History Of the Barbie
The Barbie Doll
While some women felt that they were too provocative for their daughters to play with, Barbie Dolls have shaped America’s young girls and women for decade. Barbie has an “I can do it all!” attitude, which inspiring to many young girls while growing up. Though there have been some changes over the years, Barbie is a bona fide, worldwide icon.
Ruth Handler was the creator of Barbie Dolls. She and her husband, Elliot, founded the company Mattel in 1945. Ruth was inspired by her daughter, Barbara and her friends. They would play teenage/adult make-believe with paper dolls. Ruth recognized that this play was and important part of growing up. She noticed that there was a void in this product are and wanted to fill it with a three-dimensional fashion doll.
While on vacation in Switzerland, Ruth found Lilli, a German cartoon that also helped inspire Barbie. While Lilli, a “symbol of sex and pornography,” was not meant for young girls, she still caught the eye of Ruth. She purchased one, and sent it with an executive to Japan, where negotiations on this doll were being made. Japan agreed to create a doll similar to Lilli, planning to make her look less like a “street walker.” They made her using “rotation-molding” which gave her a softer appearance and helped shape her details.
Many fashion designers of the time contributed to Barbie’s wardrobe by designing various outfits for her. Many of her outfits were hygiene and homemaking influenced. In 1958, dolls were being manufactured and sent to America for final proofing. The first Barbie doll was on display in 1959 at the American Toy Fair in New York City. This would become the first toy produced in the U.S. with adult features. Barbie was first condemned for her sexiness. But after a year of intense marketing and advertising, the “Barbie Boom” began.
Over the years, Barbie has had many effects on people. She reflected many social points and periods. Her many must-have accessories represented the
While some women felt that they were too provocative for their daughters to play with, Barbie Dolls have shaped America’s young girls and women for decade. Barbie has an “I can do it all!” attitude, which inspiring to many young girls while growing up. Though there have been some changes over the years, Barbie is a bona fide, worldwide icon.
Ruth Handler was the creator of Barbie Dolls. She and her husband, Elliot, founded the company Mattel in 1945. Ruth was inspired by her daughter, Barbara and her friends. They would play teenage/adult make-believe with paper dolls. Ruth recognized that this play was and important part of growing up. She noticed that there was a void in this product are and wanted to fill it with a three-dimensional fashion doll.
While on vacation in Switzerland, Ruth found Lilli, a German cartoon that also helped inspire Barbie. While Lilli, a “symbol of sex and pornography,” was not meant for young girls, she still caught the eye of Ruth. She purchased one, and sent it with an executive to Japan, where negotiations on this doll were being made. Japan agreed to create a doll similar to Lilli, planning to make her look less like a “street walker.” They made her using “rotation-molding” which gave her a softer appearance and helped shape her details.
Many fashion designers of the time contributed to Barbie’s wardrobe by designing various outfits for her. Many of her outfits were hygiene and homemaking influenced. In 1958, dolls were being manufactured and sent to America for final proofing. The first Barbie doll was on display in 1959 at the American Toy Fair in New York City. This would become the first toy produced in the U.S. with adult features. Barbie was first condemned for her sexiness. But after a year of intense marketing and advertising, the “Barbie Boom” began.
Over the years, Barbie has had many effects on people. She reflected many social points and periods. Her many must-have accessories represented the
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