
1918+ Madame Hendren Life-Like Mama Doll, 24" tall, the
first acknowledged Ma-Ma doll |
On June 11, 1918
Georgene Averill - Madame Hendren, patented and created an improved baby doll.
Averill's doll has a composition
flange head, molded painted hair, painted eyes, closed mouth, cloth upper arms with partial composition lower arms and hands, a
wide cloth stuffed torso body and straight, swinging cloth legs with stitched
heeled feet (exclusive to Averill's doll) to simulate walking, when led by the
hand.
What is a Mama
doll? Not long after production had begun on the Averill doll, a voice box was
added to the tummy that cried Ma-Ma when the doll is tilted, which is how these dolls got their name.
By 1921 Mama dolls were also patented in England.
|