The History of Cabbage Patch Kids
The History of Cabbage Patch Kids
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In 1977, to go along with the concept of Little People and Babyland
General Hospital, he printed 1,000 blue-bordered birth certificates and name
tags—the first “Blue” edition. He teamed
up with an old classmate, Debbie Morehead, and together named each one, using a
1937 baby names book. They traveled all
over to participate in art shows. The
next year, Debbie decided to quit the baby business to concentrate on her
paintings. Xavier decided to quit his
job and deliver babies full time. As he
continued to travel to art shows, the news continued to travel about his Little
People. He decided he needed more help
if he was going to fulfill the demands, so he and five classmates got together
to form a business. They renovated an
old clinic and turned it into an adoption clinic—Babyland General
Hospital.
September 1978 Original Appalachian Artworks was incorporated, and the
second Blue edition was introduced—characterized by an “A” before the
registration number. They continued
traveling to art shows, putting on a display with cribs, toys, and highchairs,
and dressing up as doctors and nurses. Less
than two months, the edition was gone and they went on to introduce the third
(Red or “B” edition.)
By August 1979, Babyland General Hospital had 56 doctors and nurses and
still could not keep up with the demand.
By this time, the media had featured Xavier in several articles and
television programs, which in turn created even more demand.
January 1982 was the introduction of the very first Little People with
ears (New ‘Ears Edition), and Little People Pals, which was meant to be a doll
for the Little People. Eventually, a
pattern book was published, and a kit was available for purchase so that people
could make their own ‘Pals. Meanwhile,
Xavier was working on a national licensing program called “Cabbage Patch
Kids.” By August, Coleco became licensed
to mass produce and promote a complete line of products and accessories based
on Little People. They planned to
introduce Cabbage Patch Kids in Summer 1983.
In August 1982, a new edition of Little People was introduced as Cabbage
Patch Kids. And January 1983 the Little
People were officially referred to as Cabbage Patch Kids.
June 1983 the announcement of Coleco was made. Coleco mass-marketed Cabbage Patch Kids,
which were similar to Little People Pals, except their heads were vinyl instead
of cloth, but still resembled a soft-sculpture face. They came with their own birth certificate,
adoption papers, personality trait card, and a stamped Xavier Roberts signature
on their left bottom cheek. Thus began
the “Cabbage Patch Kids Craze,” which lasted through the 80’s.
