Livening up kids’ lives since 1959!
The Barbie doll was born in 1959 thanks to her creator, Ruth Handler, who was the co-founder of Mattel Inc. with her husband.
Over the years, designers have turned the popular dolls into an icon, and helped Mattel reap a billion-dollar bonanza of sales. They were bendable and thus posable, had “hair” you could style, and had scores of “occupations” (model, nurse, astronaut, engineer) with corresponding clothes. They’re still a huge seller!
Several years ago my husband and I decided to visit the Barbie exhibition here, in downtown Montreal. It had been shown in many cities and now was our chance to see it close to home. Can I tell you I only lasted half of the exhibit? It was exhausting! It consisted of wall after wall, shelf upon shelf upon showcase of – it seemed – hundreds of Barbies (and Kens!) in a vast variety of outfits. I think there was one wall alone dedicated to wedding dresses. Multiply this case by scores!
I confess that I never owned a Barbie. I was already a teenager when she was “born.” I guess because I never had one, I didn’t buy any for my daughter. She didn’t pine for one. Neither of us regretted her absence in our lives.
Did you have Barbie(s) when you were a kid? Does your child or grandchild have one? Do you think it’s a positive role model for a child to play with? Please feel free to comment below!
Crossed Eyes and Dotted Tees 
About 30 years back, while visiting friends in Taos, N.M., we went to buy her 2 year old some toys. While looking around, I saw a “My Size Barbie”. It was about the size of a 6 year old. I’ve always regretted not buying it for myself. (Just to have, nothing weird!!)
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“Just to have” IS weird, Morris! 😂🤣😂 But I know what you mean. Opportunity knocked, but you didn’t answer. Sigh.
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I had one but the novelty wore off rather quickly. The clothes were too expensive. In retrospect, I think this doll made a lot of girls feel inferior and have unrealistic expectations.
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I agree, Mer. It dangled an unattainable idol in front of their noses.
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I did have and play with Barbies when I was a kid and tween. I never care a whit about baby dolls. I was always wanting to be an adult and playing with Barbie was a bit of role playing for the future. I was super excited to get the camper van for Barbie – as excited as I was to get my real one a couple years ago!😄 I don’t think a doll would have impacted my self image – that was more of a peer thing, or maybe television and magazines.
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Sounds like your head was on straight, Eilene, you were using Barbie for ‘practice runs’! That’s funny about the camper! 😄
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I wasn’t allowed to play with Barbie since she had full breasts. I was steered to play with the Ginny doll – https://www.pinterest.com/pin/398005685817219244/
Looking back I think it’s kind of funny I was drawn to the Ginny desk and calendar with tiny magnetic dates.
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So Ginny was your consolation doll then? Lol She’s a cutie. I myself only had baby-type dolls. That was in the ‘50s, though. BB – Before Barbie!
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