A child opens a box. He starts jumping and screaming with joy—not an unusual sound in the halls of Mattel’s headquarters where researchers test new toys. But this particular toy is a doll, and it’s ...

It’s the early ‘90s and Barbie is at her peak popularity. But her boyfriend is a bit bland, a true dork best known for wearing satin tuxedos. Simply put, Ken isn’t cool — and Mattel isn’t having it.