15 huge business, which started in a small garage

Mattel

In 1945, the couple Ruth and Elliot Handler, founders of the future for the production of toys and creators of Barbie dolls began with the manufacture of picture frames in the garage.

Mattel, Inc. is an American multinational toy manufacturing company founded in 1945 with headquarters in El Segundo, California. In 2014, it ranked #403 on the Fortune 500 list. The products and brands it produces include Fisher-Price, Barbie dolls, Monster High dolls, Ever After High dolls, Winx Club dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe toys, American Girl dolls, board games, and WWE Toys. In the early-1980s, Mattel produced video game systems, under both its own brands and under license from Nintendo. The company has presence in 40 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. The company operates through three business segments: North America, international, and American Girl. It is the world’s largest toy maker in terms of revenue and market capitalization.

The company’s name is derived from Harold “Matt” Matson and Elliot Handler, who founded the company in 1945.