The iconic Barbie doll went on display for the first time on March 9, 1959, at the American Toy Fair in New York City.Barbie was created by Ruth Handler, who co-founded the toy manufacturing company Mattel with her husband in 1945. Handler came up with the idea for the toy after seeing her young daughter ignore her baby dolls to play with paper dolls of adult women.Barbie was the first mass-produced toy doll in the U.S. with adult features.The doll's original design was based on a German doll named Lilli, which was originally marketed as a raunchy gag gift for adult men. Mattel bought the rights to Lilli, and Handler renamed it "Barbie" after her daughter, Barbara.Over the years, the Barbie doll has generated a lot of controversy, mainly surrounding its appearance. Many claimed that Barbie’s slim waist and large bust created an unrealistic body image for young girls.On the other hand, many viewed the doll and its series of now more than 200 career options as an inspiration to children because it provided an image different from traditional 1950s gender roles.Handler wanted Barbie to convey that "a little girl could be anything she wanted to be and that she has choices," according to Mattel's website.Due to the doll's increasing popularity, Mattel released a boyfriend for Barbie in 1961 named Ken, which was named after Handler's son, Kenneth.Since its launch in 1959, over 1 billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide.
The iconic Barbie doll went on display for the first time on March 9, 1959, at the American Toy Fair in New York City.
Barbie was created by Ruth Handler, who co-founded the toy manufacturing company Mattel with her husband in 1945. Handler came up with the idea for the toy after seeing her young daughter ignore her baby dolls to play with paper dolls of adult women.
Barbie was the first mass-produced toy doll in the U.S. with adult features.
The doll's original design was based on a German doll named Lilli, which was originally marketed as a raunchy gag gift for adult men. Mattel bought the rights to Lilli, and Handler renamed it "Barbie" after her daughter, Barbara.
Over the years, the Barbie doll has generated a lot of controversy, mainly surrounding its appearance. Many claimed that Barbie’s slim waist and large bust created an unrealistic body image for young girls.
On the other hand, many viewed the doll and its series of now more than 200 career options as an inspiration to children because it provided an image different from traditional 1950s gender roles.
Handler wanted Barbie to convey that "a little girl could be anything she wanted to be and that she has choices," according to Mattel's website.
Due to the doll's increasing popularity, Mattel released a boyfriend for Barbie in 1961 named Ken, which was named after Handler's son, Kenneth.
Since its launch in 1959, over 1 billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide.
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