Xavier Roberts
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Xavier Roberts (born 1955, Cleveland, Georgia), the inventor and maker of Cabbage Patch Kids is an American artist and businessman. After learning the German art of soft sculpture, he created a type of doll he called "Little People". Going into business as Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc, Roberts started producing Little People in his hometown of Cleveland, at a converted medical clinic, which he rechristened "Babyland General Hospital". The Little People evolved by 1982 into Cabbage Patch Kids, which quickly became a major toy fad. In 1984 alone, 20 million dolls were bought, and by 1999 95 million had been sold worldwide. Each doll is either hand signed by Mr Roberts, or has his signature stamped on its left buttock.
Besides continuting to run Original Appalacian Artworks, Inc, Xavier Roberts is a classic car collector.