Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Before Barbie


Before Barbie there was Lilli. I mentioned Lilli in Oct. '04 but that link no longer exists. Lilli was originally a cartoon character created by German cartoonist Reinhard Beuthien for a "filler" in June 24, 1952 for the newspaper Bild-Zeitung in Hamburg, Germany. She became very popular as a curvy gal who knew what she wanted and went about her business to get it. She was classy, sassy, fashionable (his wife Erika helped with the fashions) and desirable. After a short time Reinhard decided to produce a doll of this character and it was Max Weissbrodt from the famous Hausser/Elastolin company in Neustadt/Coburg, Germany who created and produced a doll to his satisfaction. On August 12, 1955 Lilli was first sold in Gemany.
Barbiedolls.de hosts a collection of Lilli cartoons. Click on the word Lilli under History, then click on cartoons. View the cartoons by year 1953 - 1962.
I see her as the original "naughty secretary".

No comments:

Post a Comment

Comments make my day.