turned 54 in 2013
but she never shows her age. A Malibu Barbie doll was manufactured starting
in 1971, representing the beach girl with fancy cars, lots of swimwear,
pools, and accessories.
Just as Barbie was named for Mattel founders Elliot & Ruth Handler's
daughter, Ken (who was introduced in 1961 as Barbie's boyfriend,) was named
after their son.
City of El Segundo Top 15 Employers
EL SEGUNDO BUSINESS RANK:
1 Raytheon Company 7,591 Aerospace &
Defense
2 Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. 5,853
Aerospace & Defense
3 Northrop Grumman Corporation 5,213
Aerospace & Defense
4 Aerospace Corporation 3,048 Aerospace
& Defense
5 Mattel 1,771 Toys/Creative Arts