Who Invented Barbie? – A Historical Look at the Woman Who Revolutionized the Toy Industry

Introduction

Barbie is one of the most iconic dolls in the world and has been around since 1959. It was invented by Ruth Handler, a woman who changed the face of the toy industry forever. But who was Ruth Handler and what inspired her to create such an iconic doll? This article will take a look at the history of Barbie and its inventor, as well as the impact it has had on pop culture.

A Historical Look at Who Invented Barbie

Ruth Handler was born in 1916 in Denver, Colorado. She was the daughter of Polish immigrants and grew up with a passion for business. After graduating from high school, she married Elliot Handler and together they founded Mattel Inc., a toy company that would eventually become one of the most successful in the world.

When Ruth went on a trip to Europe in 1956, she noticed how popular paper dolls were among children. She was inspired to create a three-dimensional version of them and thus the idea of Barbie was born. Ruth worked with her team to design the doll, which was based on a German comic strip character named Lilli. After months of hard work, the first Barbie doll was ready to hit the market in 1959.

In the beginning, Handler faced a lot of criticism from the public and other toy companies who thought her idea was too risqué. However, she never gave up and continued to promote Barbie until it became a worldwide success. By 1962, Mattel was selling more than 350,000 dolls every week.

How Ruth Handler Revolutionized the Toy Industry with Barbie

Ruth Handler’s invention of Barbie changed the face of the toy industry forever. Before Barbie, dolls were primarily marketed towards young girls. They were typically seen as objects to nurture and care for, not as independent role models. Barbie represented a new kind of female empowerment – she was stylish, adventurous, and ambitious, and she encouraged young girls to dream big.

Handler also revolutionized the way toys were marketed. She recognized the power of television and began advertising Barbie on shows like The Mickey Mouse Club. She also made sure that Barbie was always dressed in the latest fashions and came with a variety of accessories, which helped make her even more appealing to young girls.

Barbie’s popularity quickly spread around the world and she became an international icon. Over the years, she has been featured in films, books, and television shows, and has inspired countless fashion trends. Today, Barbie is still one of the most popular dolls in the world and continues to be a symbol of female empowerment.

Conclusion

Ruth Handler was the woman behind the iconic Barbie doll. She was a pioneering entrepreneur who changed the face of the toy industry and inspired young girls everywhere to dream big. Through her creation, Handler showed the world that dolls could be more than just playthings – they could be powerful role models. Barbie is still one of the most popular dolls in the world today, and her influence can be seen in pop culture around the globe.