The doll countless people know and love, Barbie, has been around for a long time – since 1959 to be exact. The toy has been making little girls happy since its creation, and there is one person, in particular, to thank for the idea that revolutionized toys all over the world!
The Beginning of Barbie
The doll that made everyone fantasize about everything they could be and inspired countless variations, came out in 1959. It was after the creator, Ruth Handler, looked at her daughter Barbara some years before and noticed her playing with a paper doll. She thought, why not make something more permanent with interchangeable clothes, professions, and much more? And that’s how the doll came to life. Ruth named it after her daughter.
Everything Happens for a Reason
Ruth had help with the creation of Barbie by her husband, Elliot Handler. The gorgeous doll’s first ad was a woman singing from the point of view of a little girl who sings that one day she’ll be whatever she wants, but for now, she’ll live through the little doll. Shortly after, in 1961, she got her boyfriend, Ken, named after Ruth’s son, oddly enough. Then she got a little sister, Skipper, and on the story goes.
The Story Continues
The doll became as popular as it was controversial. In 1980, the first doll of color was introduced to the market. The popular doll has had more than 250 careers, and Ruth has an insight into the idea. She explained that her concept for the doll named after her daughter was to represent women’s choices in the world. It was to be inspiring – a motivation for little girls, showing them they could be anything!
An Open Choice for All
No matter how diverse Barbie has become and how many models have come and gone over the years, one thing remains the same – she can be whatever the child wants her to be! Once the box is open, her clothes can be changed, and so can her job. Elizabeth Chin, anthropologist, and professor in Pasadena, California, states that little kids can use the doll in countless situations, so it boosts creativity as well.
Babie is the representation of the past and the future because children can make the doll have a career that’s relevant now or that will be relevant in the future. Ruth’s idea is for children to play and imagine whatever situation they want will live in the future!