A ragdoll is a type of toy that is characterized by its soft and floppy body, made from materials such as cotton or velvet. The name comes from the fact that these dolls are designed to be limp and lifeless when picked up, much like a ragdoll would behave in real life. They often have jointed limbs and can be posed in various positions, but lack any internal mechanism for maintaining those positions. Ragdolls were popularized by the British company "Raggedy Ann & Andy, Inc." in 1954 when they introduced a line of rag dolls based on characters created by Johnny Gruelle in 1918. Today, ragdolls are still widely recognized as a classic toy and remain popular among children and collectors alike.