About the Creation of Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty is the popular cartoon character created in 1974 by the Sanrio Company of Japan. Hello Kitty is a white, mouthless female kitten who lives in a seemingly perfect world. Kind, friendly and impossibly cute, she offers advice like "Hello Kitty says be yourself!" Although Sanrio had been producing Hello Kitty products since the 1970s, in the mid-1980s Hello Kitty mania swelled and she became one of the most prominent and recognizable Japanese characters on Earth, found on everything from handbags to bath towels.
Hello Kitty Mermaid

According to the company's website, other Sanrio characters include "Pochacco, our athletic young pup, and the slightly naughty Badtz Maru."

Hello Kitty History

hello kitty history 1974

Hello kitty history - 1974

In the very beginning, Hello Kitty, did not have a name. It was first seen as a kitty with a little red bow on its left ear, sitting down. However, Hello Kitty instantly attracted respect and love of thousands of people in Japan with its cute design and character, which turned Hello Kitty into an instant celebrity.
hello kitty history 1975

Hello kitty history - 1975

This cute kitty was finally given a name, called Hello Kitty. The very first item which featured Hello Kitty was a wallet, which was a very tiny purse with the picture of Hello Kitty embriod on its side. Hello Kitty's family was also introduced.
hello kitty history 1976

Hello kitty history - 1976

The company Sanrio took the job of the main distributor and owner of Hello Kitty. Sanrio welcomed and celebrated Hello Kitty by creating a new pose for Hello Kitty. Instead of just a sitting pose, they made Hello Kitty a standing pose.
kitty history 1977

Hello kitty history - 1977

Apparently Sanrio liked the new standing pose, and they decided to try a bit more. They made Hello Kitty to sit in a plane, piloting it. It was a very simple picture of Hello Kitty in a plane with its head sticking out. The school children loved it, even high school students and some adults were attracted to this cute new design.
kitty history 1978

Hello kitty history - 1978

This time, Hello Kitty was designed to ride a dolphin, along with other different styles such as in a car, in different places...etc. Hello Kitty also had a large varity of different uniforms and outfits.

Hello Kitty History

kitty history 1979

Hello kitty history - 1979

Grandpa and grandma formally introduced to the Hello Kitty world.
kitty history 1980

Hello kitty history - 1980

Hello Kitty playing sport! Hello Kitty was in a tennis top and playing tennis. Holding a tennis racket and a ball, extremely cute and adorable. Hello Kitty digital watch was also released and went on sale that year, and more than a million watches were sold. Incredible.
kitty history 1981

Hello kitty history - 1981

The range of Hello Kitty items on sale expanded to telephones and cameras also some more electronic products, which it continued to increase year after year. The first Hello Kitty movie was made, called "Kitty and Mimi's new umbrella".
kitty history 1982

Hello kitty history - 1982

Hello Kitty's outline disappeared! The reason for this is to make Hello Kitty more involved to the background picture. They also made a bit of adjustment to the position of Hello Kitty's eyes.
kitty history 1983

Hello kitty history - 1983

Cris-cross and straight lined background, with a more US style design attracted lot of people in the US. During the same year, Hello Kitty was named the child ambassador of UNICEF in the US as well.
kitty history 1984

Hello kitty history - 1984

Hello Kitty photo design. This was to make Hello Kitty more realistic and made it seem closer to us. This process was a huge success at the end.
kitty history 1985

Hello kitty history - 1985

Tiny Cham introduced. Hello Kitty baking a cake in the kichen, which also attracted lot of young parents.
kitty history 1986

Hello kitty history - 1986

Passport shot of Hello Kitty's face. This extremely simply design became the offical logo for Hello Kitty for a while. This design was also seen on handbags, different clothing, handkerchiefs and lots more.
kitty history 1987

Hello kitty history - 1987

Black and white Hello Kitty series. This design was aimed to attract more adults instead of teenagers or younger children.
kitty history 1988

Hello kitty history - 1988

Cris-cross and straight lined background Hello Kitty is back. This design became really popular, and received large recongition from around the world. US CBS television started to show the first Hello Kitty cartoon on TV, "Hello Kitty's Fairy Tale Theater".
kitty history 1989

Hello kitty history - 1989

English Hello Kitty comic series went on sale in US. This attracted even more fans because the reader could actually get a closer feel to Hello Kitty, it friends, family and life.
kitty history 1990

Hello kitty history - 1990

Water droplets and snow background design developed. During the christmas it was even more popular with Hello Kitty in Santa-like costume with snowy background. Sanrio Puroland theme park opened in the same year as well.
kitty history 1991

Hello kitty history - 1991

Flower series. Hello Kitty was hold a flower with flowers in the background. It attracted lot of female fans instantly.
kitty history 1992

Hello kitty history - 1992

Fruit series. Hello Kitty was holding a fruit with fruits in the background. The design was changing depending on the season and the time of the year, to match the fruit and the color. It gave the fans a heart-warming feel.
kitty history 1993

Hello kitty history - 1993

Hello Kitty design changed! The bow on her ear changed to a flower, a new start to this new look of Hello Kitty.
kitty history 1994

Hello kitty history - 1994

Nurse series. Hello Kitty in a hospital and in a nurse's uniform! Hello Kitty was named the child ambassador of UNICEF in Japan.
kitty history 1995

Hello kitty history - 1995

Flower series back again. With much more designs and more more colorful.
kitty history 1996

Hello kitty history - 1996

More flower series...
kitty history 1997

Hello kitty history - 1997

Traditional Kitty design. Hello Kitty in traditional Japan clothing, also in school uniform, beach uniform, wedding gown. Mermaid Kitty was also a popular design.
kitty history 1998

Hello kitty history - 1998

Kitty's House themepark opened, attracted thousands of visitors a day.
kitty history 1999

Hello kitty history - 1999

Kitty baby series. This series was created in response to a strong request by young mothers who have been loyal fans of Hello Kitty since her debut.

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