development of Barbie doll

Bild Lilli

Jan 1, 1956

Ruth handler the maker of Barbie, went to Germany with her husband the co-founder of Matell and saw a comic book doll for adults called "Bild Lilli". Ruth bought 3 of these dolls, gave one to her daughter "barbara" and kept two for herself. This gave her the inspiration of making a Barbie doll.

Inspiration of Barbie

Jan 1, 1957

Ruth handler's daughter "Barbara" gave her the inspiration of making a real barbie doll, while seeing her daughter play with paper dolls. She mentioned to her husband "Elliot" about the invention of the doll as he was the co-founder of the company Mattel.

Toy Fair New York

Mar 9, 1959

Handler created the Barbie doll naming it after her daughter "Barbara", and was first established at the toy fair in New York March 9th 1959

Lifestory of Barbie

Jan 1, 1960

Books in the 1960's told the lifestory of Barbie. her full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, parents names are George and Magaret and come from the fictional town Willows, Wisconsin. she went to the Willows high school and had an on and off relationship with "ken carson"

First year of production

Jan 1, 1960

First barbie dolls were manufactured to Japan and their clothes stitched by hand by Japanese home workers. First year of production- 350 000 dolls sold.
Some parents were unhappy with distinct breasts and some questioned that Barbie look seductive, handler made the eyes look straight rather than to the side. Ruth handler did market research constantly so she knew what her buyers wanted.

Invention of Ken

Jan 1, 1961

in 1961, Ken was first introduced by Mattel as Barbies boyfriend

How to lose weight book

Jan 1, 1963

a special edition in 1963 of barbie came with a book on how to lose weight, the advice was "dont eat"

buying rights from Bild Lilli

Jan 1, 1964

The Mattel company got the rights to the bild lilli doll, as they stopped it being made by the competition of Barbie

Bathroom scale

Jan 1, 1965

Another special edition Barbie ("slumber party" edition), came with a bathroom scale that didnt move off 110 pounds (35 pounds underweight for a women 5 inches tall )

Astronaut Barbie

Jan 1, 1965

during the year of the first men on the moon, Mattel invented a space Barbie called "Ms Astranaut Barbie"

First African Barbie Doll

Jan 1, 1967

First black Barbie doll made her debue in 1967, Mattel used the existing appearance but coloured her skin darker

Real Black Barbie Doll

Jan 1, 1968

1968 was the year, Mattel decided to create the first African American doll named "christie"

Barbie Boulivard at Time Square N.Y

Jan 1, 1974

Barbie was given the honours in the toy world of a section of time square New York called "Barbie Bullivard" for a week.

Chrisite Barbie Doll

Jan 1, 1980

Christie was changed into a completely black and had white features.

Barbie painting

Jan 1, 1985

the famous artist Anay Warhol drew a big painting of Barbie.

Doctor Barbie

Jan 1, 1988

in 1988, Barbie had a new career as a Doctor.

First talking Barbie

Jul 1, 1992

Each Barbie doll as programmed to say 4 out of 270 phrases. Phrases like:
- "Will we ever have enough clothes? "
- "I love shopping"
- "Wanna have a pizza party?"
This was purposely done so no 2 dolls would use the exact same phrases. The American associated University of Women criticised one of the phrases " Math class is tough" . Mattel announced that teen talk Barbie will no longer say the phrase and would swap the doll with whoever owned one.

Remoulded Barbie

Jan 1, 1997

Mattel remoulded Barbie and was given a wider waist. They said "it suited contemporary fashion designs better"

Share a smile Beckie

Jan 1, 1997

A barbie was introduced as a doll in a pink wheelchair and named her "Share a Smile Beckie". A 17 year old student in Washington, stated that the doll wouldnt fit in the elevator of the large Barbie manshion. Mattel responded and said that they will make improvements in the $100 dream house and accomodate the doll.

Barbie and Oreos

May 17, 1997

Mattel joined with Nabisco to launch acorss promotion of Barbie and oreo cookies. The oreo fun Barbie was marketed for girls to play with and eat after school. Mattel created a black and white edition of Barbie for the advertisement of Oreo cookies. Critics argued that the African Americans took it as an offence of black on the outside and white on the inside.
It was unsuccessful as Mattel recalled the unsold stock and ones who bought it became the collectors item.

Silk stone Barbie

Jan 1, 2000

Mattel carried online of Barbie - the sickstoned Barbie.

Toxic Dolls

Jan 1, 2000

Media claimed that the hard vinal in vintage dolls could lead toxic chemical causing danger to children. It was objected by experts, but the body wass made with ABS plastic while the head is soft PVC.

Arab Barbie

Jan 1, 2003

Saudi Arabia outlawed the Barbie dolls since she didn't conform the ideals of islam. Clothes were too revealing and her posture was shameful. Although, another alternative doll called "fulla" similar to barbied was more acceptable to the islamic community in the middle eastern countries. They were not made my Mattel.

Ken and Barbie splits up

Jan 1, 2004

Mattel announces to the news that Ken and Barbie has split up !

Blane, Barbies new boyfriend !

Jan 1, 2005

Blane was Barbies new typical Australian surfer lover during her split up with ken.

Ken reunite with Barbie

Jan 1, 2006

Mattel reported that they were hoping to reunite Ken and Barbies relationship since ken had a make over

Tattoo Barbie

Apr 1, 2009

The launch of tattoo became applied on the Barbie on the lower back of her body.

Video Barbie

Jan 1, 2010

Mattel invented a Barbie video in her chest by recording and uploading on the computer. FBI stated it was wrong because they could be recording inappropriate videos to show children