Here's a breakdown of her creation:
* 1974: Yuko Shimizu, a young designer at Sanrio, was tasked with creating a new character for a small coin purse. She wanted something cute and appealing to young girls.
* Inspiration: Shimizu drew inspiration from British bobtail cats, known for their short tails and rounded features.
* Design: Shimizu envisioned a simple, minimalist design with a bright red bow, no visible mouth, and a round face.
* Name: The character was initially named "Kitty White," but was later shortened to "Hello Kitty" in 1976.
So, Hello Kitty wasn't made from scratch. She was meticulously designed and brought to life by a talented artist. Her popularity has skyrocketed since her creation, making her a global icon and a symbol of Japanese pop culture.