How Barbie Affected American Culture

What toy has everything anyone could ever ask for? (Pause for 2 seconds) If you are thinking of Barbie, then you are correct. Barbie was my favorite toy as a child and it still is for many little girls today. Today, I am going to talk about how Barbie was designed, how she has changed over the years, and how Barbie affects American culture. Here is Barbie’s story. In 1930, a young girl fell in love with a boy. The girl had high hopes of going off to college to become a success woman with a real job in the real world. Her parents weren’t very ecstatic because it wasn’t traditional for a girl to go off to college and not get married and raise a family. She goes to college and also marries the boy she fell in love with in high school. Who
In matters from career, to family and friends, to fashion, she is right there changing along with girls and the world. In the 60’s, Barbie wore sophisticated and elegant styles inspired by the Frist Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. At the end of the decade, Barbie underwent dramatic changes in face sculpting and the new Twist ‘N Turn waist, and bendable legs. In 1961, different hair colors were released, including a shade of red. Barbie also gets her boyfriend, Ken and in 1962, Ken gets a makeover. Barbie got eyes that open and close making her the first doll to do so. Barbie represented an astronaut in 1965 and once again in 1986 and 1994. In 1970’s, Barbie wore everything from the prairie look, the granny dress, to glittery disco styles. Malibu Barbie also hit the beach in the 70’s. The first Olympic athlete Barbie was introduced in 1975. Super-Size Barbie came out in 1977 as 18” tall. In 1980’s, the first Barbie convention was held. Also the first black and Hispanic Barbie’s were introduced. This decade also began the Happy Holidays series. In the 90’s, Barbie’s wardrobe reaches new heights with originals from Dior, Nicole Miller, Vera Wang, and many more of the worlds’ best fashion designers. Barbie also launches her first official website and new CD products that allows girls to design their own fashions. Friendship Barbie was introduced in 1990 to commemorate the tearing down of the Berlin Wall. Army Barbie, introduced in 1992, represented a medic Sergeant enlisted in Desert Storm. In 1999, Barbie walked by herself for the first time. In the 2000’s, Barbie introduced new series like Barbie Fashion Model Collection and the Hollywood Movie Star Collection. Barbie makes her first starring role, Barbie in the Nutcracker. Barbie also inline skates by herself this decade. Barbie undergoes a change and gets a belly button for the first time also. After 51 years, Barbie has had more than 125