10 curiosities about Barbie
- Creation and Debut: Barbie was created by Ruth Handler and first introduced by the American toy company Mattel in March 1959 at the American International Toy Fair in New York City.
- Inspiration: The idea for Barbie came to Ruth Handler when she noticed her daughter, Barbara, playing with paper dolls and giving them adult roles. This observation inspired her to create a three-dimensional adult-like doll.
- Full Name: Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, named after Ruth Handler’s daughter, Barbara. Her last name is Roberts.
- Professions and Careers: Over the years, Barbie has taken on more than 200 careers, ranging from astronaut to veterinarian, showcasing the possibilities for girls’ aspirations and dreams.
- Ken: Barbie’s long-time boyfriend is named Ken, named after Ruth Handler’s son. Ken made his debut in 1961, two years after Barbie.
- Diversity and Inclusion: In recent years, Mattel has focused on making Barbie dolls more diverse and inclusive, with dolls of various ethnicities, body shapes, and abilities, to better reflect the real world.
- Controversies: Barbie has faced controversies over the years, particularly related to body image concerns and perceived unrealistic proportions. Mattel responded by introducing dolls with different body types, such as curvy, tall, and petite.
- Collector’s Items: Some rare and limited-edition Barbie dolls have become highly sought-after collector’s items, often fetching high prices at auctions.
- Barbie’s Pets: Barbie has had a variety of pets over the years, including dogs, cats, horses, and even a panda. Some of her pets have also gained popularity as separate toy lines.
- Barbie in Pop Culture: Barbie has been featured in movies, TV shows, and video games. Notably, she starred in her first animated movie, “Barbie in the Nutcracker,” in 2001, and has been a part of numerous other animated films since then.
Summary
Article Name
10 curiosities about Barbie
Description
These curiosities highlight the rich history and cultural impact of the iconic Barbie doll. Who created the Barbie doll, when, and where?
Author
Mateo Lemos de Pilar
Publisher Name
Actually Notes Magazine
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