Barbie has been a beloved toy for over six decades, capturing the hearts of children all over the world since its creation in 1959 by Ruth Handler.
The iconic doll was born out of Handler’s observation of her daughter, Barbara, who would project her dreams and aspirations onto the paper dolls she played with. Recognizing the lack of toys that encouraged girls to dream beyond traditional roles, Handler saw an opportunity to create something revolutionary.
“My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be,” Handler expressed in her autobiography. “Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.” This mindset led to the founding of Mattel in 1945 by Ruth Handler, her husband Elliot, and Harold “Matt” Matson. The company launched Barbie in 1959, and the rest is history.
Despite being created over 60 years ago, Barbie continues to be a top-selling toy, selling 164 dolls per minute in 2021. Handler’s legacy goes beyond Barbie, as she was also a pioneer in the industry, breaking barriers as a female entrepreneur and corporate leader in a male-dominated field.
In addition to her work in the toy industry, Handler also made an impact in the medical field when she developed realistic breast prosthetics after undergoing a mastectomy. Her innovation helped countless women feel more comfortable and confident after such a life-altering procedure.
Although Handler passed away in 2002, her creation lives on under the ownership of Mattel. The company saw record-breaking sales of $1.7 billion from Barbie alone in 2021. To capitalize on Barbie’s success, Mattel has announced plans to create more toy-based movies, including those based on brands like Polly Pocket, Hot Wheels, and Uno.
The story of Barbie is not just about a plastic doll, but about the vision and determination of a woman who defied norms and created a cultural icon that continues to inspire generations of children to dream big and believe in limitless possibilities.
