The Barbie doll was first introduced in March of 1959 at the World Toy Fair in New York City, by its creator Ruth Handler (a Mattel co-founder). The Barbie doll was inspired by a similar German doll called Bild Lilli, whom Ruth discovered during a family trip to Europe. The new doll was named Barbie after Ruth’s daughter, Barbara.
Barbie was given a complete, though fictional life story. Her full name was Barbie Millicent Roberts, and she was from Willows, Wisconsin. The original Barbie doll worked as a teenage fashion model.
Barbie premiered wearing a striped black and white bathing suit, black open toe shoes, and dark sunglasses. She had dark eye makeup and golden hoop earrings.
300,000 Barbies
These first ponytail Barbies sold for $3 and in the first year, 300,000 Barbie dolls were sold. You could get a Ponytail Barbie either blond or brunette with curly bangs and a below the shoulder ponytail with a curl at the end. The first Barbies had open toed shoes with holes in the bottom to accommodate the stand that came with the purchase.
Voyage in Vintage
Barbies created between 1959-1966 are considered Vintage Barbies.
Today, a #1 Vintage Barbie in mint condition can sell for several
thousand dollars. For a few thousand less, today’s collectors can have
one of several vintage reproductions now available such as the Voyage in Vintage Barbie Doll
In her debut year, Barbie had some twenty-five ensembles. A few were casual but most were glamorous with glitzy accessories. These fashions were sold separately and were priced from one to five dollars
The 1959 ensembles were: Apple Print Sheath, Barbie-Q, Commuter Set, Cotton Casual, Cruise Stripes, Easter Parade, Evening Splendour, Floral Petticoat, Gay Parisenne, Golden Girl, Nighty Negligee Set, Peachy Fleecy, Picnic Set, Plantation Belle, Resort Set, Roman Holiday, Suburban Shopper, Sweater Girl, Sweet Dreams, Wedding Day Set, and Winter Holiday.
There were four different types of Barbie dolls that came out in the first year. The first and second Barbies were identical except that #2 Barbie did not have the holes in the bottom of the feet.
Problems With Fading
Because of the type of plastic used in the manufacture, the early Barbies lost their flesh tone and eventually developed a very pale, white look to their skin. The #3 Barbie was given a sweeter appearance with the eyebrows more rounded instead of the original high arch, but this version also lost her skin tone with time.
In 1960, Ponytail Barbie #4 debuted with a new “tan” body color that didn’t fade. In the 60’s there was Vintage Bubblecut Barbie, Swirl Ponytail Barbie, and Vintage American Barbie.
Over the years the Barbie doll careers have spanned over 125 professions. The Barbie Doll was one of the first toys to use television advertising as its main marketing strategy. Today Barbie products include books, videos, games, cosmetics, apparel for the dolls, and even some dress up clothing for the little girl doll lovers.
Barbie Info
A Short History of the Barbie Doll
The First Barbie
The Barbie doll was first introduced in March of 1959 at the World Toy Fair in New York City, by its creator Ruth Handler (a Mattel co-founder). The Barbie doll was inspired by a similar German doll called Bild Lilli, whom Ruth discovered during a family trip to Europe. The new doll was named Barbie after Ruth’s daughter, Barbara.
Barbie was given a complete, though fictional life story. Her full name was Barbie Millicent Roberts, and she was from Willows, Wisconsin. The original Barbie doll worked as a teenage fashion model.
Barbie premiered wearing a striped black and white bathing suit, black open toe shoes, and dark sunglasses. She had dark eye makeup and golden hoop earrings.
300,000 Barbies
These first ponytail Barbies sold for $3 and in the first year, 300,000 Barbie dolls were sold. You could get a Ponytail Barbie either blond or brunette with curly bangs and a below the shoulder ponytail with a curl at the end. The first Barbies had open toed shoes with holes in the bottom to accommodate the stand that came with the purchase.
Voyage in Vintage
Barbies created between 1959-1966 are considered Vintage Barbies.
Today, a #1 Vintage Barbie in mint condition can sell for several
thousand dollars. For a few thousand less, today’s collectors can have
one of several vintage reproductions now available such as the
Voyage in Vintage Barbie Doll
In her debut year, Barbie had some twenty-five ensembles. A few were casual but most were glamorous with glitzy accessories. These fashions were sold separately and were priced from one to five dollars
The 1959 ensembles were: Apple Print Sheath, Barbie-Q, Commuter Set, Cotton Casual, Cruise Stripes, Easter Parade, Evening Splendour, Floral Petticoat, Gay Parisenne, Golden Girl, Nighty Negligee Set, Peachy Fleecy, Picnic Set, Plantation Belle, Resort Set, Roman Holiday, Suburban Shopper, Sweater Girl, Sweet Dreams, Wedding Day Set, and Winter Holiday.
There were four different types of Barbie dolls that came out in the first year. The first and second Barbies were identical except that #2 Barbie did not have the holes in the bottom of the feet.
Problems With Fading
Because of the type of plastic used in the manufacture, the early Barbies lost their flesh tone and eventually developed a very pale, white look to their skin. The #3 Barbie was given a sweeter appearance with the eyebrows more rounded instead of the original high arch, but this version also lost her skin tone with time.
In 1960, Ponytail Barbie #4 debuted with a new “tan” body color that didn’t fade. In the 60’s there was Vintage Bubblecut Barbie, Swirl Ponytail Barbie, and Vintage American Barbie.
Over the years the Barbie doll careers have spanned over 125 professions. The Barbie Doll was one of the first toys to use television advertising as its main marketing strategy. Today Barbie products include books, videos, games, cosmetics, apparel for the dolls, and even some dress up clothing for the little girl doll lovers.