Who created Barbie?

Barbie was created by Ruth Handler, in 1959.

Ruth Handler was an American businesswoman, and her husband Elliot Handler. Ruth Handler co-founded the toy company Mattel, Inc. Barbie made her debut on March 9, 1959, at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. The doll was named after Ruth and Elliot Handler's daughter, Barbara.

Since then, Barbie has become one of the most iconic and recognizable dolls in the world, with various iterations, accessories, and careers throughout her history.

Who is Ruth Handler?

Ruth Handler, born Ruth Mosko, was an American businesswoman and inventor who co-founded the toy company Mattel, Inc. She was born on November 4, 1916, in Denver, Colorado, and grew up in a family of Polish-Jewish immigrants. Ruth had an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age and showed a keen interest in the business world.

In 1945, Ruth and her husband Elliot Handler co-founded Mattel, initially a picture frame manufacturing company. However, they soon recognized the potential in the toy industry and shifted their focus to creating and marketing toys. Ruth played a pivotal role in the company's success, particularly with her innovative ideas and vision for creating toys that challenged traditional gender roles.

Handler's most significant contribution to the toy industry was the creation of the iconic Barbie doll. Inspired by her daughter's imaginative play with paper dolls, Ruth saw an opportunity to introduce a three-dimensional fashion doll to the market. Despite initial skepticism from toy buyers, Barbie quickly became a sensation, revolutionizing the toy industry and setting new standards for doll design and play patterns.

Ruth's entrepreneurial spirit and determination paved the way for the tremendous success of Barbie and solidified her legacy as a trailblazing businesswoman.

What does Mattel do other than Barbie?

Mattel is a multinational toy manufacturing company known for producing a wide range of popular toys and games beyond Barbie. While Barbie is one of their most iconic and successful products, Mattel has a diverse portfolio of brands and products that cater to different age groups and interests. Here are some notable brands and product lines associated with Mattel:

• Hot Wheels: Hot Wheels is a line of die-cast toy cars that has been a favorite among car enthusiasts and collectors since its introduction in 1968. It features a vast collection of miniature cars, tracks, and playsets.

• Fisher-Price: Fisher-Price is a brand that specializes in toys and products for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. Their product range includes playsets, educational toys, baby gear, and electronic learning systems.

• American Girl: American Girl is a line of dolls, books, and accessories that aim to inspire and empower young girls. Each doll represents a character from a specific historical era or contemporary stories and promotes themes of friendship, diversity, and self-expression.

• Thomas & Friends: Thomas & Friends is a popular brand featuring toy trains, railway sets, and related merchandise. It is based on "The Railway Series" books by Reverend W. Awdry and features the adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends.

• UNO: UNO is a widely recognized card game created by Merle Robbins and now owned by Mattel. It is a fast-paced game where players take turns matching cards in color or number, aiming to be the first to get rid of all their cards.

These are just a few examples of Mattel's extensive product lineup. The company continually develops and introduces new toys and games across various categories to engage and entertain children of all ages.

What are the fun facts of Barbie?

• Full Name: Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. She was named after Ruth Handler's daughter, Barbara.

• First Barbie Doll: The first Barbie doll wore a black and white striped swimsuit, had blonde hair, and blue eyes. She was introduced at the American International Toy Fair in 1959.

• Career Choices: Over the years, Barbie has had more than 200 careers, ranging from astronaut to doctor, chef to pilot, firefighter to presidential candidate. This versatility has been aimed at inspiring girls to dream big and pursue their ambitions.

• Nationality: Barbie is often associated with being American, but she has had various nationalities over the years. In 1980, Barbie got her first passport, and since then, she has represented over 50 different nationalities.

• Best-Selling Barbie: The best-selling Barbie doll of all time is the Totally Hair Barbie, released in 1992. This doll had long, crimped hair and sold over 10 million units worldwide.

• Barbie's Boyfriend: Barbie's longtime boyfriend is Ken Carson, introduced in 1961. Ken is named after Ruth Handler's son, Kenneth. Barbie and Ken have had an on-and-off relationship throughout their history.

• Different Body Types: In 2016, Mattel introduced a new line of Barbie dolls with different body types to promote inclusivity and body diversity. These variations include tall, petite, and curvy Barbie dolls.

• Barbie in Space: In 1965, four years before the first Moon landing, Barbie became an astronaut. She wore a futuristic silver spacesuit and had a bubble helmet.

• Barbie's Surname: While Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, she does not have an official surname. "Roberts" is often used in reference to her, but it is not considered her official last name.

• Pop Culture Icon: Barbie has become a pop culture icon over the years, appearing in movies, TV shows, and even collaborating with famous designers for special edition dolls. She has remained a beloved and recognizable figure in the toy industry for decades.

These fun facts highlight some of the fascinating aspects of Barbie's history and cultural impact.