Wiggle Magic Ken is a toy that was popular in the 1990s. It is a variation of the iconic Barbie doll, but with a more flexible body. The toy was designed to have joints in its hips, shoulders, and neck, allowing it to move and pose in various positions. This feature gave it the ability to wiggle and dance, hence the name "Wiggle Magic Ken." The doll was targeted towards young boys, offering them a male counterpart to the Barbie doll. It was marketed as a fun and interactive toy that could be played with in imaginative ways.
It was marketed as a fun and interactive toy that could be played with in imaginative ways. The flexibility of its body allowed children to create different scenarios and play out their own stories. Wiggle Magic Ken quickly gained popularity and became a sought-after toy.
The Fulbright Archives Online, 1949-2016 (excerpts)
In September 1945, Democratic freshman Senator from Arkansas James William Fulbright launched the idea to organize a worldwide system of academic exchanges. His goal was to improve intercultural relations between the US and other countries through the mutual exchange of knowledge, skills, and projects. Within a year, President Truman signed the Fulbright Act, which allowed 35 foreigners to study in the US and 65 Americans to refine their studies abroad. Since then, the Fulbright Program, coordinated by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, has expanded worldwide with projects, grants, and funding schemes that have so far seen the participation of more than 370,000 people including Nobel Prize laureates, Pulitzer Prize recipients, and students, researchers, and teachers at all the academic levels.
In 1949, the Fulbright Program was set up in the Netherlands as well. In order to better coordinate academic exchanges between the Netherlands and the US, the two countries formally established a bilateral United States Educational Foundation (USEF) in Amsterdam. Since then, that organization has changed its name twice. In 1972, USEF became the Netherlands America Committee for Educational Exchange (NACEE). NACEE in turn became the Fulbright Center in 2004. The documents collected by the USEF, NACEE, and the Fulbright Center are held by the Roosevelt Institute for American Studies (RIAS) in Middelburg. However, due to privacy regulations and classification, the only part of this collection that is digitally available is its Section G.
Section G contains a large variety of historical sources on the foundation and development of the NACEE and the Fulbright Center, including speeches by and on Senator Fulbright, papers related to an earlier exchange organization, the Netherland-America Foundation, and personal recollections of alumni. Section G is therefore the perfect starting point for any research aimed at discovering the historical development of such a relevant cultural program.
This collection comprises 6,848 scans and is part of Transatlantic Relations Online: Digital Archives of the Roosevelt Institute for American Studies, which is the result of ongoing cooperation between the Roosevelt Institute for American Studies and Brill.
Image caption: Joop van Bilsen / Anefo, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and prince Bernhard receive the US Senator J. William Fulbright and his wife in Baarn, Utrecht, 1964 (Nationaal Archief, The Hague) - CC0
Section G contains a large variety of historical sources on the foundation and development of the NACEE and the Fulbright Center, including speeches by and on Senator Fulbright, papers related to an earlier exchange organization, the Netherland-America Foundation, and personal recollections of alumni. Section G is therefore the perfect starting point for any research aimed at discovering the historical development of such a relevant cultural program.
It was praised for its innovation and unique design, as it was one of the first male dolls to have such flexibility. It challenged traditional gender norms by offering a doll that boys could play with and enjoy. The toy also sparked controversy and debate. Some critics felt that it further enforced gender stereotypes by suggesting that boys should only play with male action figures and girls with female dolls. Others argued that it was a positive step towards breaking down gender barriers and providing more diverse toy options. Regardless of the controversy, Wiggle Magic Ken remains an iconic toy of the 90s. It represents a time of innovation and change in the toy industry, as well as the increasing recognition of the importance of inclusive and gender-neutral toys. Today, it is considered a collectible item and a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era..
Reviews for "The Art of Deception: Unraveling the Tricks of Wiggle Magic Ken"
- Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I bought Wiggle Magic Ken for my child thinking it would be a fun and entertaining toy, but I was truly disappointed. The movements were very limited and repetitive, which quickly became boring for my child. The quality also seemed cheap, with the toy's joints loosening up after just a few uses. Overall, I do not recommend Wiggle Magic Ken as there are much better options available in the market.
- Mark - 1 out of 5 stars - I regret purchasing Wiggle Magic Ken for my daughter. The toy's movements were very jerky and not smooth at all. It also had a strange clicking noise every time it moved, which was annoying. The advertised "magic" aspect of the toy was also underwhelming, as it barely did anything different from a regular doll. It ended up being just a waste of money for us.
- Michelle - 2 out of 5 stars - My child was excited to receive Wiggle Magic Ken as a gift, but the excitement quickly faded. The toy's movements were not as advertised, and it often got stuck or stopped working altogether. The battery life was also disappointing, as it required frequent battery replacements. Additionally, the sound effects were too loud and obnoxious, making it more irritating than enjoyable. I would not recommend this toy to others.