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Baby Heartbeat® Doll

Baby Doll
©1977
Artist/Maker
Kenner Products (manufacturers)
Place of origin
USA

battery operated stethoscope to listen to the doll's heartbeat
thermometer is operated by a tube in the doll's mouth


Object details

Object type
Baby doll
Parts
This object consists of 9 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Box
  • Box Lining
  • Doll
  • Toy (Recreational Artifact)
  • Nappy
  • Stethoscope
  • Thermometer
  • Instructions
  • Instructions
  • Guarantee
TitleBaby Heartbeat® Doll (manufacturer's title)
Physical description
battery operated stethoscope to listen to the doll's heartbeat
thermometer is operated by a tube in the doll's mouth
Production typemass produced
Credit line
Given by the Palitoy Company
Object history
Part of the Palitoy Archive
This doll was probably one of those tested by Palitoy as to whether nor not the company would make them or sell them under one of their own trademarks.

The packaging and parts bear the LP stamp related to the testing of the original prototypes. It means that the toy was 'fun tested under actual play conditions' and is classified as a LONG PLAYING TOY.
Historical context
This is a variation on the feeding/wetting doll. Many dolls have been designed, particularly over the last thirty years, to be more realistic. However, the basic ideas were developed in the 19th century and it was the introduction of soft vinyls which has allowed all the versions.

This individual doll could be adapted as a feeding one by the use of the necessary tubing.
Production
Reason For Production: retail
Other number
No.26800 - product number
Collection
Young V&A Collection
Accession number
B.636:1-1998

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Record createdFebruary 24, 1999
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O10454/baby-heartbeat-doll-baby-doll-kenner-products/
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