Today is...the anniversary of the introduction of the Ken doll

On this day in 1961, Mattel introduced the Ken Carson doll—a boyfriend for Barbie. What is your favorite childhood toy?

Ken's full name is Ken Sean Carson. He was created in 1961 as a boyfriend for Barbie. Ken and Barbie met on the set of a TV commercial.

Ken got underwear permanently molded onto his body in 1977, along with a more muscular physique, his dimpled smile, and arms that bent.

Ken's best friend is Allan Sherwood, who is Midge's boyfriend and later her husband.

In February 2004, Ken and Barbie broke up, though they remain friends. The separation was rumored to be partially due to Ken's reluctance to getting married.

Ken and Barbie may have rekindled their relationship in 2006, though there is no solid evidence to that fact.

In the 53 years that Ken has been dating Barbie, he has held at least 40 different jobs.