For most people, the Christmas season doesn't begin until some time after Thanksgiving, but for manufacturers who depend on Yuletide sales for a big slice of their business, Christmas is likely to begin around the 4th of July. That's the situation in the toy factory in which these photos were made. When most people are thinking of firecrackers and beach parties, this company's artists start sketching one of their best selling products, a Santa Claus doll that not only looks like the real thing, but when squeezed emits a noise roughly identifiable as "Merry Christmas."
Though any child can tell you what Santa Claus looks like, these dolls change slightly every year. Designers must determine how many buttons to put on his coat, whether to give him boots or fur or leather, or if his mustache should curl upward or stick out straight. Once these details are approved, the assembly line starts moving. The demand for Santa dolls is so great that sufficient quantity can be guaranteed only by mass production.
First step is to mold the head out of plastic, then paint on the white beard, rosy cheeks and red cap. After Santa's eyes are attached, the head is joined to the bright red suit, already filled with stuffing and a squeak-box. "Merry Christmas" cheerfully, the dolls go off to the stores and their final perch in Christmas stockings.
Though any child can tell you what Santa Claus looks like, these dolls change slightly every year. Designers must determine how many buttons to put on his coat, whether to give him boots or fur or leather, or if his mustache should curl upward or stick out straight. Once these details are approved, the assembly line starts moving. The demand for Santa dolls is so great that sufficient quantity can be guaranteed only by mass production.
First step is to mold the head out of plastic, then paint on the white beard, rosy cheeks and red cap. After Santa's eyes are attached, the head is joined to the bright red suit, already filled with stuffing and a squeak-box. "Merry Christmas" cheerfully, the dolls go off to the stores and their final perch in Christmas stockings.
Captions for numbered photos below:
- Though a mink coat may be a gal's first choice for a Christmas present, a Santa Claus that says "Merry Christmas" isn't a bad alternative. the doll fit nicely in stockings
- An artist touches up Santa's beard, giving him rosy cheeks and a "facial." The rock is used to hold heads for inspection and drying.
- A toy factory worker gives sight to dolls. The largest eyes--those with lashes--are mounted on pivots for use in "sleeping" dolls.
- Santa gets stuffing knocked into him with a vertical rod. The final step is to join heads and suits.
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| Newspaper Article for Educational Use Only, 1955. |
The Santa Clothes Doll: Countdown to Christmas
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