Fascinating
facts about the invention
of
Cabbage Patch Kids by Xavier Roberts in
1983. |
Cabbage Patch Kids® |
|
|
|
AT A GLANCE:
The phenomenon began in 1983, when designer Xavier Roberts
introduced the world to Cabbage Patch Kids. |
|
|
Invention: |
Cabbage Patch Kids in 1983 |
|
|
Function: |
noun / Trademark |
|
Definition: |
From the beginning, Roberts captured
attention by making each character an individual with its own
personality, so every Kid was truly one of a kind and unique. All Kids were up for adoption and needed good, nurturing homes to call
their very own. |
|
Trademark: |
Reg.
No. 1298970 issed October 2, 1984 |
|
|
Inventor: |
Xavier Roberts |
|
|
Criteria: |
First to
invent. Entrepreneur. |
|
Birth: |
1955 in
Cleveland, Georgia |
| |
|
|
Nationality: |
American |
|
Milestones:
1983
Xavier Roberts introduced the world to
Cabbage Patch Kids.
1982 Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc. signs a long term licensing
agreement
1979 Xavier and five school friends open "BabyLand General®
Hospital" to the public.
1978 Xavier wins a first place ribbon for sculpture at the
1978 Osceola Art Show in Kissimmee, FL.
1976 Xavier creates his first soft-sculptures.
invention, history,
inventor of, history of, who invented, invention of, fascinating
facts. |
|
|
In 1976, a 21 year old art student, Xavier Roberts rediscovers "needle molding" a
German technique for fabric sculpture from the early 1800’s. Combining his
interest in sculpture with the quilting skills passed down from his mother,
Xavier creates his first soft-sculptures. While working his way through school as manager of the Unicoi Craft Shop in
Helen, Georgia, Xavier develops the marketing concept of adoptable Little
People® with birth certificates. Xavier wins a first place ribbon for sculpture with "Dexter" at the
1978 Osceola Art Show in Kissimmee, Florida.
Returning home to Georgia, he
organizes five school friends and incorporates Original Appalachian
Artworks, Inc. Xavier and his friends renovate the L.G. Neal Clinic, a turn
of the century medical facility in Cleveland, Georgia, opening "BabyLand
General® Hospital" to the public.
In 1982,
Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc. signs a long term licensing agreement
allowing a major toy manufacturer to produce a Toy replica of Xavier’s hand
made soft sculpture Originals. These Toy versions are recognizable by their
smaller size, vinyl head and adoption fees usually under $30.00. At the same
time, the name Little People® is changed to the "Cabbage Patch Kids®" which
is used for both the Toys and the hand made Originals. |
TO
LEARN MORE
RELATED INFORMATION:
History of Toys
from The Great Idea Finder
ON THE BOOKSHELF:
Encyclopedia of Cabbage Patch Kids (R): The 1990s
by Jan Lindenberger / Paperback: 176 pages / Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.;
(October 1, 1999)
The Cabbage Patch Kid craze started in the 1980s, and continued into the
1990s, where it is perpetuated by a strong community of collectors.
Xavier Roberts Presents: Little People Pals
by Mickey Baskett (Editor), Jimmy George / Paperback: 31 pages / Plaid
Enterprises Inc. (1982)
The Babyland General story, Xavier Roberts' life and works, switched at
birth - Baby sweetie, Butch, Tuffie, Baby Buddy, Curly Locks, Bunny &
Hank.#7576 Plaid. Pattern included. The story and a how to book on how to
make the Little People. (Pattern Included)
ON THE WEB:
BabyLand General®
Hospital
Birthplace of the Cabbage Patch Kids.
From The Birds And The Bees To The Cabbage Patch
Article about babyland at Turner South. A Time Warner Company.
Cabbage Patch Dolls
They had pudgy faces, stumpy arms and small close-set eyes and were
dramatically different from the traditional cute baby doll. Article from the
Bad Fads Museum.
Xavier Roberts
Interview With Xavier Roberts by Catherine Callaway, CNN anchor. Aired July
27, 2002.
History Of
Cabbage Patch Kids
One day, a young
boy named Xavier Roberts wandered into a magic cabbage patch hidden behind a
beautiful waterfall. he discovered busy little Bunnybees sprinkling cabbages
with magical crystals. Suddenly, all sorts of different kids and babies
peeked out of the cabbages.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
"It is amazing to me. It really started off as a piece of
art. I would travel to art shows and he actually won some prizes at
different art shows, competing with sculpture and other things." -
Xavier Roberts, 2002
DID YOU KNOW:
-
In their first six months on the market,
more than two million Cabbage Patch Kids were sold.
-
By 1999, more than
95 million Cabbage Patch Kids were sold
-
Besides continuing
to run Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc, Xavier Roberts is a classic car
collector
-
A recent poll by
Doll Reader magazine included Cabbage Patch Kids among the "top 30 favorite
dolls of all time."
|
| Reference
Sources in BOLD Type. |
This
page revised October 25, 2006. |
|
|
 |
|
FEATURED
INVENTOR |
|
Tim
Berners-Lee's invention has revolutionized the world like nothing
before.
Learn more |
|
FEATURED
INVENTION |
|
The invention of the Internet,
should be classed with the greatest events of the 20th Century.
Learn more |
| FEATURED GREAT
IDEA |
The Aero Sport All-Terrain Bed
with Dual Power Pump is the perfect addition to any camping trip or weekend
getaway.
Learn more... |
| FEATURED BOOK |
This
book, is the perfect desktop reference for both the science novice and the
technologically advanced reader alike.
Learn more |
| MAKE A
DIFFERENCE |
 |
|
CELEBRATE WITH US |
 |
|
|
