Saturday, March 7, 2009

Barbie Debuts- 50th Anniversary


The idea of producing a teenage doll for young girls came to Ruth Handler, confounder of Mattel, as she watched her daughter Barbara and her friends playing with adult and teenage paper dolls. The Barbie doll, sporting a ponytail and a black and white striped bathing suit, debuted in stories on March 9, 1959.



Originally a teenage fashion model, Barbie has since had more than a hundred careers including being a nurse, teacher, a flight attendant and a member of various branches of the armed services. She has even been a Presidential candidate. We have just added Stefanie Deutsch new book “Barbie, the first 30 years” a look at 1959-1989 identification and value guide. At least one generation has grown up with Barbie and is now seeing its children share its love for this great doll that debuted 50 years ago.

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