Polly Pocket
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Polly Pocket is a line of small plastic dolls and accessories aimed at girls. The name comes from the fact that many of the original Polly Pocket toys came in pocket-size cases. The current Fashion Polly dolls sold by Mattel differ significantly from those originally sold by Bluebird Toys. The original Bluebird dolls were less than one inch tall and made of hard plastic. Mattel's are two to three inches tall and are composed of a pliable plastic with soft rubberized clothing and fashion accessories.
Polly was first designed by Chris Wiggs in 1983 for his daughter Kate. Using a powder compact, he fashioned a small house for the tiny doll. Bluebird Toys of Swindon, England licensed the concept and the first Polly Pocket appeared in stores in 1989. Mattel held a distribution arrangement with Bluebird Toys for Polly Pocket items in the early-1990s. In 1998, while production lulled, Bluebird Toys endured several hostile take-over attempts until Mattel finally purchased them later that year.
In 1999, Mattel redesigned Polly and created a new series of collectible items. The new Polly doll is larger and has a more life-like appearance than the original dolls. That same year, Mattel also introduced Fashion Polly!, which used the same characters from the new Polly Pocket (Polly, Lea, Shani, Lila, etc.), but they came in the form of 3 ¾ inch (9.5 cm) plastic jointed dolls. They gave a new spin on fashion dolls; instead of traditional cloth clothing, Polly Pockets used unique "Polly Stretch" garments, rubbery plastic clothes that could be put on the dolls and removed. There are also some boy dolls (Rick, Steven, etc.).
[edit] Recalls
Additionally, a new magnetic Polly World line was introduced where Polly and her friends have magnetic hands and feet and allow them to adhere to almost every surface in their magnetic Polly world. On August 14, 2007 the CPSC and Mattel announced a voluntary recall of 63 distinct magnetic Mattel toys, which consisted mainly of a recall of dozens of Polly Pocket models. According to the CPSC, a total of 7.3 million Polly Pocket! units (much higher on a worldwide basis) sold between May 2003 and November 2006 are affected. However, Mattel has separately stated that the products to be returned for a voucher were manufactured between January 2002 and January 31, 2007. The Chairman and CEO of Mattel publicly apologized in video and audio broadcasts. The company received 400 recent reports of magnets releasing unexpectedly from these toys. The company stated in its Media Release:
Additionally, Mattel is voluntarily recalling certain toys with magnets manufactured between January 2002 and January 31, 2007 that may release small, powerful magnets. The recall expands upon Mattel’s voluntary recall of eight toys in November 2006 and is based on a thorough internal review of all of our brands that have toys with magnets, and analyzed the ways in which magnets come loose. Since January 2007, all magnets used in our toys have been “locked” into the toy with sturdy material holding in the edges around the exposed face of the magnet or completely covering the magnet. We now believe it is prudent to recall our older toys with magnets that do not meet our latest retention system requirements.
Previously, on November 21, 2006 the CPSC announced a major product recall of eight magnetic Polly Pocket! Playsets which had been sold between May, 2003 and September, 2006. The pieces of the set obtain their magnetic power from the small but powerful NIB magnet produced in China from a composite of Neodymium, Iron and Boron. The models which should immediately be taken away from children and returned for a voucher are:
Polly Pocket Polly Place Hangin' Out House; Polly Pocket Polly Place Treetop Clubhouse; Polly Pocket Spa Day; Polly Pocket Polly Place Totally Tiki Diner; Polly Pocket Quik-Clik Boutique; Polly Pocket Quik-Clik City Pretty Playset; Polly Pocket Quik-Clik Sporty Style Playset; and Polly Pocket Totally Zen Playset.
(From the CSPC Press Release) Hazard: Tiny magnets inside the dolls and accessories can fall out undetected by parents and caregivers. The magnets can be swallowed, aspirated by young children or placed by a child in their nose or ears. When more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation, infection or blockage, which can be fatal. Aspiration to the lungs requires immediate surgery. Magnets placed in the nose or ears can cause swelling and be difficult to remove.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of 170 reports of the small magnets coming out of these recalled toys. There were three reports of serious injuries to children who swallowed more than one magnet. All three suffered intestinal perforations that required surgery. A 2-year-old child was hospitalized for seven days and a 7-year-old child was hospitalized for 12 days. An 8-year-old child was also hospitalized.
Description: The recalled Polly Pocket play sets contain plastic dolls and accessories that have small magnets. The magnets measure 1/8 inch in diameter and are imbedded(sic) in the hands and feet of some dolls, and in the plastic clothing, hair pieces and other accessories to help the pieces attach to the doll or to the doll’s house.
In addition, on the same day a lawsuit was announced on behalf of a boy who received major injuries after consuming magnets from his younger sister's magnetic Polly-Pocket playset. In a similar type of product defect, 14 families received a settlement from MEGA Brands, Inc. of Canada for one death and several injuries due to internal consumption of magnets from Magnetix brand magnetic building sets. On August 14th 2007, Mattel recalled more Polly Pocket toys [1] in addition to the already recalled products containing small magnets.
