Bild Lilli

The Bild Lilli doll was a German fashion doll launched on August 12, 1955 and produced until 1964. Its design was based on the comic-strip character Lilli, created by Reinhard Beuthien for the German tabloid newspaper Bild. The doll was made of polystyrene, came in two sizes, and had an available wardrobe of 1950s fashion. The Lilli doll was copied for Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler who then exterminated Lilli so she could market a product they called the Barbie doll. Production of the Bild Lilli doll ceased after Mattel bought the copyright.