Characteristics of the Ken Doll

Hair

• The original Ken had molded blond or brunette hair. The 1962 Ken had painted hair, and so did all of the others until Ken's with rooted hair appeared in the 1970s. Despite that, the majority of Kens still sported blond, painted hair. Regardless of its color or design, Ken's hair is always fashionable and up to date.

Eyes

• Every Ken doll model has had blue eyes. Ken's painted-on eyes are set off by a thick outline of dark lashes.

Body

• The first Ken doll was quite gangly compared to later models. Early Ken dolls had little muscular definition in the chest and abdomen. Moreover, their groin area was flat and identical to Barbie's. By the late '70s, new Kens featured ripped pecs, chiseled abs and a "bulge" to suggest male genitals. Almost every Ken doll stands around 12 inches tall, which is about a 1/2-inch taller than Barbie. Ken is always white, but Mattel, the maker of the doll, has issued "friends" for Ken that represented different races.

Mobility

• From the 1960s through the 1980s, Ken dolls had a standard pose that could not be altered very much. Ken's arms were always in a relaxed position with the elbows slightly bent and his hands reaching down toward his legs. His legs were straight, although they could be moved at the hips to make him look like he was walking. The first Ken doll with jointed elbows and wrists was released in 1972.

Fun Fact

• After a 43-year romance, Barbie and Ken officially broke up in 2004. However, they got back together again in February 2011 with the release of "Dream Boyfriend Ken."