Founded in January 1945 by Harold Matson, Ruth Handler, and Elliot Handler in Los Angeles, California, Mattel, Inc. is a global leader in designing, manufacturing, and marketing a diverse range of children's toys. The company's core mission is to create innovative products that inspire, entertain, and develop children through play. Mattel's extensive product lineup includes branded fashion dolls like Barbie, infant and preschool products, toy cars such as Hot Wheels, action figures, and plush toys. The company serves a worldwide market, selling its products to retailers and directly to consumers.

Notable figures associated with Mattel include Ynon Kreiz, the chairman and CEO, and Steven Totzke, the president and CCO. The company is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol MAT and is a component of the S&P 400. Key achievements include multi-year agreements with SpaceX to produce toys and collectibles and partnerships with Skydance Media to develop live-action motion pictures based on their Matchbox brand. Mattel's impact is significant in the toy industry, continually innovating and expanding its product offerings to maintain its position as a market leader.