Barbie
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Wikipedia-Article "Barbie"
- For other uses, see Barbie (disambiguation).
Barbie, the world's most famous and best-selling doll, debuted at the American International Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. The doll is produced by Mattel, inc.
The highest-selling Barbie doll in Mattel's history, Totally Hair Barbie, was released in 1992. Totally Hair Barbie featured extra-long hair, which reached from her head down to her toes.
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Development
In the 1950s Ruth Handler, "creator" of the Barbie doll, noticed that her daughter, Barbara, preferred to play with dolls that resembled adults than babies. At that time, most three-dimensional dolls were made to look like babies or small children; however, Barbara preferred playing with paper dolls that looked like adults. Realizing that there was a hole in the marketplace, Handler suggested the idea of a three-dimensional adult-bodied doll to her husband, Elliot Handler, a co-founder of the Mattel toy company, but the idea was scoffed at. Mattel's directors told her that it would be impossible to create such a doll.
However, during a trip to Germany with her daughter, Handler discovered a German doll named Lilli in a shop window. The adult-figured Lilli doll was exactly what Handler had had in mind, so she purchased three of them. She gave one to her daughter and took the others back to Mattel.
The Lilli doll was based on a popular character appearing in a newspaper comic strip drawn by Reinhard Beuthin for die Bild-Zeitung. Lilli was a fashionable "society girl" who knew what she wanted and wasn't above using men to get it. The Lilli doll was first sold in Germany in 1955. Although the doll was initially marketed to adult men in bars and tobacco shops, it eventually became popular with children, who enjoyed dressing her up in outfits that were available separately. The doll was so popular, she was even exported to other countries, including the United States.
At some point, Mattel acquired the rights to the Lilli doll. A new sculpt was designed (with help from engineer Jack Ryan), the concept was revamped, and the doll was given a new name: Barbie, after Handler's daughter, Barbara. The doll made its debut at the New York International American Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. (This date is also used as Barbie's official "birthday".)
The first Barbie doll wore a black-and-white "zebra-striped" swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail with tightly-curled bangs. The dolls were available either as blonds or brunettes. In succeeding years, Barbie dolls were made available with other hair styles and colors. The doll was marketed as a "Teen-age Fashion Model", so many fashions were available for her as well. Barbie's wardrobe was designed by esteemed Mattel fashion designer Charlotte Johnson, whose inspiration came from the fashion runways of Paris.
Ruth Handler stated that she felt it was "important to a little girl's self-esteem to play with a doll that [had] breasts", believing it would allow them role-play and imagine their future lives as adult women. However, Barbie's exaggerated proportions have always been a point of contention for her detractors. Mattel asserts that Barbie's exaggerated proportions are necessary to allow clothes to fit properly on such a small scale, but many have suggested that Barbie's unrealistic proportions may contribute to self-esteem and body image problems in young girls. Mattel has adjusted Barbie's proportions in recent years as an answer to current fashion trends, but the present Barbie doll body is still uncharacteristic of most women.
The Barbie doll is a $1.9 billion dollar a year industry. Mattel has claimed that approximately three Barbie dolls are sold every second.
Biography of Barbara Millicent Roberts
Barbie's fictional biography has developed as her sales continued. She has been given the fuller name Barbara Millicent Roberts, and a family and friends have been manufactured for her, starting with her beau Ken. Additions to the family tree include Skipper (debut 1964), twins Tutti and Todd (1966), Stacie (1992), Kelly (1995), and baby Krissy (1999). Barbie has dated Ken since 1961, and after a long estrangement was reunited with her best friend Midge in the early nineties. Other longstanding friends in Barbie's ethnically diverse social circle include Hispanic Teresa, African-American Christie and Steven (Christie's boyfriend), and the ethnically-ambiguous Kayla.
Barbie has been said to attend Willows High School in Willows, Wisconsin and Manhattan International High School in New York City (based on the real-life Stuyvesant High School).
Barbie has thirty-eight recorded pets, including cats and dogs, horses, a panda, a lion cub, and a zebra. Barbie has used her driver's license to the fullest, with pink convertibles, trailers and more. She also has a pilot's license, and operates commercial airliners, when not serving as a stewardess.
Barbie and Ken's break-up
On February 12, 2004, just days before Valentine's, Mattel spokespeople announced the split of Barbie and Ken after 43 years of dating.
"Barbie and Ken have always been an extraordinary couple with so much on- and off-screen chemistry" said the pair's business manager, Russell Arons, Vice President Marketing, Mattel. "In fact, they just finished wrapping their fourth movie together, 'Barbie™ as The Princess and the Pauper,' which debuts this fall. And now they feel it's time to spend some quality time – apart."
A Mattel press release ended saying "Although their future is yet to be set in "cement," one thing is for certain - Barbie and Ken will always remain the best of friends."
Barbie's new partner is Blaine, a surfer from Sydney, Australia who has just moved to California. He is available in the "Cali Guy" range that accompanies the "Cali Girl" range of Barbie dolls that show Barbie with suntanned skin. [1]
2004 campaign for presidency
On August 12, 2004, Barbie announced she was running for the presidential office, as a member of the Party of Girls. According to a Mattel press release:
- "In preparation for hitting the campaign trail, Barbie consulted thousands of loyal constituents through Barbie.com to help finalize a platform that includes three primary issues relevant to girls - create world peace, help the homeless and poor, and take care of animals. Barbie encourages girls to log onto Barbie.com to learn more about the Barbie for President campaign and to speak up on what is important to them. Barbie is partnering with The White House Project, a national nonpartisan organization devoted to advancing women's leadership, and has entered into an exclusive partnership with Toys "R" Us.
- "Barbie is the ultimate ambassador for girls and this bid for the presidency reinforces the idea that it is never too soon to get involved and have your voice heard," says Russell Arons, Vice President Marketing, Mattel. "Barbie has extensive background and experience that makes for an ideal candidate - including serving in the military, acting as a UNICEF ambassador and being a teacher; obviously, being well-educated, well-rounded and motivated is a huge plus.
- "Barbie for President shows girls that they can aspire to the highest levels of leadership, including the presidency. It allows girls to think about turning Barbie's dream house into the White House," says Marie C. Wilson, president and founder of The White House Project, which recently launched its "Go Vote. Go Run. Go Lead. Go Girl." campaign. "Since Barbie is such a large part of girls' lives, we believe it's important to encourage them to become tomorrow's leaders, and Barbie for President sends that message."
Cultural effect
Barbie has often been used to promote gender equality as an example that women can "be anything". She has taken up many occupations over the years. Here are some of them:
- Olympic athlete (several dolls, including a gymnast and a figure skater)
- Paleontologist
- Doctor, dentist, nurse, and veterinarian
- Astronaut - An astronaut suit was sold for Barbie around the same time the first woman, Valentina Tereshkova, entered space.
- Fashion designer
- Model - Barbie was originally marketed as a "teen-age fashion model"
- Politician - Barbie ran for President of the United States in 1992, 2000 and again in 2004.
- Rock star - Barbie has fronted several bands, including Barbie and the Rockers and Beyond Pink.
- Firefighter
- McDonald's employee
- Tourist at Walt Disney World and Disneyland
- See full list of Barbie's careers
However, recently Barbie's presence in in the life of an American girl has been said to be a negative influence. Many groups say that young girls may set the doll as their model, leading to issues with body image and gender role insercurities later in life.
Many designers have been given the opportunity to design clothing for Barbie. Among them are Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Bob Mackie, Nicole Miller, Christian Dior, Escada, Anne Klein, Ralph Lauren, Donatella Versace and Bill Blass.
Controversies
Barbie is often looked upon as an icon of Western childhood. Her popularity ensures that her effect on the play of Western children attracts a high degree of scrutiny. The criticisms leveled at her are often based around the idea of children considering Barbie a role model and attempting to emulate her.
The Middle Eastern country of Saudi Arabia outlawed the sale of Barbie dolls on September 10, 2003 for not conforming to the ideals of Islam. In addition, Saudi authorities determined Barbie to be a Jewish doll, as her creator was of Jewish descent.
"Barbie" is sometimes used as a derogatory slang term for a person, particularly a girl or woman, who is stupid. See bimbo.
The first of Barbie's black friends, "Colored Francie," debuted in 1967, but racial tensions quickly caused this doll to be discontinued. The first African-American Barbie, "Black Barbie," appeared thirteen years later.
Physical characteristics
Barbie's height and exaggerated hourglass figure drew criticism from parents and anorexia nervosa groups. If scaled into real life proportions, she would be 5 feet, 9 inches, (1.75 m) measuring 36-18-33. According to research by the University Central Hospital in Helsinki, Finland, she would lack the requisite 17 to 22 percent of body fat required to menstruate. [2]
According to research the by Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, a healthy woman would have to have her neck elongated by 3.2 in. (Int J Eat Disord. 1995 Nov;18(3):295-8) to match Barbie's proportions. Long necks are valued in many societies; for example, the Burmese sometimes practice neck enlongation body modification by using neck rings. These rings crush the collar bone over time to give the appearance of an elongated neck.
Barbie's defenders say that her exaggerated proportions are necessary for her to look natural when wearing clothing.
Stereotyping
The enormous range of available accessories relating to clothes, hair, make-up, parties and looking pretty give rise to the accusation that Barbie encourages young girls to focus on shallow trivia. Her accessories reflect a lifestyle that is unobtainable for most of the girls who play with her.
This culminated in 1993 when Mattel released "Teen Talk Barbie", a talking version of the doll. It spoke a number of phrases such as, "Will we ever have enough clothes?" "I love shopping!" and, "Wanna have a pizza party?" Each doll was programmed to say four out of 270 possible phrases, so chances were good that no two dolls owned by a girl or her friends would be exactly the same. One of these 270 phrases was "Math is hard!" Although only about 1.5% of all the dolls sold said the phrase, it caused public outcry over Barbie's representation of women, and the infamous phrase quickly became a common pop culture reference.
A group of parents, feminists and other activists known as the Barbie Liberation Organization bought hundreds of Barbies and GI Joe dolls, and switched their voice circuitry. This resulted in the new modified Barbie saying, "Eat lead, Cobra!" and "Dead men tell no lies." [3]
Opposition to Barbie dolls in the Middle East has led to the sale of a Barbie-like doll called Fulla. These dolls are not produced or endorsed by Mattel but are similar in appearance and are dressed in traditional Islamic costumes such as a full length dress and headscarf. [4]
In December 2005 research published by psychologists at Bath University in England suggested that girls often mutilate their Barbie dolls in a variety of ways, including decapitation and placing the doll in a microwave oven. Dr Agnes Nairn said: "When we asked groups of junior school children about Barbie, the doll provoked rejection, hatred and violence." Dr Nairn went on to suggest that older girls rejected Barbie dolls because they were seen as an unwelcome reminder of their childhood. [5]
Responses
One of the most publicized responses happened around the turn of the century, as Barbie's waist widened to more natural proportions. Barbies of different nationalities have also been created, including African, Hispanic, Asian and Native American Barbies. Still, these Barbies are exact replicas of the original Barbie, with no individualism other than facial color and/or eye color. Most commonly the Hispanic Teresa and African-American Christie appear as Barbie's "ethno-friend" alongside Skipper and occasionally red-head Midge, who has been around since the sixties.
Mattel also released an "International collection" in 1980, with Barbies from different parts of the world. The dolls are dressed in more or less traditional clothes, each representing a nation. The European countries are highly over-represented but there are also Peruvian, Kenyan, Chinese, Arctic, Japanese and Australian Barbies. In 2001 "The Princess Collection" was issued for instance with dolls named Princess of India, Princess of the Navajo, Princess of the Vikings. As of 2005 there are also a "Kelly: Dolls of the World" where Barbies "little sister" and two friends represent different European countries.
To counter accusations of gender stereotyping, career Barbies have been released. These include astronaut, gymnast, rapper and soldier models. She also ran for President after breaking up with Ken. [6]
Parodies and lawsuits
Many artists have referred to Barbie and her accompanying products, either as homage or as parody. The European pop-dance group Aqua released a song called "Barbie Girl" in 1997. It contained lyrics such as "You can brush my hair/Undress me everywhere" and used graphics similar to the pink Barbie logo. Mattel used this as grounds for a trademark infringement and defamation lawsuit filed on September 11, 1997. However, it was dismissed by the court as parody on May 15, 1998.
A commercial by automobile company Nissan featured dolls similar to Barbie and Ken driving in a toy car was the subject of another lawsuit on September 18, 1997 [7].
See also Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story.
Collecting
Mattel estimates that there are well over 100,000 avid Barbie collectors. Ninety-percent are women, at an average age of 40, purchasing more than 20 Barbie dolls each year. Forty-five-percent of them spend upwards of $1000 a year. While the original Barbie sold for $3.00 in 1959, a mint boxed Barbie from 1959 sold for $3552.50 on eBay in October 2004. [8]
Related merchandise
Books about Barbie first emerged in the 1960s. In the mid-1990s, a new line of novels about Barbie appeared. This new series showcased Barbie's adventurous exploits. By the late-1990s, Mattel had moved to featuring her in interactive 3D video games for both gaming consoles and personal computers. In recent years, she has taken the computer animated movie industry by storm, guest appearing in Toy Story 2, and later her own direct-to-video movies, Barbie in the Nutcracker, Barbie as Rapunzel, Barbie of Swan Lake, Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper, Barbie:Fairytopia, and Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus, all of which were accompanied by small product lines, including dolls. Though not feature length, they are fairly abundant in plot.
Terminology
Collector Edition - Dolls designed specifically for collectors aged 14 and over. Collector Edition dolls usually come in showcase packaging, with a stand and a certificate of authenticity.
Customized - Dolls designed exclusively for specific retail stores are referred to as "customized".
Limited Edition - Collector Edition dolls produced in limited quantities worldwide, which are often available only from specific retailers. These dolls generally feature higher-quality materials and construction than non-limited dolls.
OSS - Stands for "original swimsuit". Denotes a doll that is still dressed in the swimsuit it originally came in.
Ponytail - Barbie's first hairstyle consisted of a top-knot ponytail with tightly-curled bangs. Dolls with this hairstyle are referred to by collectors as the "ponytail" dolls. Early Barbie dolls are organized into five major groups based on various physical characterstics that can be used to determine when a particular doll was manufactured. The major categories are denoted by numbers:
- #1 - 1959; The first Barbie doll. White irises, blue eyeliner, sharply arched eyebrows. Has holes in feet lined with copper tubing. Body material whitens with age. Wears black and white swimsuit. Marked "Barbie TM..." on buttock.
- #2 - 1959; same as #1, but without the copper-lined tubes in the feet.
- #3 - 1960; New blue irises and softer, curved eyebrows. Some dolls have brown eyeliner.
- #4 - 1960; Made with a new vinyl that retains its tan coloring. Blue eyeliner only.
- #5 - 1961; Bangs now made of a stiffer fiber. Lighter in weight due to a hollow torso, marked "Barbie (r)..." on buttock.
- #6 - 1961; Same as #5. Came wearing a new red swimsuit.
- #7 - 1963; Body now marked "Midge TM (c) 1962 Barbie (r)(c) 1958 by Mattel, Inc."
- #8 - 1964; Same as #7, but "Patented" added to the end of markings.
Timeless Treasures™ - A Collector Edition line featuring celebrity and character dolls.
TNT - "Twist 'N Turn" Waist. A waist with a rotational joint, originally introduced in 1967, copyrighted in 1966. Many variations of this original design have been used.
Vintage - Dolls produced through 1972 are generally considered to be "vintage."
Modern - Dolls produced after 1972.
NRFB - Stands for "Never Removed From Box." Indicates that a doll is undisturbed in its original, un-opened packaging.
MIB - Stands for "Mint in Box." Indicates that a doll is in perfect, like-new condition, and is still housed in its original box, but the box has been opened and the doll may have been removed at some point.
A/O - "All original." Indicates that a doll is exactly as it was when it was originally left the factory, with no restoration work having been done to it.
M/C - "Mint and complete." An outfit in perfect, just-out-of-the box condition with all pieces and accessories included.
OOAK - "One of a kind." A doll that has been customized by an artist, usually by repainting and/or rerooting the hair.
Timeline
- 1958: Ruth Handler develops the idea of Barbie, inspired by the Bild Lilli doll.
- 1959: Barbie doll debuts. The vintage era of Barbie begins.
- 1960: Barbie dolls number 3 and 4 are released.
- 1961: Barbie doll now available with red hair and a new short style known as the "bubblecut." Barbie doll's boyfriend Ken debuts.
- 1963: Fashion Queen Barbie debuts with molded hair and three interchangeable wigs. Barbie doll's best friend, Midge, is introduced.
- 1964: "Miss Barbie" debuts with sleep eyes and is the first with bendable legs. Like the Fashion Queen, she also wears wigs. A new "Swirl" ponytail style Barbie is also introduced as well as Skipper, Barbie's little sister.
- 1965: Barbie "American Girl" is introduced. Fashions inspired by the First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy are marketed. More of the dolls offered with lifelike with legs that bend. Miss Astronaut is introduced.
- 1966: Color Magic Barbie debuts. Lunch on the Terrace, Pretty as a Picture, and Shimmering Magic are marketed. Barbie’s cousin Francie introduced. Barbie’s little sister and brother, twins Tutti and Todd, debuts.
- 1967: Twist ‘N Turn Barbie is introduced. Fashion Shiner and Braniff Boarding Outfit are marketed. Colored Francie appears.
- 1968: Barbie speaks for the first time (English and Spanish). Six different phrases are said, including "I have a date tonight", "I love being a fashion model", and "Let's have a costume party."
- 1969: Ken is reintroduced with muscles and a new head, knees that bend, and the ability to speak.
- 1970: Living Barbie is introduced. She has elbows, knees, and ankles that bend. Her head, waist, arms, hands, and legs swivel.
- 1971: Malibu Barbie debuts. Growin’ Pretty Hair Barbie debuts. Barbie doll's demure side-glancing eyes now look straight ahead.
- 1972: This is the year that the modern era of Barbie begins. Walk-Lively Barbie and Talking Busy Brbie are introduced. Talking Busy Barbie can communicate. Talking Busy Barbie has rotating wrists and hands can hold accessories.
- 1973: Quick Curl Barbie is introduced. Ken doll's hair comes with straight or curly hair and a removable beard, sideburns and two moustaches.
- 1974: Barbie turns sixteen. A section of Times Square in New York City is renamed Barbie Boulevard for a week.
- 1975: Barbie Olympic skier, gymnast and skater are marketed poseable with a "gold" medal. Barbie Get-Ups 'N Go new careers as a doctor, surgical nurse, ballerina and a flight attendant. Barbie Dream Boat is introduced.
- 1976: Ballerina Barbie debuts. Barbie of the Century for the bicentennial celebration is dressed in a red, white, and blue dress. Her red skirt is decorated with the American flag. A line of revolutionary soldiers in uniform are also supplied.
- 1977: SuperStar Barbie is introduced. Eighteen inches (457 mm) tall Super Size Barbie debuts. Barbie and Ken have new bent arms and extra-poseable heads. "Pierced" earrings reappear, and dolls get rings for the first time.
- 1978: SuperStar Barbie gets the SuperStar Stage Show. Fashion Photo Barbie has photo shoots posing on a modeling stand.
- 1979: Pretty Changes Barbie debuts.
- 1980: Black Barbie, Hispanic Barbie, and the International Collection are marketed. The International Collection initially including Italian Barbie, Parisian Barbie, and Royal U.K. Barbie. The first Barbie doll convention is held.
- 1981: Western Barbie doll goes country with Westward Ho and Classic Cowgirl. Dallas, her palomino horse, debuts.
- 1982: Pink & Pretty Barbie debuts. Black Magic Curl Barbie debuts. Eskimo Barbie and India Barbie are added to the International Collection.
- 1983: Twirly Curls Barbieis marketed. Dream Date Barbie dates Ken. Angel Face Barbie has her own makeup line. Swedish Barbie and Spanish Barbie are added to the International Collection.
- 1984: Barbie doll's 25th Anniversary. Barbie & Ken Day is declared by New York Mayor Ed Koch. Tiffany's creates a sterling silver Barbie doll. The International Collection becomes the Dolls of the World Collection. Swiss Barbie and Irish Barbie are introduced.
- 1985: Day-to-Night Barbie debuts. Andy Warhol releases his Barbie painting. Barbie doll exhibition finishes its travels from France and nine U.S. cities.
- 1986: Barbie joins a band, The Rockers. Dream Glow Fashions that glow in the dark is marketed. Blue Rhapsody Barbie is introduced. It is the first Limited Edition collector Barbie doll. It is the first porcelain doll. Astronaut Barbie travels to space. Peruvian Barbie and Greek Barbie debut.
- 1987: Barbie's wild Concert Tour fashions take a cue from pop star Madonna. The World Collection adds Icelandic Barbie and German Barbie.
- 1988: The Happy Holidays Series debuts. Benefit Performance 1967 Barbie is added to the Limited Edition porcelain dolls. Mardis Gras Barbie debuts. Canadian Barbie and Korean Barbie are introduced.
- 1989: Barbie doll's 30th Anniversary. 1200 Pink Jubilee Barbie are given to invitation-only attendees. Army Barbie is marketed.
- 1990: Sophisticated Lady Barbie is added to the Limited Edition Porcelain Collection. Bob Mackie Gold Barbie is introduced with over 5,000 golden sequins and beads. It is Dolls magazine's "1990 Award of Excellence" and Doll Reader magazine's "Doty Doll of the Year Award." Air Force Barbie debuts. Nigerian Barbie and Brazilian Barbie join the Dolls of the World.
- 1991: Starlight Splendor Barbie and Platinum Barbie are added to the long line. Navy Barbie doll is introduced. Gay Parisien Barbie doll is marketed. Czechoslovakian Barbie debuts.
- 1992: Stacie is introduced. Marine Corps Barbie debuts. Barbie store opens at FAO Schwarz in New York. Crystal Rhapsody Barbie debuts is the first mail-order Barbie doll. It is part of the Presidential Porcelain Barbie Collection. Neptune Fantasy Barbie and Empress Bride Barbie are marketed. Benefit Ball Barbie of the Classique Collection is introduced.
- 1993: 1920s Flapper Barbie and Gibson Girl Barbie of the Great Eras Collection are introduced. The First Edition Native American Barbie debuts and is added to the World Collection. The Masquerade Ball Barbie debuts.
- 1994: Barbie doll’s 35th Anniversary. Mattel reproduces the original number 1 Barbie. Limited Edition Jubilee Barbie is introduced and only 5,000 were made for domestic distribution. Kenyan Barbie and Chinese Barbie join Dolls of the World. Hollywood Legends Collection begins with as Scarlet O' Hara Barbie. Queen of Hearts Barbie is marketed.
- 1995: Mattel’s 50th Anniversary. Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Barbie is released. Kelly is introduced. The second doll in the Hollywood Legends Collection with Dorothy Barbie from The Wizard of Oz is introduced. Goddess of the Sun Barbie debuts. Rapunzel Barbie debuts as part of the new Children’s Collector Series.
- 1996: Barbie web site is available. Moon Goddess Barbie debuts. Barbie Millicent Roberts Collection debuts. Limited Edition Vintage Reproduction Poodle Parade Barbie is introduced. Hollywood Legends Collection features Barbie as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.
- 1997: Harley-Davidson Barbie, a Toys 'R Us and Harley-Davidson dealership exclusive, debuts. Official Barbie Collector’s Club debuts. Marilyn Barbie is added to the Hollywood Legends Collection. Grand Premier Barbie doll, the first doll for club members only is marketed. Limelight Barbie is introduced. Billions of Dreams Barbie debuts. Classic Ballet Series with Sugar Plum Fairy Barbie.
- 1998: Sunflower Barbie, second in the Artist Series, is marketed. Happy Holidays Barbie doll series ends. Timeless Sentiments Collection is introduced with the Angel of Joy Barbie. Nolan Miller's Sheer Illusion Barbie and Vera Wang's bridal gown Barbie debut. Harley-Davidson Barbie #2 is released. Elizabeth Taylor endorses first approved doll in her likeness. One of a kind "Dream Halloween" CAAF auction doll depicting Miss Taylor at the 1954 Oscars ceremony designed by Anne Zielinski-Old sells to Demi Moore for ground breaking $25000.00. Collectible vinyl production dolls depicting "Cleopatra" and "Father of the Bride" follow. [9]
- 1999: Silken Flame Barbie doll selected as a 1960s lifestyle for the U.S. Postal Service's Celebrate the Century™ stamp series. Le Papillon™ Barbie and Crystal Jubilee Barbie debuts. Barbie doll's 40th Anniversary. New face sculpting is used on Coca-Cola Barbie, NASCAR Official #94 Barbie, and Barbie in the Barbie and Kenny Country Duet Set. Collector Edition 40th Anniversary Barbie is released. Gala Edition 40th Anniversary Barbie has a very Limited Edition of 20,000 dolls which are given to Toy Fair Gala attendees. The "Art of Barbie" event and exhibition is held in London to commemorate her anniversary, raising funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation [10]. The release of "Heartstring Angel", "Todd Oldham", and "Western Plains Barbie" all designed by Anne Zielinski-Old.
- 2000: Barbie for President debuts. Limited Edition dolls production is reduced to quantities of 35,000 or less. Barbie celebrates the year 2000! Barbie 2000, Millennium Wedding™, and Sydney 2000™ Olympic Pin Collector become part of the Most Collectible Doll In The World series. Hollywood Movie Star™ Collection with Barbie as part of the Golden Age of Hollywood is marketed. Barbie Fashion Model Collection debuts. Barbie Silkstone™ is introduced in this Collection; the distinctive pose and attitude for the new doll was designed by Anne Zielinski-Old [11], from a 3D digital mannequin earlier developed at the Royal College of Art for a "Virtual Catwalk" [12]. Barbie debuts with the belly button.
- 2001: The Cher Barbie doll debuts. Jeannie Barbie From I Dream of Jeannie™ and The Munsters™ Barbie Lily and Ken Herman Munster are introduced.
- 2003: Saudi Arabia's "Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" (the muttawa or "religious police") declares that Barbie's provocative clothing is offensive to Islam. The doll is already banned in the kingdom as a "Jewish" toy, but are available as contraband. "Jewish Barbie dolls, with their revealing clothes and shameful postures, accessories and tools are a symbol of decadence to the perverted West. Let us beware of her dangers and be careful."
- 2005: Mattel expands the Barbie domain with the introduction of a high-end "Barbie Luxe" designer line of clothing and accessories for adult women. Included: jeans, shirts, handbags and jewelry designed by well-known fashion designers. US sales of Barbie "crashed by 30%, and world sales by 18%" [13].
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Trivia
- In Sweden, more Barbie dolls have been sold than the country's current population.
- There is a gene in the Drosophila fruit-fly called the "ken and barbie" gene (abbreviated ken). When this gene is absent, the flies form without external genitalia.
- In The Simpsons, there is a parody of Barbie called Malibu Stacy.
- Barbie doll has lots of famous friends; Mattel has produced many celebrity dolls throughout the years.
- Several years ago, it was estimated that if every Barbie ever sold were laid end to end, the dolls would circle the world seven times.
- Barbie's measurements, if she were life size, are 39-22-33.
- In December 1999 a 46-year old man from Taiwan named Chang Hsi-hsum "married" a Barbie doll in a ceremony at his local Buddhist temple, in the belief that it housed the spirit of his former wife Tsai who had killed herself twenty years previously. [14]
- Barbie appears briefly in the 1999 movie Toy Story 2 as Tour Guide Barbie and Barbie on Backpack.
- The most popular Barbie joke is as follows: A man goes into a shop to buy a Barbie doll for his daughter, looks at the various models on display and asks the shop assistant in a puzzled way: "Why is Divorced Barbie so much more expensive than the other dolls?" "That's easy, sir" replies the shop assistant, "Divorced Barbie comes with Ken's car, Ken's house, Ken's furniture..."
See also
Further reading
- Lord, M.G., Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll. Paperback ISBN 0802776949.
- Rogers, Mary F., "Barbie Culture". Paperback ISBN 0761958886.
- Knaak, Silke., "German Fashion Dolls of the 50&60". Paperback www.barbies.de.
- Beckham, Victoria (Foreword), John, Elton (Foreword), The Art of Barbie. Paperback ISBN 0953747921
- Essays, Guys'n'dolls: Art, Science, Fashion & Relationships. Paperback ISBN 0948723572
External links
General
Other
- New York Times: "The Barbie Way of Knowledge" by Dave Cullen
- Washington Times: "Religious police take after Barbie" by Paul Martin
- St. Petersberg Times Floridian: "Coverup girl" by Susan Taylor Martin
- Salon.com: "The Littlest Harlot" by Tracy Quan
- "Renaissance Woman: Artist, Inventor, Developer" Interview with an ex-Barbie designer first published in Fashion Doll Quarterly.
- DoYouRemember.co.uk: "Barbie memories" by the visitors of DoYouRemember.co.uk
- Barbie Doll Girl: "A condensed history of Barbie"
- "Barbie Ethology" by Xah Lee.
- Plastic fantastic by Tim Radley and Ostercy