Preview

Barbie Trace Back To The 1950's

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
883 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Barbie Trace Back To The 1950's
The history of Barbie’s trace back to the 1950’s. Dolls have generally changed in size and appearance over the years. Growing up every holiday, birthday or Christmas I would want a new doll. My mother was the same way, as soon as she found out she was having a daughter she found all her old dolls to pass on. My favorite doll she passed down to me was her Barbie. Barbie dolls were the coolest dolls because they had different hair and different eye colors. Still to this day Barbie’s have been produced with different changes and appearances but still the same original basics of looks. Barbie’s are iconic because they can be traced back to the 1950’s, most young girls will play with dolls their mothers past down to them and because most people …show more content…
I remember getting my mother’s old Barbie dolls and wondering why her long blonde hair was different. Since Barbie’s were created there has been several different versions of these dolls. Controversies came in an uproar about the skinny, white, long blonde haired Barbie. So, the Barbie company created African-American or brunette and men Barbie dolls. Other issues people had with the dolls were this mistreatment of the dolls. For an example, “Malibu Barbie, shimmery and golden. My parents couldn't afford the Dream house, so my doll lived in a pinewood box. I hand-sewed her bed and sofa with jagged, tangled stitches. I gifted her hand puppets and sock dresses, then chopped her hair into uneven patches. I grew a year older and gave her up to my brother and his friends, who ripped off her head and crammed her body with firecrackers. Her limbs, caked with black soot, scattered in the front yard, discovered by the dog weeks later.” (Ibarra, 34) Personally I don’t think they way children treat their toys should be a huge controversial issue. Children are going to do whatever they want with their toys. Some kids may throw their Barbie’s around or they may treat them like their “Babies”. (Omni, 16, 76.) Omni made an article about a lady named Barbara Bell who had some different view toward her responses from the disrespect of the Barbie’s. “Hearing of her experience, Bell's colleagues suggested she channel Barbie. So, Bell started the Barbie Channeling Newsletter. For $3, she sends readers Barbie's answer to a personal query along with a copy of the newsletter. “"I go into a light trance," says Bell, 44, whose nickname is also Barbie, "”and the words come flying out. There are 700 million Barbie dolls in the world with no voice that's real." Do Barbie’s or dolls in general have a mind of their own to show

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Since March 9th, 1959 the United States has had a very influential piece of plastic, called the Barbie. Barbie was created by Ruth Handler, of Mattel Inc. after discovering a doll in Germany named Bild Lilli. The Barbie doll was named after Ruth Handler’s daughter, Barbara. The Barbie was introduced to the United Sates at a time when the word “teenager” was becoming a popular trend on television and in movies. A teenager is the time between childhood and adult life. Mattel took the opportunity to release Barbie at this ideal time. It was released as a teenage fashion model. Although the Barbie was pricey, many girls loved the idea and the Barbie doll became a very popular toy. With becoming popular Barbie had a huge impact. Barbie has negatively influenced body image, stereotypical female rolls, and enforced commercialism. Although, it has modernized…

    • 731 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    • 1076 Words
    • 5 Pages

    I’ll admit it; I absolutely loved playing with Barbie’s as a child! I must have had like twenty of them. She had everything: a dream house, Ken, plenty of friends, and a slender body with all the right curves, everything I dreamed of having when I grew up. “En Garde, Princess!” by Mary Grace Lord, challenges why every girl loves Barbie. Her article appeared in the online magazine Salon under the “Mothers Who Think” department on October 27, 2000, before the launch of a new doll line called the Get Real Girls, which were created by Julz Chavez. In this article Lord uses repetition, ethos, comparison and name calling to convince the reader that Barbie will soon encounter a fierce competitor, a better role model, which may finally dethrone her as the best selling doll of all time, or at least “punch a few holes in her sales” (423).…

    • 1076 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Poem “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy is about a girl who struggles with her body image. The speaker in the poem acts as an observer; watching the girl encounter different experiences as it related to her body image. Today’s generation is much similar to the life of the girl in this poem. Girls are forced to keep up with rising standards that are overwhelming and destructive. This poem uses form, imagery, and word choice to express how society chooses not to accept girls who do not represent the “ideal” woman.…

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    History of Barbie Dolls

    • 405 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Barbie’s Debut (cont.) Barbie came in either blonde or brunette, and red hair was introduced in 1961. Barbie did have a black friend named Christie who was introduced in 1969. Barbie was from Willows, Wisconsin and was a teenage supermodel. Barbie was actually inspired by a German doll named Bild Lilli.…

    • 405 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Barbie dolls show the traditional gender roles in the traditional gender myth that a woman should be a good mother who should have traits like femininity, mother love, patience and honesty. The Barbie pool’s package is full of pink, which reflects that girls should be full of love. She is wearing a swimsuit and holding a water polo with her hands. That is lovely. The swimsuit fully displays her good figure which shapes a good mother image. The water polo stands for her love of pets. The towel she’s holding gives people a message that she’s going to bathe her puppies and she’s going to use the towel to dry her little puppies. Her actions show that she is a caring woman. Her sweet smile shows that she is very patient and lovely. The Barbie doll gives a lovely impression to everyone, and sets a…

    • 1415 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    barbies

    • 1415 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Starting from 1959, the revolution of Barbie Dolls have had serious affects today’s society, especially with women. They have been more than controversial, sparking debates throughout the world. Today, Barbie’s are beginning to change, but long ago they were the idols of many young girls. Having Barbie as an idol seems ideal, but has had nothing but negative affects on girls self confidence their self esteem. Barbie’s have presented unrealistic expectations from women, and represent an unattainable goal for young girls and blossoming young women.…

    • 1415 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    barbie doll analysis

    • 523 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Simple words can drive a person to be happy and successful however, they can also turn fates hand on the innocent few and chase them around their whole lives until they cannot run anymore. Barbie Doll is a tragic poem that tells us about the girlchild’s life from childhood to puberty. Throughout her life the girlchild was bullied and harassed about her appearance because she didn’t live up to the social view of how a young woman should look. So with sadness and the yearning to be accepted she was driven to the point of taking her life. I believe if one soul had the kindness to tell her how beautiful she actually was, the outcome of the story would have changed completely.…

    • 523 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    barbie speech

    • 1032 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Barbie doll was invented by a woman named Ruth Handler in 1959. Ruth had a daughter named Barbra and noticed that she would make paper dolls and enjoyed giving them adult roles. During that time there were not many dolls that were adult like. Most represented infants known as the baby doll. Ruth shared her idea with her husband who was the co founder of the Mattel Toy Company. Initially he was unenthusiastic about the idea. Saying that the idea was to expensive and wouldn’t be marketable. Ruth’s idea was inspired by the Lilli doll which was based on a popular comic strip. The Lilli doll was a blonde bombshell, working girl who Ruth felt represented women in a positive view. Despite Ruth’s initial support from her husband she worked on her design of the doll with her engineer friend Jack Ryan. The doll was given the name Barbie named after Ruth’s daughter Barbara. The doll debuted at the American International Toy fair March 9, 1959. This date is also used as Barbie’s birthday. When the Barbie Doll was launched she was introduced as a teenage fashion model. She was available in blonde or brunette wearing a black and white bathing suit, pony tail, sandals and e6\ar rings. Over the years the Barbie design has changed in many ways. For example, in 1971 the dolls eyes were adjusted to look forward instead of a sideways glance. In 1961 a red haired Barbie was added to the collection. 19 years later in 1980 the first African American and Hispanic Barbie doll was launched. Ever since 1959 the Barbie doll phenomenon has not slowed down and still sells…

    • 1032 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The case examines the evolution of the Barbie doll over the years from its launch in 1959. It explores the product development strategies adopted by Mattel for Barbie and the reasons for the success of Barbie. The case also explores changes in Barbie 's image along with the changes in American society. The criticism leveled against Barbie by feminists has also been described. The case also examines the challenges that Barbie could face in the future with the launch of Disney Princess.…

    • 1001 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Barbie - Icon

    • 728 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Most American women who are today in their twenties or thirties grew up with Barbie and view the doll as a factor (positive or negative) in their own psychological development.…

    • 728 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Barbie

    • 989 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Barbie had a huge influence in my life. As I was growing up, my parents were getting a divorce and my older sister was living in group home. I stayed with my dad, and hardly saw my mom and sister. It was tough growing up, I didn’t have anyone to teach me how to dress, or even how to do your hair, girly things that my dad couldn’t help me with. I still remember the day when I first bought Barbie. My dad and I walked into Ventures, and the first place I ran to was the toy section. My dad felt bad for me always having to look at Barbie and not ever buying her, to my surprise, he said “go ahead, you can have her.” I was so happy. She came with two outfits, two shoes, and a kitchen set. I remember looking at her, how fit she was, and what nice outfits she came with. I would tell myself, “this is the life I want when I…

    • 989 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Barbie Case Study Answer

    • 2827 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Barbie was considered an icon of American culture across the world and a representation of the richness and luxurious lifestyle of the Americans. She was also regarded as a role model who inspired young girls to become independent and self independent.…

    • 2827 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Barbie which is produced by Mattle is the most known and successful baby doll all around the world. So there is a reason underlying this success. Firstly, Mattel’s global marketing strategy involves adapting fashion trends and cultural differences to its product. Since, Barbie has been successfully adapted to cultural differences in the United States, Mattel tried to adopt a regiocentric approach for Western European market. However, Mattel improved a less elaborate Barbie for Central and Eastern European market than its European counterpart. While Barbie prepared for Western Europe market wears designer clothes and accessories, Barbie prepared for rest of the Europe wears more basic clothes due to experience of communistic lifestyle. However, it was appeared that well-known American Barbie is preferred by little girls in Europe. Moreover, it was also discovered that Barbie does not need an overhaul, but small cosmetic changes can be made. The best example is India because when core product remains unchanged, Indian dolls are painted with a head spot and dressed in a sari. In Japan, the situation is the same. However, the first time Mattel adapted Barbie to Japanese culture by forming a strategic partnership with Bandai, Japan’s largest toy company. Then Mattel discovered once again well-known Barbie is preferred instead local versions.…

    • 1091 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Hello Kitty

    • 2716 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Barbie doll is a fictional character, born on March 1959. First introduced as the original fashion model, Barbie doll has since had more than 130 careers, represented more than 40 different nationalities and collaborated with more than 75 different fashion designers. Through out the years, the Barbie brand has evolved with girls, extending into entertainment, online and has 45 different consumer products categories. Barbie has TV commercials, cartoons and celebrity gossip magazine . Barbie dolls is a very successful brand allover the world but most especially in America it is number one brand when it comes to Barbie dolls.…

    • 2716 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Innovation and Barbie

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Every year, different Barbie dolls are introduced, with new outfits keeping her trendy and always “in style”. Allowing costumers to create their own look with whatever most suits them.…

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics