Some Influential Ladies in My Life

Did you know that today is the anniversary that Barbie Dolls were introduced to the world at the New York Toy Fair (back in 1959)?

The History of Barbie

The first Barbie Doll was launched back in March 1959 by Ruth Handler. To this day over one billion barbies have been sold!

Ruth’s daughter, Barbara, enjoyed playing with paper dolls, giving them adult roles. as opposed to the baby dolls girls her age would play with. Elliot, Barbara’s husband and co-founder of Mattel wasn’t too keen on the idea.

A German toy doll called Bild Lilli caught Ruth’s eye while on a trip to Germany with the kids. This doll looked like an adult – something Barbara wanted to play with. Bild was a blonde bombshell, a working girl who knew what she wanted. First sold in Germany in 1955 to adults, it soon became popular with children who enjoyed dressing her up in different outfits that could be purchased separately.

Redesigned and renamed this doll, Barbie was a BIG hit!

The first Barbie doll wore a black and white zebra striped swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail – either blonde or brunette. Barbie was a “Teen-age Fashion Model” with hand-stitched clothing by Japanese homeworkers.

My Love For Barbie Dolls!

Growing up, I loved my Barbie dolls. I remember playing with Barbie, Ken, Skipper, and all of their pets. I changed them in and out of many outfits (many, many missing tiny shoes that were probably sucked up by the vacuum); drove them around my basement in the Barbie Jeep that I had to have (and later rolled my guinea pigs around my basement in).

I soon graduated to the Barbie computer game!

Bringing it Back…Way Back!

Remember the Commodore 64? Wow…I am totally dating myself. That game was the coolest back then – Ken would call Barbie on the phone and ask her to go out somewhere, and then it was your “job” to drive her around town and pick out her outfit, hair, everything. The line, “Sounds like fun!” still resonates in my head – and my dad does a great rendition of it too (ha ha). I cannot believe I just found this on YouTube…

I had to get the “Dana” Barbie doll when it came out…to have a Barbie with your name. Dana was part of the band, Barbie and the Rockers.

As I was doing my research for this post, we came across the BEST BARBIE OF ALL TIME!!!

Lo and behold….the AUDREY HEPBURN Breakfast at Tiffany’s Barbie Doll!

1998 Audrey Hepburn "Breakfast at Tiffanys" Barbie Doll

I think I need one of these Barbie dolls…so if anyone wonders what I would like for any holiday!

Why Barbie was Influential For Me

I never looked at Barbie as having off-proportioned bodily dimensions. I looked to her as the doll that could do anything. She could be a doctor, fashion designer, teacher…you name it!

Skipper was her younger, adventurous sister (like my sister and I!), with a super cute male friend – Ken.

Did you grow up with Barbie Dolls? If so, which one was your favorite?