There can be few women or girls who did not have a Barbie Doll when they were young. Barbie was - and still is for many - everyone’s favourite doll. Lots of women go on to collect Barbies with their many outfits and accessories and there is something for all occasions in Barbie’s wardrobe.

Barbie was invented back in 1959 by Ruth Handler and named after her own daughter, Barbara. Ruth and her husband, Elliot, were co-founders of the Mattel toy company and Barbie received an enthusiastic welcome from Mattel’s board of directors.

Barbie was first shown to the public at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. This date has now become Barbie’s official birthday. In 1959, the original Barbie sold for $3 and in the first year Mattel sold over 350,000 dolls! Within the first ten years of production, Barbie Dolls and accessories had earned over $500 Million! Barbie is now a $1.5 Billion industry.

Barbie No. 1

The first Barbie Doll wore a zebra-striped swimsuit and a top knot ponytail for which Barbie is famous. She was available as a blonde or a brunette and sold as a Teenage Fashion Model. Mattel designer Charlotte Johnson created many outfits for her.

The first Barbie Dolls were made in Japan and their clothes stitched by hand by Japanese working at home.

Barbie has had several face and body lifts! One major change was in 1971 when Barbie’s eyes were made to look forwards rather than sideways which gave her a demure look.

There has been much criticism over Barbie’s figure. She’s 11.5” tall which, at 1/6^th scale, would make a real person 5’ 9”  in height. Her long limbs give her an unnaturally slim look which, in a real person, would make them anorexic. Her vital statistics would be 36-18-33. Later versions of the doll have Barbie with a slightly expanded waist.

True to her Teenage Fashion Model title,  Barbie has had hundreds of outfits and accessories have been designed for her and she has clothes for every imaginable occasion.

She has also filled many occupational roles from doctor and dentist to fire fighter and astronaut. Other roles include UNICEF volunteer, athlete, police woman and business woman. Playing with Barbie is intended to enhance a girl’s self-image and help them make more of their potential. With Barbie you can be anyone you want to be. In fact, Barbie has had over 80 careers! She has also represented over 45 different nationalities.

Barbie’s Friends and Family

Over the years, Barbie’s family has grown enormously. The second most famous doll in history is probably Barbie’s friend Ken named, naturally, after Ruth Handler’s son. Ken was launched in 1961.

Other family members and friends include Skipper (Barbie’s sister), Tutti & Todd (twin brother and sister), Midge, Christie, baby sister Kelly, and Becky (a disabled friend in a wheelchair). Even friends were given friends: Alan and Brad (Ken’s friends), Skooter (Skipper’s friend), and Chris (Tutti’s friend).

Barbie has also had a massive collection of pets; no less than 21 dogs, 6 cats, 3 ponies, 12 horses, a parrot, a chimp, a zebra, a lion cub and a giraffe.

Barbie Goes To The Movies

Barbie’s popularity naturally gave rise to additional products such as movies, books, home furnishings and video games. You can also buy Barbie costumes for girls - and for grown-ups! There are also ranges of Collectible Barbies and ornaments.

Interest and delight in Barbie show no sign of slowing down. She remains as popular now as she was ever was. She continues to enchant little girls while many mothers enjoy collecting them for their children and to remind them of the Barbie magic they enjoyed when they were small.