The Strange History of CPR Dolls
“I’m standing in a city of sin and death over here!”
What do a mysterious drowning victim, CPR training, and Michael Jackson have in common? More than you’d think. In our latest Toonsplained video, we unravel the bizarre connections between Paris’ famous Seine River, the world’s most-kissed CPR doll, and one of the King of Pop’s most iconic lyrics.
It all starts in the 1880s when the body of an unidentified young woman was pulled from the Seine. No one knew who she was, but her eerily serene face captivated the public. Death masks of “L’Inconnue de la Seine” became a 19th-century obsession, with her image appearing in art, literature, and even on the walls of French homes.
Fast-forward to the 1950s, Norwegian toymaker Asmund Laerdal needed a realistic face for his new CPR training mannequin. Inspired by the death mask, he created Resusci Anne—the same doll used in CPR classes worldwide. Instructors practicing chest compressions often ask, “Annie, are you okay?” to check if students are following the steps correctly.
Sound familiar? That’s because when Michael Jackson released Smooth Criminal in 1988, the song’s iconic line—“Annie, are you okay?”—was likely borrowed straight from CPR training. So next time you hear that lyric, remember: you’re listening to a direct descendant of a French mystery, CPR class, and pop culture magic.
