When Sanrio founder Shintaro Tsuji chose illustrator Yuko Shimizu in 1974 as his company’s artist and asked her to draw a white cat, there’s no way they could have foreseen the joy a few simple lines would bring to the masses. Since first appearing on a vinyl coin purse in 1975, Hello Kitty has won the hearts of people of all ages, all over the world. You can find her adorable face on just about everything, from school supplies and backpacks to toaster ovens and electric guitars. But she's more than just a cute cartoon character—she's become a symbol for love and kindness, for being a good friend and neighbor, and for encouraging communication. She’s a bridge that traverses culture clashes, language barriers and international borders. This is Hello Kitty's story.