In 2018, Mattel released a new “Inspiring Women” collection that features three ground-breaking, history-making women- Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo and Katherine Johnson. Mattel bought the rights to Lilli, and Handler created her own version.Īmelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo and Katherine Johnson from the Barbie Inspiring Women collection Originally marketed as a racy gag gift that men could buy in tobacco shops, the Lilli doll later became extremely popular with children. Inspired by watching their daughter play with make-believe paper dolls of adult women, Handler realized there was an unfilled niche in the market for a toy that allowed little girls to imagine the future.īarbie’s appearance was modeled after a doll named the Bild Lilli, which had been inspired by a German comic-strip character. She would go on to become one of the most iconic playthings in history.īarbie was the brainchild of Ruth Handler, co-founder (with her husband Elliot) of the toy company Mattel, Inc. The leggy, 11-inch plastic figure-full name: Barbara Millicent Roberts-was the first mass-produced toy doll in the U.S. In March 1959, a doll named "Barbie" launched onto the American toy market, sporting a black-and-white striped bathing suit, pouty red lips and a sassy blonde ponytail.
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