The Strawberry Shortcake doll first appeared in 1979 and quickly became a popular toy and media franchise. Originally created by American Greetings card company, the Strawberry Shortcake character was designed to appear on greeting cards. However, the adorable doll with bright red hair, freckles, and strawberry-themed outfit captured the hearts of young girls and launched a hugely successful toy line.
When was the first Strawberry Shortcake doll released?
The very first Strawberry Shortcake doll was released in 1979 by toy company Kenner. She was created by designer Muriel Fahrion who was one of the first female designers working for American Greetings. Fahrion designed the Strawberry Shortcake character for a series of greeting cards but the president of General Mills at the time decided the character had potential as a toy. Strawberry Shortcake made her debut as a rag doll designed to have the look of homemade crafts with her bonnet and berry-dotted dress.
The first Strawberry Shortcake doll stood at 6 inches tall and had a soft fabric body filled with stuffing. She had yarn hair in two pigtails and carried a cloth berry basket. Her little friend, a cat named Custard, was sold as a companion doll. Other doll characters like Huckleberry Pie and Orange Blossom were also introduced in the first doll line by Kenner.
What materials were used to make the original Strawberry Shortcake dolls?
The heads of the first Strawberry Shortcake dolls were made of a lightweight foam material called Styrenflock or Luffa foam. This gave the heads a soft, matte finish that appealed to children. The bodies were made of fabric with stuffing inside. And the hair was made of soft yarn in bright colors like red and orange.
These natural, craft-like materials were chosen to give the dolls a homemade, retro look inspired by 19th century antique dolls. The materials also made the dolls lightweight enough for very young children to hold and play with.
What were the key features of the first Strawberry Shortcake dolls?
Some of the key features of the original Strawberry Shortcake dolls included:
- Heads made of Styrenflock foam
- Soft stuffed fabric bodies
- Yarn hair in pigtails or ponytails
- Freckles drawn or painted on face
- Large round plastic eyes in colors like blue, green, violet
- A cute outfit with a bonnet or hat
- Berry or fruit themes like strawberries, lemons, oranges
- A cloth or plastic berry basket or bowl
- A fresh, handmade look
These features gave the dolls an old-fashioned, homemade appearance that felt comforting, nostalgic and highly appealing to young girls at the time.
What outfits and accessories did the first Strawberry Shortcake dolls come with?
The earliest Strawberry Shortcake dolls from 1979-1980 came with the following outfits and accessories:
- Strawberry bonnet and dress with strawberry print
- Lemon bonnet and yellow gingham dress for Lemon Meringue
- Orange bonnet and orange polka dot dress for Orange Blossom
- Mint bonnet and pink dress for Mint Julep
- Berry baskets made of fabric or plastic
- Fruit-shaped backpacks
- Felt capes, aprons and mittens
- Fruit jewelry like orange slice earrings
- Felt fruits and flowers for decoration
The berry-themed outfits and accessories matched the characters’ fruity names and personalities. Additional outfits and furniture playsets were sold separately to encourage collecting.
How much did the original Strawberry Shortcake dolls retail for?
When the first Strawberry Shortcake dolls were released in 1979, they retailed for between $7 to $15 depending on the department store. Given inflation, that would be the equivalent of about $25 to $50 today.
Here are the approximate original prices of some early Strawberry Shortcake dolls and accessories:
| Doll/Accessory | Year | Original Price |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberry Shortcake Doll | 1979 | $7-10 |
| Lemon Meringue Doll | 1979 | $10 |
| Orange Blossom Doll | 1980 | $15 |
| Strawberry Shortcake Berry Basket | 1980 | $3 |
| Strawberry Shortcake Baking Oven | 1980 | $15 |
Given the large size and number of accessories, the Strawberry Shortcake dolls offered good value at the time. The low prices helped make them very popular and affordable for most families.
How many Strawberry Shortcake dolls were sold in the early years?
According to the maker Kenner, in the first two years after her debut in 1979, a staggering $100 million worth of Strawberry Shortcake dolls and accessories were sold. By 1983, over $500 million worth of Strawberry Shortcake products had been sold.
Some key facts and figures about sales of the early Strawberry Shortcake dolls:
- 2 million dolls sold within the first year in 1979
- 25 million Strawberry Shortcake dolls sold by 1983
- The line expanded from 10 dolls in 1979 to over 30 characters by the mid 1980s
- Strawberry Shortcake dolls made up over 80% of Kenner’s sales in the early 1980s
- Between 1979 to 1985 over $1 billion in Strawberry Shortcake merchandise was sold
Strawberry Shortcake became the most successful doll launch in American toy history. Her popularity far exceeded industry expectations and cemented her status as a beloved icon of the 1980s.
What led to the huge popularity and success of the early Strawberry Shortcake dolls?
There are several key reasons why the Strawberry Shortcake dolls were such an enormous success in the early 1980s including:
- The cute, nostalgic character design appealed to young girls’ tastes at the time
- The fresh fruit theme stood out from other dolls on the market
- The affordable price made the dolls accessible to most families
- Creative world-building expanded the line with new characters each year
- Strong marketing through TV commercials, ads and tie-in products
- Quality and variety of accessories encouraged collecting
- Distribution deals made Strawberry Shortcake ubiquitous
- Trendy late 70s-early 80s nostalgia and crafting movement
By expertly capitalizing on cultural trends and marketing, Strawberry Shortcake tapped into little girls’ desires for a wholesome, crafty doll during the nostalgia-filled late 70s/early 80s. The result was runaway success that reshaped the American toy industry.
How did the design of Strawberry Shortcake dolls evolve in the 1980s?
Throughout the 1980s, the basic design of Strawberry Shortcake dolls remained relatively consistent with some small changes and updates:
- 1980 – Dolls got teeth and animal friends like Custard the Cat
- 1981 – Eyes changed to have an inset iris look
- 1982 – Hard plastic bodies introduced, more elaborate clothes
- 1983 – 20th anniversary “porcelain” dolls with intricate outfits
- 1985 – Introduction of the “soft-sculpture” line of dolls with fabric heads
Some other design evolutions included:
- New characters like Ginger Snap, Tea Blossom, Almond Tea
- Introduction of boy characters like Huckleberry Pie
- Increased fantasy themes like the Rainbow Rescue dolls
- Greater diversity of skin tones, hair styles, eye colors
While keeping Strawberry Shortcake’s iconic look, the doll designs became more elaborate and varied throughout the 1980s to sustain popularity.
When did Strawberry Shortcake dolls start being made by other companies?
Kenner originally had licensing rights to produce Strawberry Shortcake dolls after American Greetings created the character. This changed in the mid-1980s.
- 1983 – Tonka acquires rights to produce Strawberry Shortcake dolls
- 1985 – Hasbro takes over Tonka and produces the dolls
- 1989 – Bandai gets licensing rights to the Strawberry Shortcake brand
As nostalgia for Strawberry Shortcake grew, license rights shifted between major toy companies wanting to capitalize on the lucrative brand. While design and branding evolved with each company, the core appeal of Strawberry Shortcake endured over the years and generations.
How have Strawberry Shortcake dolls changed from the 1980s until today?
While keeping some classic elements, Strawberry Shortcake dolls have been updated and modernized in major ways since the 1980s:
- More elaborately designed and detailed outfits and accessories
- Greater diversity of ethnicity and body types represented
- New characters and expanded world-building
- More fantasy and story-based themes
- Advances like articulated limbs, brushable hair
- Media tie-ins to movies, apps, YouTube videos
- Some loss of handmade, retro charm of original
But Strawberry Shortcake herself endures as a sweet, sincere character who appeals to girls’ love of friendship, imagination, and fun. Her staying power proves the core essence that made Strawberry Shortcake distinctive remains strong despite surface changes over the decades.
What criticisms and controversies have Strawberry Shortcake dolls faced over the years?
For the most part, Strawberry Shortcake has avoided major controversies, but she has faced some criticism over the years:
- Accusations of contributing to overly gendered toy marketing
- Criticism for over-commercialization and endless licensing deals
- Parental concern about unrealistic, sexualized modern redesigns
- Debate over increasingly fantasy-based themes diluting original charm
- Perception of Strawberry Shortcake as saccharine, insubstantial fluff
However, despite some backlash, Strawberry Shortcake has prevailed as a beloved children’s character for over 40 years. Her message of imagination, friendship, and fun continues to overcome criticism.
Why does Strawberry Shortcake remain iconic and popular after over 40 years?
There are several reasons why Strawberry Shortcake maintains her iconic popularity across generations:
- Powerful feeling of childhood nostalgia she evokes
- Her image as the quintessential 80s doll kids grew up with
- The appeal of collectability and rare, vintage dolls
- Ongoing popularity with children despite updates
- The simplicity and sweetness of the original character
- Savvy marketing and reinventing to stay contemporary
Strawberry Shortcake is a rare character who elicits fond memories across generations while still engaging today’s kids. By skillfully evolving with the times, she never loses her special retro place in popular culture.
Conclusion
For over 40 years, Strawberry Shortcake dolls have held a beloved place in American pop culture. From her modest 1979 start as a simple rag doll, she rode a massive wave of popularity in the 1980s to become a multi-billion dollar toy empire. While her designs and owners have changed, her essence as a cute, nostalgic character endures across generations. Despite some criticisms, Strawberry Shortcake seems poised to continue spreading berry-sweet fun and friendship for years to come.