Toy manufacturers frequently overlooked black children in Western countries. Most of their toys were made at home from scraps. "Making a way out of no way" was a rule of dollmaking from the 1800s through the early 1900s.
Richard Henry Boyd couldn’t find the toys he wanted for his nine children. Frustrated by the Black dolls that reminded him of scarecrows, Boyd took matters into his own hands and went to Germany, where more suitable Black dolls were being made.
Satisfied with the dolls that German factories were producing, he ordered Black baby dolls each holiday season. His ability to sell them nationwide got the attention of other toy companies that saw an untapped market. In 1911 he founded the National Negro Doll Company.
Boyd's dedication to inclusivity and empowerment through dolls revolutionized the toy industry and set a new standard for diversity in doll manufacturing. Through his vision and determination, Boyd solved a personal problem and transformed future generations' perceptions of Black beauty and identity.
In a society with rampant racial prejudice and discrimination, Black dolls taught children valuable lessons about race and instilled a sense of pride in their heritage. These dolls represented Black children who were often ignored by major toy manufacturers and became symbols of resistance and empowerment.