On March 9th, National Barbie Day celebrates an iconic doll that premiered on that day in 1959. March 9th is also used as
Barbie's official birthday.
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| The first Barbie doll. Original uploaded by Barbieologin at Wikimedia Commons |
The idea for Barbie came about after Mattel toy partner Ruth Handler watched her daughter, Barbara, cut dolls out of magazines and carefully choose clothes and accessories to clothe them in. All other dolls on the market at the time were baby dolls, but Ruth realised there was enormous potential in a doll with adult features, allowing children to act out their dreams..
Barbie was named by Ruth after her daughter. Her full name is Barbie Millicent Roberts, and she is from Willows, Wisconsin.
Mattel designer Jack Ryan (1926-1991) created the popular image of the Barbie doll. Apart from Barbie's general appearance, Ryan designed both the hinge that enabled her knees and waist to bend and her pull-string voice box.
The Barbie Doll made her debut in a zebra-striped swimsuit at the New York Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. It took toy stores across the US by storm and more than 351,000 dolls were sold that year at $3 (£2.00) each.
