Barbie, A Doll's Beginning and History

Ruth Handler created an icon the world has scampered for in awe since first becoming available in 1959, the icon's name is Barbie. Ruth first thought of the idea originally while watching her daughter Barbara playing with paper dolls.

Ruth suddenly realized as her daughter grew older and imitated adult conversations with the world around her she would require a three-dimensional representation to accompany her. Ruth's husband, Elliot was included in an all-male executives league at Mattel company and thinking they were just the ones to mention her idea of a doll complete with a woman's body.

Unfortunately, the board of males at Mattel declined Ruth's idea stating it was far too expensive to produce aganist the retail price only to leave the company in the dark. Ruth had a dire amount of determination to create a doll which would "project little girl's dreams of the future" and she would eventually set this forth into a reality.

When Barbie was produced spectators questioned the thought of this practically "nude" doll being displayed next to the graceful Madame Alexander and baby faced Ginny dolls, the nerve they thought.

There were in fact some whom admired Barbie referring to her as sunshine, and sweet. Charlotte Johnson the designer whom created Barbie's clothing ensembles for twenty years saw fit that the early outfits included the styles they emulated. The Handlers had set forth of introducing the doll as a start towards little girls growing with poise and admiration.

Ruth Handler wanted Barbie dolls to help create imagination and identity with little girls yet, Barbie had already developed her own unique identity, herself. 1961 introduced Ken, Barbie's keen and sweet beau Barbie was now referred to as "America's Golden Girl".

The trade-in program began in 1967 consisting of youn girl's bringing their old Barbie dolls and $1.50 in exchange for a new Barbie doll. No matter the cultural background Barbie spoke a universal language.