This Day In History: March 9
March | 9
1959
This Day in History: 03/09/1959 - Barbie makes her debut
On March 9, 1959, the first Barbie doll goes on display at the American Toy Fair in New York City.
Eleven inches tall, with a waterfall of blond hair, Barbie was the first mass-produced toy doll in the United States with adult features. The woman behind Barbie was Ruth Handler, who co-founded Mattel, Inc. with her husband in 1945. After seeing her young daughter ignore her baby dolls to play make-believe with paper dolls of adult women, Handler realized there was an important niche in the market for a toy that allowed little girls to imagine the future.
Barbie’s appearance was modeled on a doll named Lilli, based on a German comic strip character. Originally marketed as a racy gag gift to adult men in tobacco shops, the Lilli doll later became extremely popular with children. Mattel bought the rights to Lilli and made its own version, which Handler named after her daughter, Barbara. With its sponsorship of the “Mickey Mouse Club” TV program in 1955, Mattel became one of the first toy companies to broadcast commercials to children. They used this medium to promote their new toy, and by 1961, the enormous consumer demand for the doll led Mattel to release a boyfriend for Barbie. Handler named him Ken, after her son. Barbie’s best friend, Midge, came out in 1963; her little sister, Skipper, debuted the following year.
Over the years, Barbie generated huge sales—and a lot of controversy. On the positive side, many women saw Barbie as providing an alternative to traditional 1950s gender roles. She has had a series of different jobs, from airline stewardess, doctor, pilot and astronaut to Olympic athlete and even U.S. presidential candidate. Others thought Barbie’s never-ending supply of designer outfits, cars and “Dream Houses” encouraged kids to be materialistic. It was Barbie’s appearance that caused the most controversy, however. Her tiny waist and enormous breasts–it was estimated that if she were a real woman, her measurements would be 36-18-38–led many to claim that Barbie provided little girls with an unrealistic and harmful example and fostered negative body image.
Despite the criticism, sales of Barbie-related merchandise continued to soar, topping 1 billion dollars annually by 1993. Since 1959, over one billion dolls in the Barbie family have been sold around the world and Barbie is now a bona fide global icon.
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U.S. PresidentsAs a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of cultural phenomena and historical events, let's delve into the fascinating history of the iconic Barbie doll and its debut on March 9, 1959. My wealth of knowledge comes from a thorough exploration of cultural and historical milestones, allowing me to provide a comprehensive overview of the concepts introduced in the article.
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Barbie's Origin and Ruth Handler's Vision:
- The article highlights that Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, Inc., introduced Barbie in response to her daughter's preference for playing with adult paper dolls rather than traditional baby dolls.
- Handler's realization of a market niche for a doll that allowed girls to imagine their future marked a significant shift in toy design and marketing strategy.
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Lilli Doll Influence:
- Barbie's appearance was inspired by the Lilli doll, originally a racy gag gift for adults that gained popularity among children. Mattel acquired the rights to Lilli and created its own version, naming it Barbie after Handler's daughter, Barbara.
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Expansion of Barbie's World:
- The article mentions the introduction of Barbie's boyfriend, Ken, in 1961, named after Handler's son. Barbie's best friend, Midge, debuted in 1963, and her little sister, Skipper, followed in the subsequent year.
- Mattel's innovative use of television commercials, particularly with the sponsorship of the "Mickey Mouse Club" in 1955, played a crucial role in promoting Barbie.
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Controversies Surrounding Barbie:
- Barbie's impact on societal norms and gender roles is discussed, with positive views emphasizing her diverse range of professions, from astronaut to presidential candidate.
- Controversies around Barbie's physical appearance, including her tiny waist and large breasts, are outlined, with critics arguing that she sets unrealistic and harmful body image standards for young girls.
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Cultural Impact and Sales:
- Despite controversies, Barbie became a cultural icon, challenging traditional gender roles. Sales of Barbie-related merchandise exceeded 1 billion dollars annually by 1993.
- Over one billion Barbie dolls have been sold globally since 1959, solidifying Barbie's status as a global phenomenon.
In addition to the Barbie doll debut, the article briefly touches on other historical events on March 9th, such as the Russian Bolshevik Party becoming the Communist Party in 1918 and a lawsuit prompting Major League Baseball to allow locker room access to female reporters in 1979. These events provide a broader context of the world during the Barbie doll's introduction.
Feel free to explore any specific aspect or ask further questions related to this captivating chapter in cultural history!
