Barbie is a fashion doll created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler, manufactured by American toy and entertainment company Mattel and introduced on March 9, 1959. The toy was based on the German Bild Lilli doll which Handler had purchased while in Europe.

Jan 29, 2016 · The leggy, 11-inch plastic figure—full name: Barbara Millicent Roberts—was the first mass-produced toy doll in the U.S. with adult features. She would go on to become one of the most...

After redesign that was done by Handler herself and an engineer Jack Ryan, the first Barbie (named by the nickname of Handler’s daughter Barbara) doll was ready to be showcased to the public. First Barbie doll made her debut on March 9, 1959, at …

Apr 9, 2025 · Barbie officially debuted on March 9, 1959, at the American International Toy Fair in New York City as a creation of ’s Ruth Handler. Handler got her inspiration from the German Lilli doll in 1956, and development of the Barbie doll began soon after. Barbie was first sold in 1958. What are the controversies surrounding Barbie?

Nov 24, 2009 · On March 9, 1959, the first Barbie doll goes on display at the American Toy Fair in New York City. Eleven inches tall, with a waterfall of blond hair, Barbie was the first mass-produced toy...

Jul 13, 2023 · The first Barbie was introduced on March 9, 1959 – now considered Barbie's official birthday. The doll was first launched at the American Toy Fair in New York City.

Ruth named the doll Barbie, after her daughter. The first model went on display in March 1959 at the annual Toy Fair in New York City. In Barbie’s first television ad, broadcast that same year, a...

Mar 9, 2015 · The precursor to the Barbie doll was not meant for children. Born in Germany in 1952, the inspiration for America’s most famous doll was a saucy high-end call girl named Lilli.

Jul 19, 2023 · We're breaking down a timeline of Barbie history through the years including photos of the first Barbie doll and all her careers.

The first Barbie doll was introduced in New York in 1959, in both blonde and brunette versions, wearing a zebra-print one-piece swimsuit and white sunglasses with a closet of fashionable clothes. Barbie became an instant success, and 350,000 dolls were sold the first year.