Barbie
Barbie is the world's best-selling doll and was first sold on March 9, 1959. The best-selling Barbie was one released in 1992, Totally Hair Barbie, with stylable hair so long it reached from her head down to her toes. DevelopmentRuth Handler had noted that her daughter Barbara preferred playing with paper dolls that looked like adults rather than like children. During a trip to Europe with her daughter, Handler noticed a German doll named Lilli and bought it for Barbara. In fact, the Lilli doll was based on the character of a prostitute in a comic strip drawn by Reinhard Beuthin for die Bild Zeitung. The Lilli doll was first sold in Germany in 1955. The dolls were manufactured in Hamburg, where legal, licensed prostitutes are ubiquitous. The doll was marketed to adult men in bars and tobacco shops, not to children. M. G. Lord, in her Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll, characterized the original doll as a "gag gift for men, a pornographic character." [1] (http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/1997/11/26harlot.html) Ruth Handler says that when she bought Lilli for her daughter, she was ignorant of its adult nature. Ruth Handler and Elliott Handler, the co-founders of Mattel, bought the rights to market Lilli: with a hair color change from blonde to brunette, and a name change to Barbie (after Ruth's daughter Barbara) she was sold in the United States starting in 1959 at New York's annual Toy Fair. The first Barbie doll had a black-and-white striped swimsuit and signature ponytail. In the succeeding years, Mattel fashion designer Charlotte Johnson based Barbie doll fashion designs on the Paris fashions. Ruth Handler had stated that she thought it "was important to a girl's esteem that she play with a doll with breasts," and Barbie was certainly qualified to be that doll. If the doll originally marketed were human-sized, her measurements would have been 39 by 18 by 33 in. These measurements were not based on actual human metrics, and the unrealistic size of Barbie has been controversial, with many suggesting that playing with Barbie decreases rather than enhances a girl's self-esteem. In response to criticism, Mattel adjusted the chest measurement down, and the waist measurement up, though the proportions are still uncharacteristic of most women. Redesigned by Jack Ryan and manufactured by Mattel, this one doll is a $1.9 billion dollar a year industry, with two Barbies being bought every second. Biography of Barbara Millicent RobertsBarbie's fictional biography has developed as her sales continued. She has been given the fuller name Barbara Millicent Roberts, and a family and friends have been manufactured for her, starting with her permanent beau Ken. Additions to the family tree include Skipper (debut 1964), twins Tutti and Todd (1966), Stacie (1992), Kelly (1995), and baby Krissy (1999). Barbie has dated Ken since 1961, and after a long estrangement was reunited with her best friend Midge in the early nineties. Other longstanding friends in Barbie's ethnically diverse social circle include Hispanic Teresa, African-American Christie and Steven (Christie's boyfriend), and the ethnically-ambiguous Kayla.
Barbie has been said to attend Willows High School in Willows, Wisconsin and Manhattan International High School in New York City (based on the real-life Stuyvesant High School). Barbie has thirty-eight recorded pets, including cats and dogs, horses, a panda, a lion cub, and a zebra. Barbie has used her driver's license to the fullest, with pink convertibles, trailers and more. She also has a pilot's license, and operates commercial airliners, when not serving as a stewardess. Ken Carson c.1960Barbie and Ken's break-upOn February 12, 2004, just days before Valentine's, Mattel spokespeople announced the split of Barbie and Ken after 43 years of dating, saying in their press release that they "have decided to spend some time apart." "Barbie and Ken have always been an extraordinary couple with so much on- and off-screen chemistry," said the pair's business manager, Russell Arons, Vice President Marketing, Mattel. "In fact, they just finished wrapping their fourth movie together, 'Barbie™ as The Princess and the Pauper,' which debuts this fall. And now they feel it's time to spend some quality time – apart." A Mattel press release ended saying "Although their future is yet to be set in "cement," one thing is for certain - Barbie and Ken will always remain the best of friends." 2004 campaign for presidencyOn August 12, 2004, Barbie announced she was running for the presidential office, as a member of the Party of Girls. According to a Mattel press release:
Cultural effectBarbie has been used in an effort to promote gender equality, showing that women can work at anything. Career woman Barbie has taken up many occupations over the years, they include:
Many designers have been honored with the opportunity to design clothing for Barbie. Included in the list of accomplished creators and labels are Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Bob Mackie, Nicole Miller, Christian Dior, Escada, Anne Klein, Ralph Lauren, Donatella Versace and Bill Blass. She has also been portrayed as a tourist at Walt Disney World and a customer at McDonalds. ControversiesBarbie is often looked upon as an icon of Western childhood. Her popularity ensures that her effect on the play of Western children attracts a high degree of scrutiny. The criticisms leveled at her are often based around the idea of children considering Barbie a role model and attempting to emulate her. The Middle Eastern country of Saudi Arabia outlawed Barbie dolls on September 10, 2003. "Barbie" is sometimes used as a derogatory slang term for a person, particularly a girl or woman, who is stupid. See bimbo. Physical characteristicsBarbie's height and exaggerated hourglass figure drew criticism from parents and anorexia groups. If scaled into real life proportions, she would be 5 feet, 9 inches, (1.75 m) measuring 36-18-33. According to research by the University Central Hospital in Helsinki, Finland, she would lack the requisite 17 to 22 percent of body fat required to menstruate. [2] (http://site.www.umb.edu/forum/1/AMSTJess/member/Forums/481613252.html) The chances of meeting someone with Barbie's measurements is 1 in 100,000. StereotypingThe enormous range of available accessories relating clothes, hair, make-up, parties and looking pretty give rise to the accusation that Barbie encourages young girls to focus on shallow trivia. Her accessories reflect a lifestyle that is unobtainable for most of the girls who play with her. This culminated in 1993 when Mattel released "Teen Talk Barbie", a talking version of the doll. It spoke a number of phrases such as, "Will we ever have enough clothes?" "I love shopping!" and, "Wanna have a pizza party?" Each doll was programmed to say four out of 270 possible phrases, so chances were good that no two dolls owned by a girl or her friends would be the same. One of these 270 phrases was "Math class is tough!" Although only about 1.5% of all the dolls sold said the phrase, it caused a large public outcry over Barbie's representation of women, and the infamous phrase quickly became a common pop culture reference. A group of parents, feminists and other activists known as the Barbie Liberation Organization bought hundreds of Barbies and GI Joe dolls, and switched their voice circuitry. This resulted in the new modified Barbie saying, "Eat lead, Cobra!" and "Dead men tell no lies." [3] (http://www.etext.org/Zines/UnitCircle/uc3/page10.html) ResponsesOne of the most publicized responses happened around the turn of the century, as Barbie's waist widened to more natural proportions. Barbies of different nationalities have also been created, including African, Hispanic, Asian and Native American Barbies. Most commonly the Hispanic Teresa and African-American Christie appear as Barbie's "ethno-friend" alongside Skipper and occasionally red-head Midge, who's been around since the sixties. Mattel also released an "International collection" in 1980, with Barbies from different parts of the world. The dolls are dressed in more or less traditional clothes, each representing a nation. The European countries are highly over-represented but there are also i.e. Peruvian, Kenyan, Japanese and Australian Barbies. In 2001 "The Princess Collection" was issued for instance with dolls named Princess of India, Princess of the Navajo, Princess of the Vikings. As of 2005 there are also a "Kelly; Dolls of the World" where Barbies "little sister" and two friends represent different European countries. To counter accusations of gender stereotyping, career Barbies have been released. These include astronaut, gymnast, rapper and soldier. She also ran for President after breaking up with Ken. [4] (http://www.adiosbarbie.com/bology/bology_timeline.html) Parodies and lawsuitsMany artists have referred to Barbie and her accompanying products, either as homage or as parody. The European pop-dance group Aqua released a song called "Barbie Girl" in 1997. It contained lyrics such as "You can brush my hair/Undress me everywhere" and used a graphics similar to the pink Barbie logo. Mattel used this as grounds for a trademark infringement and defamation lawsuit filed on September 11, 1997. However, it was dismissed by the court as parody on May 15, 1998. A commercial by automobile company Nissan featuring dolls similar to Barbie and Ken driving in a toy car was the subject of another lawsuit on September 18, 1997 [5] (http://www.eonline.com/News/Court/0997.barbie.html). CollectingMattel estimates that there are well over 100,000 avid Barbie collectors. Ninety-percent are women, at an average age of 40, purchasing more than 20 Barbie dolls each year. Forty-five-percent of them spend upwards of $1000 a year. Related merchandiseThe mid-1990s saw a line of early novels, featuring her adventurous exploits. By the late-1990s, Mattel had moved to featuring her in interactive 3D video games for both gaming consoles and personal computers. In recent years, she has taken the computer animated movie industry by storm, guest appearing in Toy Story 2, and later her own direct-to-video movies, Barbie's Nutcracker, The Princess and the Pauper and Rapunzel Barbie, all of which were accompanied by small product lines, including dolls of Barbie in the costumes portrayed in the shorts. Though not feature length, they are fairly abundant in plot, for the younger audience, of course. TerminologyCollector Edition - Dolls produced in limited quantities. Designed for collectors and display. Usually they come in showcase packaging [a stand and a Certificate of Authenticity]. Customized - Dolls created exclusively for a specific store. Usually they come in showcase packaging [a stand and a Certificate of Authenticity]. Limited Edition - Dolls produced in limited quantities worldwide. Limited to specific retailers. Featuring special fabrics and details. Designed for collectors and display. They come in showcase packaging [a stand and a Certificate of Authenticity included]. Modern Barbie - Dolls produced after 1972. OSS - Dolls with original swimsuit. Ponytail - This denotes the age and type of Barbie a particular doll is. There are five types:
Timeless Treasures™ - Celebrity or character dolls. Twist 'N Turn Waist - A movable waist of mid-1960s and later Barbie doll [or a variation]. Vintage Barbie - All dolls produced before 1972. Timeline
Trivia
Further reading
This page about Barbie includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about Barbie News stories about Barbie External links for Barbie Videos for Barbie Wikis about Barbie Discussion Groups about Barbie Blogs about Barbie Images of Barbie |
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There are five types:. Disappointing performances during 2004 have been cited as proof of this lack of focus. Ponytail - This denotes the age and type of Barbie a particular doll is. Some believe that she is far too concerned with her fashion and acting careers, and has not focused enough recently on her tennis. OSS - Dolls with original swimsuit. Controversy has arisen over Williams's level of dedication to the sport. Modern Barbie - Dolls produced after 1972. The injury also forced her to pull out of the 2004 Summer Olympics. They come in showcase packaging [a stand and a Certificate of Authenticity included]. On August 1, she announced her withdrawal from the Rogers Cup due to the same injury. Designed for collectors and display. On July 30, she withdrew from her quarterfinal match against Russia's Vera Zvonareva with a left knee injury joining her sister who had earlier pulled out due to a sprained right knee. Featuring special fabrics and details. She reached the final of Wimbledon once again, but lost to the 17-year-old Russian player Maria Sharapova, heralded as one of the greatest young talents the game has seen. Limited to specific retailers. Serena withdrew from Australian Open 2004 to continue rehabilitating her left knee. Limited Edition - Dolls produced in limited quantities worldwide. Williams' older sister, Yetunde Price, was murdered on the morning of September 14, 2003, by gunshots as she passed by in a car driven by a man in the Compton area. Usually they come in showcase packaging [a stand and a Certificate of Authenticity]. The Williams siblings are the first two women in Grand Slam history to square off in four consecutive finals. Customized - Dolls created exclusively for a specific store. Even this so-called "Serena Slam" is not a true Grand Slam—tennis purists demand that a player collect all four major titles in a single calendar year to be deemed to have achieved a Grand Slam—it was still a remarkable and rare accomplishment, made all the more remarkable for the fact that Serena had to beat her sister each time. Usually they come in showcase packaging [a stand and a Certificate of Authenticity]. When Serena beat her sister Venus to win the Australian Open on January 24, 2003, that was only the sixth time a woman has held all four of tennis' major championships at the same time, and the first since Steffi Graf in 1994. Designed for collectors and display. At Wimbledon in the 2003 tournament, Serena Williams became back to back champion, by defeating Henin-Hardenne in the Semifinals, and her sister Venus in the Finals on July 5, with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. Collector Edition - Dolls produced in limited quantities. Henin-Hardenne commented: "Everybody's happy today but the Williams sisters". Henin-Hardenne was responsible for two of Serena's three losses in 2003 (all on clay). Though not feature length, they are fairly abundant in plot, for the younger audience, of course. Among boos and catcalls, frustrated Serena lost to Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium (Venus lost to Vera Zvonareva in the fourth round). In recent years, she has taken the computer animated movie industry by storm, guest appearing in Toy Story 2, and later her own direct-to-video movies, Barbie's Nutcracker, The Princess and the Pauper and Rapunzel Barbie, all of which were accompanied by small product lines, including dolls of Barbie in the costumes portrayed in the shorts. For the first time since January 2002, the Grand Slam final did not read Williams-Williams at the French Open in June 2003. By the late-1990s, Mattel had moved to featuring her in interactive 3D video games for both gaming consoles and personal computers. Her feat was coined the "Serena Slam". The mid-1990s saw a line of early novels, featuring her adventurous exploits. She won the Australian Open in 2003, her fourth straight Grand Slam singles title becoming the fifth woman ever to hold all four titles after Connolly, Court, Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf and only the ninth woman ever to win all four Grand Slam events. This was not deemed a Grand Slam by tennis purists, as the four tournaments were not won in the same calendar year. Forty-five-percent of them spend upwards of $1000 a year. She stated that she believes that Serena's powerful groundstrokes could be negated by extending the rallies and also hitting "junk"—keeping the ball low to make it harder to hit powerful shots. Ninety-percent are women, at an average age of 40, purchasing more than 20 Barbie dolls each year. Martina Navratilova, in an article in June 2003, stated that, given equal equipment, at her peak she would have been able to beat Serena. Mattel estimates that there are well over 100,000 avid Barbie collectors. The main weaknesses in her game, similar to her sister Venus, include relatively weak volleying and, because she attempts so many winners, she can occasionally commit large numbers of unforced errors. A commercial by automobile company Nissan featuring dolls similar to Barbie and Ken driving in a toy car was the subject of another lawsuit on September 18, 1997 [5] (http://www.eonline.com/News/Court/0997.barbie.html). Serena is also very mobile for her size and power, unlike some of the earlier big hitters in the women's game (for example, Lindsay Davenport). However, it was dismissed by the court as parody on May 15, 1998. Her serve is also extremely powerful—in sheer speed, comparable to some of the male players on the tour. It contained lyrics such as "You can brush my hair/Undress me everywhere" and used a graphics similar to the pink Barbie logo. Mattel used this as grounds for a trademark infringement and defamation lawsuit filed on September 11, 1997. Against most opponents, her sheer power is enough to win easily, forcing them back behind the baseline to hit their shots, at which point she is able to hit equally powerful winners. The European pop-dance group Aqua released a song called "Barbie Girl" in 1997. By this stage, Serena had developed the most powerful groundstrokes of any women's tennis player ever (aided, like all players of the modern era, by the advances in racquet technology). Many artists have referred to Barbie and her accompanying products, either as homage or as parody. In 2002, she won the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. [4] (http://www.adiosbarbie.com/bology/bology_timeline.html). 2001 was the third consecutive year in which she finished in the top 10 reaching her first Grand Slam singles final in two years. She also ran for President after breaking up with Ken. In 2000, she won the doubles gold medal at the Olympics with sister Venus. These include astronaut, gymnast, rapper and soldier. 4 in just her third full season winning first five titles of her career including her first Grand Slam. To counter accusations of gender stereotyping, career Barbies have been released. She finished 1999 in the top 5 at no. As of 2005 there are also a "Kelly; Dolls of the World" where Barbies "little sister" and two friends represent different European countries. The next day, she and sister Venus won the doubles championship at the same tournament. In 2001 "The Princess Collection" was issued for instance with dolls named Princess of India, Princess of the Navajo, Princess of the Vikings. On September 11 of 1999, Serena won her first Grand Slam tournament when she became US Open champion, becoming the first African American woman to win a Grand Slam tournament since Althea Gibson did it in 1958. Peruvian, Kenyan, Japanese and Australian Barbies. Serena has been the focus of many ad campaigns, including one with shoe and clothes maker Puma, which signed her to a 12 million dollar agreement. The European countries are highly over-represented but there are also i.e. 7 Steffi Graf in the final at Indian Wells. The dolls are dressed in more or less traditional clothes, each representing a nation. 8 Mary Pierce in the quarter final, and world no. Mattel also released an "International collection" in 1980, with Barbies from different parts of the world. 2 Lindsay Davenport in the second round, world no. Most commonly the Hispanic Teresa and African-American Christie appear as Barbie's "ethno-friend" alongside Skipper and occasionally red-head Midge, who's been around since the sixties. Ranked number 21, she defeated 3 top 10 players: world no. Barbies of different nationalities have also been created, including African, Hispanic, Asian and Native American Barbies. She defeated Amélie Mauresmo in third set in a final the same day sister Venus won in Oklahoma City marking first time in professional tennis history two sisters won titles in the same week. One of the most publicized responses happened around the turn of the century, as Barbie's waist widened to more natural proportions. In 1999, Serena was ranked number 21 worldwide, and she and sister Venus had become mainstream celebrities. This resulted in the new modified Barbie saying, "Eat lead, Cobra!" and "Dead men tell no lies." [3] (http://www.etext.org/Zines/UnitCircle/uc3/page10.html). She earned 2.6 million dollars in the season. A group of parents, feminists and other activists known as the Barbie Liberation Organization bought hundreds of Barbies and GI Joe dolls, and switched their voice circuitry. She won her first pro title in doubles at Oklahoma City with sister Venus becoming the third pair of sisters to win a WTA tour women's doubles title. One of these 270 phrases was "Math class is tough!" Although only about 1.5% of all the dolls sold said the phrase, it caused a large public outcry over Barbie's representation of women, and the infamous phrase quickly became a common pop culture reference. She won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon and US Open with Max Mirnyi completing a Williams family 1998 mixed doubles Grand Slam as sister Venus won Australian Open and Roland Garros titles with Justin Gimelstob. It spoke a number of phrases such as, "Will we ever have enough clothes?" "I love shopping!" and, "Wanna have a pizza party?" Each doll was programmed to say four out of 270 possible phrases, so chances were good that no two dolls owned by a girl or her friends would be the same. 10 Spirlea in the 2nd round for her fifth top 10 victory becoming the fastest woman in tennis history to record five top 10 victories (in 16 matches) breaking the previous record set by Monica Seles in 1989 in her 33rd match. This culminated in 1993 when Mattel released "Teen Talk Barbie", a talking version of the doll. At Miami, she defeated world no. Her accessories reflect a lifestyle that is unobtainable for most of the girls who play with her. She reached six other quarterfinals during the season. The enormous range of available accessories relating clothes, hair, make-up, parties and looking pretty give rise to the accusation that Barbie encourages young girls to focus on shallow trivia. 9 Irina Spirlea in the first. [2] (http://site.www.umb.edu/forum/1/AMSTJess/member/Forums/481613252.html) The chances of meeting someone with Barbie's measurements is 1 in 100,000. Serena was then expected to do well in her first Grand Slam tournament, but she lost in the second round of the Australian Open to sister Venus after reaching the second round with a victory over world no. If scaled into real life proportions, she would be 5 feet, 9 inches, (1.75 m) measuring 36-18-33. According to research by the University Central Hospital in Helsinki, Finland, she would lack the requisite 17 to 22 percent of body fat required to menstruate. Serena felt she had become a top professional after beating Lindsay Davenport in the semi-finals of a minor Australian tournament. Barbie's height and exaggerated hourglass figure drew criticism from parents and anorexia groups. 3 Lindsay Davenport in the quarter final. See bimbo. 96 reaching semifinal winning over world no. "Barbie" is sometimes used as a derogatory slang term for a person, particularly a girl or woman, who is stupid. She began the season in Sydney as a qualifier ranked no. The Middle Eastern country of Saudi Arabia outlawed Barbie dolls on September 10, 2003. 1998 was the first year in which she finished in the WTA top 20. The criticisms leveled at her are often based around the idea of children considering Barbie a role model and attempting to emulate her. 99. Her popularity ensures that her effect on the play of Western children attracts a high degree of scrutiny. She finished 1997 in the top 100 at no. Barbie is often looked upon as an icon of Western childhood. She did not give up, and she started winning matches: By 1997, ranked number 304 in the world, she upset Monica Seles and Mary Pierce at the Ameritech Open in Chicago, recording her first career wins over top 10 players. She has also been portrayed as a tourist at Walt Disney World and a customer at McDonalds. Her first professional event was the Bell Challenge in Quebec, and she was ousted in less than an hour of play. Included in the list of accomplished creators and labels are Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Bob Mackie, Nicole Miller, Christian Dior, Escada, Anne Klein, Ralph Lauren, Donatella Versace and Bill Blass. Because of her age, she was banned from WTA sponsored tournaments, and had to participate in non-WTA events at first. Many designers have been honored with the opportunity to design clothing for Barbie. Serena became a professional in September 1995, at the age of 14. Career woman Barbie has taken up many occupations over the years, they include:. Soon Richard, who had struck a deal on behalf of his daughters with a major clothing company, was able to move the rest of the Williams family to West Palm Beach, to be near Serena and Venus. Barbie has been used in an effort to promote gender equality, showing that women can work at anything. Micci had already helped the careers of Jennifer Capriati and Mary Pierce, among others. According to a Mattel press release:. In 1991, Richard Williams, saying that he hoped to prevent his daughters from facing racism, stopped sending them to national junior Tennis tournaments, and Serena attended a Tennis school run by professional player Rick Micci instead. On August 12, 2004, Barbie announced she was running for the presidential office, as a member of the Party of Girls. At one point, she replaced sister Venus as the number one ranked tennis player aged 12 or under in California. A Mattel press release ended saying "Although their future is yet to be set in "cement," one thing is for certain - Barbie and Ken will always remain the best of friends.". When Serena was four and a half, she won her first tournament, and she entered 49 tournaments before the age of 10, winning 46 of them. And now they feel it's time to spend some quality time – apart.". Both Venus and Serena Williams would be taken to Compton area public tennis courts to practice when they were young, and they had to dodge bullets many times during the early practice days. "In fact, they just finished wrapping their fourth movie together, 'Barbie™ as The Princess and the Pauper,' which debuts this fall. There, her father dreamed of making at least one of his daughters a tennis superstar, hoping that involvement in sports would give them a way out of that neighborhood. "Barbie and Ken have always been an extraordinary couple with so much on- and off-screen chemistry," said the pair's business manager, Russell Arons, Vice President Marketing, Mattel. Serena Williams was born in Saginaw, Michigan and when she and her four sisters were young, their parents, Richard and Oracene (also called Brandy), took them to the poor and sometimes violent Los Angeles suburb of Compton. On February 12, 2004, just days before Valentine's, Mattel spokespeople announced the split of Barbie and Ken after 43 years of dating, saying in their press release that they "have decided to spend some time apart.". She currently resides at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, United States. She also has a pilot's license, and operates commercial airliners, when not serving as a stewardess. She is the younger sister of another female tennis champion, Venus Williams. Barbie has used her driver's license to the fullest, with pink convertibles, trailers and more. 1 of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). Barbie has thirty-eight recorded pets, including cats and dogs, horses, a panda, a lion cub, and a zebra. Serena Jamica Williams (born September 26, 1981) is a professional women's tennis player, who has been a former World No. Barbie has been said to attend Willows High School in Willows, Wisconsin and Manhattan International High School in New York City (based on the real-life Stuyvesant High School). 2003: Australian Open. Other longstanding friends in Barbie's ethnically diverse social circle include Hispanic Teresa, African-American Christie and Steven (Christie's boyfriend), and the ethnically-ambiguous Kayla. 2002: Leipzig (with Alexandra Stevenson). Barbie has dated Ken since 1961, and after a long estrangement was reunited with her best friend Midge in the early nineties. 2002: Wimbledon. Additions to the family tree include Skipper (debut 1964), twins Tutti and Todd (1966), Stacie (1992), Kelly (1995), and baby Krissy (1999). 2001: Australian Open. She has been given the fuller name Barbara Millicent Roberts, and a family and friends have been manufactured for her, starting with her permanent beau Ken. 2000: Summer Olympics-Sydney. Barbie's fictional biography has developed as her sales continued. 2000: Wimbledon. Redesigned by Jack Ryan and manufactured by Mattel, this one doll is a $1.9 billion dollar a year industry, with two Barbies being bought every second. Open. In response to criticism, Mattel adjusted the chest measurement down, and the waist measurement up, though the proportions are still uncharacteristic of most women. 1999: U.S. These measurements were not based on actual human metrics, and the unrealistic size of Barbie has been controversial, with many suggesting that playing with Barbie decreases rather than enhances a girl's self-esteem. 1999: French Open. If the doll originally marketed were human-sized, her measurements would have been 39 by 18 by 33 in. 1999: Hannover. Ruth Handler had stated that she thought it "was important to a girl's esteem that she play with a doll with breasts," and Barbie was certainly qualified to be that doll. 1998: Zurich. In the succeeding years, Mattel fashion designer Charlotte Johnson based Barbie doll fashion designs on the Paris fashions. 1998: Oklahoma City. The first Barbie doll had a black-and-white striped swimsuit and signature ponytail. Ruth Handler and Elliott Handler, the co-founders of Mattel, bought the rights to market Lilli: with a hair color change from blonde to brunette, and a name change to Barbie (after Ruth's daughter Barbara) she was sold in the United States starting in 1959 at New York's annual Toy Fair. Ruth Handler says that when she bought Lilli for her daughter, she was ignorant of its adult nature. Lord, in her Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll, characterized the original doll as a "gag gift for men, a pornographic character." [1] (http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/1997/11/26harlot.html). G. M. The doll was marketed to adult men in bars and tobacco shops, not to children. The dolls were manufactured in Hamburg, where legal, licensed prostitutes are ubiquitous. The Lilli doll was first sold in Germany in 1955. In fact, the Lilli doll was based on the character of a prostitute in a comic strip drawn by Reinhard Beuthin for die Bild Zeitung. During a trip to Europe with her daughter, Handler noticed a German doll named Lilli and bought it for Barbara. Ruth Handler had noted that her daughter Barbara preferred playing with paper dolls that looked like adults rather than like children. The best-selling Barbie was one released in 1992, Totally Hair Barbie, with stylable hair so long it reached from her head down to her toes. Barbie is the world's best-selling doll and was first sold on March 9, 1959. Paperback ISBN 0761958886. Rogers, Mary F., "Barbie Culture". Paperback ISBN 0802776949. Lord, M.G., Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll. In The Simpsons, there is a parody of Barbie, called Malibu Stacy. When this gene is absent, the flies form without external genitalia. There is a gene in the Drosophila fruit-fly called the "ken and barbie" gene (abbreviated ken). In Sweden, more Barbie dolls have been sold than the country's current population. See full list of Barbie's careers. Firefighter
Model - Barbie was originally marketed as a "teen-age fashion model". Fashion designer. Astronaut - An astronaut suit was sold for Barbie around the same time the first real female, Valentina Tereshkova, entered space. Doctor, dentist, nurse, and veterinarian. Paleontologist. Olympic athlete (including gymnastics and figure skating). List of Barbie's friends and family. |