12 Captivating Details About Barbie

Since her introduction over six decades ago, Barbie has become a global cultural phenomenon. Now, she’s set to star in her first live-action film, directed by Greta Gerwig and featuring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, releasing on July 21. Here’s a look at the history of the iconic doll before you watch her cinematic journey.

Barbie was introduced to the world on March 9, 1959.

Barbie’s debut at the 1959 American International Toy Fair in New York marked her official birthday. Standing 11 inches tall, she wore a chic black and white striped swimsuit, setting her apart from other dolls that depicted infants or young children. Her adult figure was revolutionary at the time. Interestingly, Barbie initially lacked a belly button, which wasn’t added until 2000, over four decades later.

2. Barbie was created by a former Pentagon engineer.

Jack Ryan, who started as an engineer developing missiles for the Pentagon, was recruited by Mattel for his expertise in advanced technology and materials. His innovative designs contributed to Barbie’s flexible waist and distinctive knee joints that produce a “click click” sound.

3. Barbie’s design was inspired by a German doll intended for adults.

While Jack Ryan designed Barbie, the idea originated from Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler. During a trip to Europe with her children, Handler discovered the German Bild Lilli doll, which was far from child-appropriate. Lilli, originally a comic character, was marketed as a high-end escort and sold in adult shops. Handler, who had previously suggested the concept of an adult doll to her husband, saw potential in Lilli. Though initially hesitant, her husband Elliot was convinced after seeing the doll’s popularity.

In her autobiography, Handler wrote, “Barbie’s purpose was to show girls they could become anything they aspired to be. She symbolized the power of choice for women.”

The creators of Bild Lilli initially filed a lawsuit against Mattel for patent infringement, but the case was dropped, and Mattel acquired the rights to the doll for $21,600.

4. Barbie’s name was inspired by the creators’ daughter.

Barbie was named after the Handlers’ daughter, Barbara, while Ken was named after their son, Kenneth. In Barbie’s fictional universe, her parents are George and Margaret Roberts from Willows, Wisconsin. Her family includes siblings like Skipper, Tutti, Todd, Stacie, Kelly, Chelsea, and Krissy. Tutti and Todd are twins, as are Todd and Stacie, according to Todd’s packaging. She also has cousins named Francie and Jazzie.

5. One of Barbie’s siblings mysteriously disappeared.

Adding to the twin sibling mystery, Tutti vanished without explanation in 1971, leading many to believe Stacie, introduced in 1992, is Tutti’s reimagined version.

6. Barbie has sparked significant debates about body image.

Barbie has frequently been at the heart of body image debates because of her impossibly slim yet curvy physique. Mattel designs Barbie on a one-sixth scale, typical for action figures, resulting in measurements around 38-18-28 (depending on the doll version). Critics, including various media outlets and organizations, argue that her proportions are not just unrealistic but would render a real woman unable to walk, support her head, or maintain functional organs. In response, Mattel has introduced dolls with diverse body types, skin tones, and hairstyles, as well as a doll representing Down syndrome and the “Inspiring Women” series, featuring figures like Jane Goodall and Ida B. Wells.

7. A limited-edition Barbie once included a weight loss guide with the advice “Don’t Eat.”

Adding to the body-image concerns is a controversial piece of Barbie’s past—the 1965 Slumber Party Barbie, which included a “How to Lose Weight” book featuring advice like “don’t eat.” The set also came with a bathroom scale showing Barbie, at a hypothetical 5-foot-9-inch height, weighing 110 pounds. Factoring in her one-sixth scale, this would make her about 35 pounds underweight.

8. An original Barbie doll can now be worth a small fortune.

The first Barbie dolls retailed for $3 each, with additional costs for accessories. Today, an original Barbie in pristine condition could sell for nearly $25,000 at auction. Even non-mint-condition dolls and their accessories can command a high price, often appearing on eBay and through vintage sellers.

9. Numerous celebrities have been immortalized as Barbie dolls.

The first real-life celebrity to inspire a Barbie was British fashion icon Twiggy, whose doll featured a mod mini-skirt, go-go boots, and her iconic spider lashes. Over the years, Barbie has honored many famous figures, including Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, and Audrey Hepburn, as well as contemporary stars like Nicki Minaj, Gigi Hadid, and Ava DuVernay.

10. Barbie’s debut profession was as a teenage fashion model.

After starting as a teenage fashion model, Barbie has taken on countless roles, such as a fashion editor, flight attendant, ballerina, tennis pro, executive, candy striper, astronaut, surgeon, Miss America, Olympic gymnast, actress, aerobics instructor, reporter, rock star, UNICEF ambassador, army officer, rapper, chef, police officer, Rockette, baseball player, SCUBA diver, U.S. Air Force Thunderbird Squadron Leader, paleontologist, NASCAR driver, pilot, sign language teacher, presidential candidate, American Idol winner, zoologist, Space Camp instructor, and fashion intern (a role that came long after her fashion editor days). With over 200 careers, her professional journey is incredibly diverse.

11. Barbie owned her own home long before many real women could.

Barbie’s first Dreamhouse debuted in 1962, a time when many single women faced barriers like needing a male co-signer for mortgages and credit cards. This inequality persisted until the Equal Opportunity Credit Act was enacted in 1974.

12. If you haven’t noticed, Barbie’s signature color is pink.

Barbie’s iconic pink is officially recognized as Pantone PMS 219 C. There’s even a unique Barbie doll wearing a dress crafted from Pantone swatches.