The Fascinating History Of Barbie Dolls

By Helenya Kior

Barbie dolls have become a tradition. Tradition brings many collector's items. The specialty dolls are highly sought after and can become very valuable as the years pass. For example, the Holiday Barbie is normally hard to come by each year. A person has to make sure that they are in front of the line whenever the doll is put on the shelf; if not, they will not get one as they usually sell out.

Barbie dolls have been nicknamed Barbie. Mattel released the doll on March 9, 1959 at a toy show. The idea for the Barbie dolls came from Ruth Handler who was the wife of a co-founder of the Mattel toy company. She named the doll after her daughter Barbara who was used to playing with paper dolls, assuming they were in adult roles. This was because the dolls that were produced back in that time were infants. Handler saw the need for a different doll and the market was there.

A biography has even been published about Barbie. Random House published the biography that gave Barbie a background. Barbara Millicent Roberts was born on March 9, 1959. Her parents were Margaret and George Roberts who lived in the fictional town of Willows. As Barbie grew up, she attended school in New York and gained a boyfriend by the Ken Carson. She has had many friends over the decade.

Barbie has experienced many careers over the decades. The careers that she participates in usually reflect current times. For example, in 2010 expect to see an Astronaut Barbie and a Registered Nurse Barbie.

Barbie dolls have caused many controversies over the decades. It has been criticized many times. It has been said that the Barbie doll represents unrealistic ideas for a woman's body.

Another controversial issue was developed after the release of the "Totally Tattoos" Barbie. The Barbie dolls featured a variety of tattoos that could be applied, including the infamous "tramp stamp" tattoo.

Barbie dolls have become a family tradition that is being passed down from generation to generation. It began with great-grandma, then grandma, then mom, and now the little girl. She has been around for so long that we are beginning to see third and fourth generations take part in this rite of passage. Her popularity in the past and present not only has made Barbie an icon, but will continue to make her an icon for years to come. Look for more Barbie collectibles at Mattel's website devoted to collectors. - 29955

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