Book piece: Page 199 of Carla and Roberto Brunialti's, A Tribute to America. Patented by designer Elliot Handler in 1943, design patent no: 135,101. This brooch introduced in an ad in Women's Wear Daily in January of 1945 with the name "Bonnet Head."

According to Fortune Small Business, the love-struck Elliot Handler and Ruth Mosko started out in 1937, both 21 years old, after moving from Denver to Los Angeles. The creative Handler and gifted marketer, Mosko, ventured into the giftware and costume jewelry business with financial partner, Zachary. The company name, Elzac, combined Elliot and Zachary and grew to be a 2 million dollar business. By 1944, Elzac foreman Harold "Matt" Matson, proposed a new business using some of Elliot's designs. Ruth and Elliot jumped at the opportunity. The new company was named Mattel...Matt and Elliot. The first toys were produced in the Handler's garage. Elliot's first toy was a toy ukelele called Uke-A-Doodle, and Barbie was the brainchild of Ruth. The rest is, as they say, history.

More Elzac: Vintage Jewelry.