Everyone knows these names, but do you know the name Ruth Handler? You should, she & # 39; s the one who bought Barbie and her friends to life in 1959. Ruth was the wife of Elliot Handler , a co-founder of Mattel toy company. In 1954, Ruth noticed that her daughter, Barbara, often gave her paper dolls adult roles when she played with them. At the time, the doll market was was flooded with only baby dolls, such as Chatty Cathy, so Ruth approached her husband and suggested that Mattel release a doll that older girls would enjoy playing with. He rejected the idea, and Mattel & # 39; s directors were unenthusiastic as well, to say the least. Fast forward to 1956. Once a European vacation with her children, Ruth stumbled upon a German doll called Bild Lilli. This doll was exactly what Roll had in mind when she had first approached Mattel, so she purchased one for her daughter and two to take to Mattel. Return to the United States, Ruth redesigned the doll The first barbie doll was debuted at the American International Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. As they say, the rest was history. When Ruth, a mere housewife and stay at home mom, approached Mattel, I & # 39; m sure she had no idea that her idea would spawn a billion dollar franchise, a household name, or a cultural icon. But that 'exactly what happened.
All In The Family ...
Mattel washing hungry for more than, Mattel was hungry for more, and apparently so was Barbie. Along came Ken. Ken, named after Ruth 's son, Mr. Mattel introduced a Hispanic doll, Theresa, Barbie & # 39; s Knight in shining armor. # Barbie needed some girlfriend & # 39; s as well. ; s official "best friend." Mattel kept up the political correct-ness and introduction african-American doll as well, Christie. Younger, pre-teen dolls, such as Midge and Skipper were introduced to counteract Barbie 's controversial sexual appeal.
Barbie has not always been faithful to Ken though. They split in 2004, and a press release was announced stating, "(Barbie and Ken) feel it 's time to spend some quality time - apart ... Like other celebrity couples , their Hollywood romance has come to an end. "Barbie became friendly with Blaine, an Australian surfer boy who swooped in from out of nowhere and stop her away. Their romance was short lived, however. Barbie left Blaine in 2006 to return to a newly made over Ken., you know, it & # 39; s on the outside that counts ...
All That Glitters Is not Gold
And Mattel & # 39; s own girl next door was at the center of it all.
Unrealistic Body Image
According to Mattel & # 39; s size scale, if Barbie are a real person, she would be / have :
- 5 "tall
- 36 "chest
- 18 "waist
- 33 "hips
- 110 pounds
- BMI of 16.24
In 1963, Mattel released a barbie that came with a book titled "How To Lose Weight," with the only advice being "Do not eat!" In another Barbie released in 1965, a scale was included that was permanently set at 110 pounds.
Racism and Prejudice
In 1997, Mattel teamed up with Nabisco and introduced Oreo Fun Barbie. Mattel made both a white and a black version, which had become customary with new releases. Protesters in the African American community voiced the opinion that "oreo" was a derogatory slur used The doll failed miserably, and the unsold stock was recalled by Mattel.
Also in 1997, Mattel released "Share a Smile Becky," a high school student in Washington state that was confined to a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy contacted Mattel and informed them that Becky & # 39; s wheelchair would not not Mattel issued a statement saying that future production of the doll house would have been been altered to accommodate Becky and her wheelchair.
Life is plastic, it & # 39; s fantastic
In 2002, Mattel sued MCA Records for the song "Barbie Girl," performed by Aqua. With lyrics such as "You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere," "kiss me here, touch me there, hanky panky," and " Mattel said the MCA violated copyright and trademarks, tarnished the reputation of Barbie, and infringed The case was presided over by Judge Alex Kozinski, chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Kozinski ever ruled in MCA & # 39; s favor, stating that the song was a parody, Kozinski ended the proceedings by advising both parties to "chill."
Whether you love her or hate her, it & # 39; s fairly evident that Barbie is here to stay. Her and her friends have been around for the past 50 years, and 50 years from now your grandchildren will probably still be playing with them. She & # 39; s ageless. She & # 39; s Barbie. Through trial, controversy, and success, Barbie has been the "it girl" of multiple generations.
