Barbie Doll, manufactured by Mattel, reaches store shelves on September 6, 1959.
The creation of Barbie, one of the world's most iconic toys, began in 1956 when Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, was inspired by a German doll named Lilli. Handler noticed her daughter Barbara playing with paper dolls of adult women and sought to create a three-dimensional adult-figured doll for children.
Lilli, a risqué adult-themed doll produced from 1955 to 1964 in West Germany, was the original inspiration. Originally based on a comic strip character created in 1952 for a German tabloid newspaper, Lilli was depicted as a provocative, sassy woman, sometimes described as a high-class escort or companion. However, Ruth Handler adapted the concept into a teenage fashion model doll suitable for young children, thus founding the Barbie brand.
Lilli's name was changed to Barbie during the clean-up process before her introduction to the American public. The saucy cousin of Barbie, inspired by Lilli's character, also underwent changes to become a more suitable role model for young girls. Despite these changes, the saucy cousin maintained a connection to her risqué roots.
Barbie made her official debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York City on March 9, 1959. Since then, Barbie has adapted to women's fashion trends, ranging from 1960s Parisienne chic to bell bottoms to business class. She has also accumulated a group of friends, including the Ken doll, who was introduced two years later in 1961.
Barbie's influence extends beyond fashion. Over four decades, she has offered young girls the opportunity to explore various careers, from astronauts to doctors to presidents. Today, vintage Barbie dolls are sought after by serious collectors who pay large sums of money for them, and recent Barbies come equipped with iPods.
However, Barbie's body type has been a subject of controversy over the years, with critics arguing that her measurements are unrealistic and could distort young girls' views of beauty and appearance. Despite this, Barbie remains one of the world's most recognizable toys, having been introduced in 1959 at the American Toy Fair in New York City.
In conclusion, Barbie's origin lies in adapting the adult Lilli doll's concept into a child-friendly, fashionable teenage doll, which revolutionized the toy market and became Mattel's best-selling product. Today, Barbie is available in numerous career or theme styles, including "Cinco de Mayo", "Alice in Wonderland", and "Barbie Learns to Cook", continuing to inspire and captivate young minds.
[1] The History of Barbie [2] The Inspirations Behind Barbie [3] The Evolution of Barbie [4] The Story of Barbie
[1] The creation of Barbie, an influential and fashionable doll, was inspired by a German adult-themed doll named Lilli. [4] Over the years, Barbie has reflected changes in women's lifestyle, fashion, and beauty, including home and garden, through various themes and career options in her doll line.
