The Secret History & Corporate Thievery Of Cabbage Patch Kids

The Secret History of Cabbage Patch Kids  

Cabbage Patch Kids are collectible dolls thought to be have been created by fraudster — Xavier Roberts in 1978 but was evidently discovered to be created by Martha Nelson Thomas R.I.P. — originally called, "Little People" 

Cabbage Patch Kids were one of the most popular toys of the 80s. Over the course of the decade, the dolls reportedly generated about $2 billion in sales.

Martha Nelson Thomas ( ? – May 26th, 2013) R.I.P.

The dolls were originally invented by a Kentucky artist named Martha Nelson Thomas. Martha first started making them in the early 70s, and would "adopt" them out to family and friends.

Cabbage Patch Kids logo, collectible doll & birth certificate

The dolls eventually caught the eye of Xavier Roberts, a Georgia man who ran a gift shop. After Martha denied him permission to sell her dolls, he stole the design and began making his own versions.

Cabbage Patch Kids — 30+ years in the collectible dolls industry

Xavier's dolls, which each had his signature printed on the ass, became wildly successful over the next few years. Their popularity reached its peak in 1983, when shortages of the dolls over the Christmas period led to mini-riots in toy stores across the country. Through all this, Martha didn't make a single penny from her creation.

 

Cabbage Patch Kids crossed-over into the Bi-Racial Era in the mid-90s

In this video, we travel to Kentucky to meet with friends and family of Martha, and hear how the Cabbage Patch craze affected her life. We also traveled to Maryland, to meet Pat and Joe Prosey, who believe they have the largest private collection of Cabbage Patch Kids on the planet. — VICE