Tag: barbie

Barbie, created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler and manufactured by Mattel, debuted on March 9, 1959. Inspired by the German Bild Lilli doll, which Handler discovered in Europe, Barbie quickly became the face of a brand that now spans fashion dolls and accessories. For over six decades, dominating the toy fashion doll market, with Mattel selling over a billion dolls, making it the company’s most successful line. Since 1984, the brand has grown into a multimedia franchise, featuring video games, animated films, TV series, and a live-action film.

Barbie and her male counterpart, Ken, are often considered the world’s most popular dolls. A large part of Mattel’s revenue comes from Barbie-themed merchandise, including accessories, clothes, and her extended “family” of characters. In 1977, Don Richard Cox, writing for the Journal of Popular Culture, noted that Barbie significantly influences social values, promoting female independence and an idealized, affluent lifestyle through her many accessories and upscale image.