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Barbie was introduced to the world on March 9, 1959, making her over 60 years old. She was created by Ruth Handler and named after her daughter, Barbara. Barbie has since become an iconic fashion doll, inspiring generations of children and collectors around the world. With her timeless beauty and evolving style, Barbie continues to capture the imagination of people of all ages. Despite her age, Barbie remains a beloved and influential figure in popular culture, proving that she is truly timeless.
It appears that many of the types of entertainment that are popular today require electricity. Some even require an internet connection. Despite the abundance of electronic devices, however, some of our favorite toys are still things like board games, balls, and dolls.
Many children still enjoy playing with these hands-on toys. If you go to the toy section of your local store, you will see that toy cars, hula hoops, and jump ropes are still popular today. And one “old-fashioned” toy may be more popular than ever. What are we talking about? The Barbie doll, of course!
Have you ever played with a doll? While boys might prefer to call them “action figures,” dolls have been popular toys for both boys and girls for hundreds of years. Long ago, dolls were often made at home using materials found around the house, such as pieces of cloth and corn husks.
Throughout most of history, dolls were made to look like babies (hence the term “baby doll”) that young children could pretend to take care of. However, everything changed on March 9, 1959. That’s the day Barbie made her first appearance at the American Toy Fair in New York City.
Inspired by her daughter Barbara, Ruth Handler created the Barbie doll as an older, realistic figure to help children focus on the future and what they might want to become when they grow up. According to Handler, her “entire philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.”
After establishing Mattel Creations with her husband Elliot, Handler made the Barbie doll the first mass-produced doll in the United States with adult features. Its original design was based on Lilli, a German doll that was inspired by a cartoon character. Standing at almost a foot tall with long, blonde hair, the Barbie doll became a tremendous success, selling 300,000 dolls in its first year.
Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, and she is from the fictional town of Willows, Wisconsin. Due to her early popularity, Mattel created other dolls to accompany her, including her boyfriend Ken (named after Handler’s son), best friend Midge, and younger sister Skipper.
Year after year, the range of Barbie toys available expanded. In addition to additional toys such as cars, houses, and fashion outfits, various versions of Barbie herself were produced, representing a wide range of careers, including airline hostess, pilot, doctor, astronaut, Olympic athlete, and even U.S. presidential candidate.
While Barbie’s popularity over the years is undeniable, not everyone is a fan. Many critics argue that Barbie promotes gender stereotypes and unrealistic body image expectations. On the other hand, some argue that Barbie encourages imagination and self-confidence.
Despite the ongoing debate, Barbie remains an enduring icon today. Although Barbie turned 50 years old in 2009, by that time, sales of Barbie merchandise had exceeded $1 billion annually. Since her debut, over 800 million Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide.
Give It a Try
Gather some of your favorite toys, invite a few friends or family members, and try out the following enjoyable activities:
If you’re a fan of Barbie, make sure to visit the Barbie website where you can find a wide range of entertaining games, videos, and activities. You can choose a game to play or watch a video with a friend or family member. Enjoy yourself!
If you don’t have a Barbie doll, now would be a good time to explore the various Barbie dolls available today! Ask an adult friend or family member to take you to a local store that sells Barbie dolls. You’ll be surprised by the wide selection they offer.
For many years, children have used dolls to indulge in pretend play and imagine their future. What do you envision for your own future? Do you aspire to be like a Barbie doll when you grow up? Why or why not? What profession do you think you’ll have? Will you get married? Will you have children of your own someday? Have fun fantasizing about your future!
Sources:
– http://www.barbiemedia.com/about-barbie/history.html
– http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/barbie-makes-her-debut
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