Mattel was founded by Harold Matson and Elliot Handler in 1945. They used some of the letters from each of their names to come up with their new company name. Mattel is the world’s largest toy manufacturer. Of course, their most popular doll has been Barbie. Mattel is very concerned about the security of their research department. The company’s research department is headed by a former missile engineer, and is strictly off-limits to all but a few employees.