Tressy

Tressy is an American fashion doll with a feature to adjust the length of its hair. Tressy was first produced by American Character Doll Company in the 1960s and later by Ideal Toy Company in the 1970s. The doll was invented and patented by modern furniture designer Jesse Dean and his wife, Diana.

Description

"Tressy" was trademarked in 1963 as a doll with "hair that grows" by the American Character Toy Company of New York. It was first sold as an 11½" fashion doll similar to Mattel's Barbie and by the late 60s as a larger preteen doll by the Ideal Toy Company. Tressy featured a long swatch of hair that could be pulled out of the top of the doll's head by pushing a button on the doll's midriff; that mechanism allowed children the ability to comb the hair in a variety of styles. American Character clearly intended that Tressy's "growing" hair feature would give the doll a marketing edge over its blockbuster competitor, Barbie.

History

American Character Doll Company

In 1963, after approaching Ideal Toy Company with his concept and being rejected, inventor Jesse Dean sold the doll to American Character Doll Company, where it was popular from the outset, selling into its retirement in 1965. Unlike Mattel which maintained sole manufacturing and global distribution rights on its bestselling Barbie doll, American Character allowed the Regal Toy Company of Canada to manufacture and sell its own version of Tressy which had heavier eye and facial makeup. There was also a Palitoy Tressy sold in the United Kingdom and a "Bella" Tressy made and marketed by Societe Bella in France.