Two trolls Designer Thomas Dam 1961 with print underneath the foot Thomas Dam (May 15, 1915 – November 12, 1989) was a Danish woodworker and fisherman associated with Gjøl in Denmark. Dam designed and invented the original troll doll also known as the "Good Luck Troll". He created the toy during a period of financial distress, and carved it from wood. Soon, the family had started up a new business and Dam earned enough to buy himself a small factory where the dolls were produced in plastic. Dam created many different trolls as well as plastic baby dolls. Dam formed "Dam Things" to market the dolls. Dam trolls are now considered collector’s items. [1] [2] [3] [4] Even the Victoria and Albert Museum have one in their collection. [