Let's stroll on over and have a visit with Barbie.... You gals will need to wear high heels for this one! ( you guys do what you want, we won't tell ) The Barbie doll was invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler (cofounder of Mattel), whose own daughter was called Barbara. Barbie was introduced to the world at the American Toy Fair in New York City. The doll was intended to be a teenage fashion doll. There has been some controversy over Barbie's figure when it realized that if Barbie was a real person her measurements would be an impossible 36-18-38. The Ken doll was named after Ruth's son. Barbie first had bendable legs in 1965. What you may not know about Barbie's inventor is that Ruth Handler after fighting breast cancer and undergoing a mastectomy in 1970 Ruth Handler, one of the creators of the Barbie Doll, surveyed the market for a suitable prosthetic breast. Disappointed in the options available, she set about designing a replacement breast that was more similar to a natural one. In 1975, Handler received a patent for Nearly Me, a prosthesis made of material close in weight and density to natural breasts. Over half a billion Barbies--over one billion if sales of her sidekick dolls (like Ken and Skipper) are included--have been sold in more than one hundred and forty countries. Each week, Mattel sells over 1.5 million dolls—that's two dolls per second. Ninety percent of all American girls in the last forty years have owned at least one Barbie. If every Barbie doll ever manufactured were laid end to end, they would circle the earth three-and-one-half times. Barbie’s voluptuous figure sparked controversy from the beginning. On a human scale, her measurements translated into 39-21-33. Despite negative responses from mothers in an early marketing study, and amidst doubts from other Mattel executives, Mattel dutifully carried out the request from the company's founders and put Barbie on the market. Barbie made her debut at the American Toy Fair in New York City in 1959. In Barbies first year, Mattel sold 351,000 Barbie dolls at $3 per doll. Thanks to Barbie, Mattel reached a new sales record, the first of countless other sales records to come. The first Barbie doll had black eyeliner, pearl hoop earrings, a zebra striped bathing suit and stiletto heels. All the original clothes were hand sewn. Other original clothes for Barbies wardrobe included a casual outfit for football games, a tennis dress, a bridal gown, and a ballerina tutu. Barbies fashionable wardrobe and accessories have always been a key feature of the Barbie dolls, with outfits along the way created by world famous designers Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Valentino, Perry Ellis, Bob Mackie, Givenchy, Versace, Dolce & Gabana, Vera Wang & Gucci. Mattel also staffs in-house designers who create about a hundred new outfits each year for Barbie. Over 105 million yards of fabric have reportedly been used to produce Barbies clothes since 1959, making Mattel one of the largest apparel manufacturers in the world. In 1961, Barbies hard look was transformed into a softer look with blue eyes, curved eyebrows and a Jackie Onassis hairstyle. Soon to follow were Mod Barbie, Sun Loving Malibu Barbie, Aerobics Barbie, Yuppie Barbie, Astronaut Barbie, Dr. Barbie, Karaoke Barbie, etc., etc. Ken, named after the Handlers son, was introduced in 1961 as Barbies handsome steady. It is interesting to note that Ken had non-removable shorts. In 1963, Barbies best friend, Midge, was introduced and in 1966, the first Black Barbie, Francie, was unveiled. As for the countless other versions of Barbie and her friends, including foreign versions and collectors editions, it would literally take a book to name them all. Once Ken showed up, one group of critics banded together to form the Barbie Liberation Organization, a group who saw Barbie as the embodiment of sexism. Despite the criticisms, playing with Barbie dolls has been credited with enhanced self-image and expanded potential rather than the opposite. As Barbie evolved over the years, she has tackled every conceivable profession, including doctor, dentist, astronaut, firefighter, paleontologist, businesswoman, police officer, olympic athlete--even Presidential candidate! The success of the Barbie doll led Mattel to become a publicly owned company in 1960. In 1963, the Barbie doll and other products were test-marketed overseas. Results were so favorable that licensing agreements were arranged in England, France, Germany, South Africa, Italy and Mexico. Within five years, Mattel joined the ranks of companies on the list of Fortune 500 companies (the largest companies in the U.S.). In 1974, Mattel almost went bankrupt and the Handlers and other Mattel executives were fired after allegations of falsifying financial records. Ruth was indicted by a federal grand jury on securities fraud. Fortunately, Barbie endured and is still the most successful and enduring toy on the market. In fact, ninety percent of all American girls in the last forty years have owned at least one Barbie. Today, the typical American girl today between the ages of 3 and 11 now owns an average of 10 Barbie dolls; in Italy, France and Germany, the typical collection is 5 Barbie dolls. According to Mattel, over one billion Barbie dolls (and family members) have been sold since 1959 in more than one hundred and forty countries. Furthermore, Mattel sells over 1.5 million dolls each week, which is equivalent to 215,286 dolls per day, and to two and a half dolls per second. Finally, if every Barbie doll ever manufactured were laid end to end, they would circle the earth more than seven times! Barbie is the best-selling fashion doll in almost every global market, with worldwide annual sales of $1.5 billion. The best selling Barbie doll ever created was Totally Hair Barbie, introduced in 1992. This Barbie had hair from the top of her head to her toes, and sold more than 10 million units, generating worldwide sales of $100 million U.S. dollars. Barbie Doll collecting is still popular, I started collecting them about 10 years ago myself, I have them stacked up like a toy store display in my room. Through the 70s and most of the 80s, collectors collected pink box (play line) Barbie dolls and vintage, and also foreign Barbies. In 1986, the first porcelain Barbie was produced. This COULD be said to mark the beginning of modern Barbie as a collectible doll, BUT most collectors believe that collectible Barbie really came into her own in 1988 with the introduction of the Happy Holiday series. The first Happy Holidays Doll (not produced in great numbers) was snapped up nearly immediately by collectors of pink box and vintage Barbie dolls that were looking for something new. Things REALLY started to roll after that, with the introduction of the Bob Mackie series in 1990. During 1989-1993, modern Barbie doll collecting slowly built to a crescendo (more porcelain dolls were released, the Mackies rolled along, some new series started) all leading up to the FRENZY caused by the 1994 release of the first vintage reproduction Barbie--the 35th anniversary doll and its gift set. The doll was SO eagerly awaited that it was VERY hard to get. Rumours abounded--very few brunettes would be produced, for instance. MANY new collectors came into the hobby, because of the nostalgia the reproduction induced in women who had long ago lost their childhood vintage ponytail doll. My high heels are killing me, don't know how Barbie does it...see you next time when we go out strolling! If you'd like to return to the Main Page, Just click below. Thank You Pam for the TFF Animation!! Links for Taggin' For Fun I'd Love to Join Taggin' For Fun My Compliments to Candy Do A Stroll On....................... Taggin' For Fun Home Page - Rules & Regulations
The Barbie doll was invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler (cofounder of Mattel), whose own daughter was called Barbara. Barbie was introduced to the world at the American Toy Fair in New York City. The doll was intended to be a teenage fashion doll. There has been some controversy over Barbie's figure when it realized that if Barbie was a real person her measurements would be an impossible 36-18-38. The Ken doll was named after Ruth's son. Barbie first had bendable legs in 1965.
The success of the Barbie doll led Mattel to become a publicly owned company in 1960. In 1963, the Barbie doll and other products were test-marketed overseas. Results were so favorable that licensing agreements were arranged in England, France, Germany, South Africa, Italy and Mexico. Within five years, Mattel joined the ranks of companies on the list of Fortune 500 companies (the largest companies in the U.S.). In 1974, Mattel almost went bankrupt and the Handlers and other Mattel executives were fired after allegations of falsifying financial records. Ruth was indicted by a federal grand jury on securities fraud. Fortunately, Barbie endured and is still the most successful and enduring toy on the market. In fact, ninety percent of all American girls in the last forty years have owned at least one Barbie. Today, the typical American girl today between the ages of 3 and 11 now owns an average of 10 Barbie dolls; in Italy, France and Germany, the typical collection is 5 Barbie dolls.
If you'd like to return to the Main Page, Just click below.
Links for Taggin' For Fun
I'd Love to Join Taggin' For Fun My Compliments to Candy Do A Stroll On....................... Taggin' For Fun Home Page - Rules & Regulations
