“Mommy, I want a Barbie doll!” Those must have been the exact words expressed in all languages among every girl at some point in time of her life. The blue eyed 11 ½ inch plastic figure with golden hair, arched eyebrows, moveable legs, arms and sassy red lipstick became every girl’s desire. Making her first appearance in 1959 at the American Toy Fair in New York City, Barbie’s success put her on shelves, inside gift bags and into the homes of all types of girls.
Who ever thought a simple doll could change the way girls looked at themselves and society? “They were using the dolls to project their dreams of their own futures as adult women.” said creator Ruth Handler, as she watched her daughter and friends favor adult female dolls over baby dolls. Handler took her vision of a three-dimensional adult doll to Mattel and named it in honor of her daughter Barbara Handler.
Barbie was set out to make statements. First sold for a jaw dropping $3 dollars; her first ensemble of a trendy black and white bathing suit with sunglasses, open toed shoes and accessories showed that she was a teenage fashion model. Along the line, Barbie’s clothing was inspired by doctors, gymnasts, ballerinas, firefighters, flight attendants and even presidential candidates at the time. In years to come, dolls of different ethnic backgrounds were created with the first being African American. Named after her son, the Ken doll even came into Barbie’s life and carried on its success. Her persona showed girls around the world that their dreams and aspirations had no limitations.
In today’s world you’ll see a few life-sized Barbie’s walking around. This is because the purpose of Barbie has expanded and varies amongst girls, teens and women. Still serving as an inspiration to youngsters, she has now become the alter ego of most women. Though this idea has stirred up controversy, for most being a Barbie is the vision of an all purpose woman who carries herself with confidence.
The little girl that runs home to play with her Barbie still exists. The woman that admires her collection of vintage Barbies, exists as well. Ruth Handler died at the age of 85 but her vision of Barbie still lives on.
