The Barbie doll was invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler (co-founder of Mattel), whose own daughter was called Barbara. Barbie was introduced to the world at the American Toy Fair in New York City. The doll was intended to be a teenage fashion doll. There has been some controversy over Barbie's figure when it realized that if Barbie was a real person her measurements would be an impossible 36-18-38. The Ken doll was named after Ruth's son. Barbie first had bendable legs in 1965.

Ruth Handler
After fighting breast cancer and undergoing a mastectomy in 1970 Ruth Handler, one of the creators of the Barbie Doll, surveyed the market for a suitable prosthetic breast. Disappointed in the options available, she set about designing a replacement breast that was more similar to a natural one. In 1975, Handler received a patent for Nearly Me, a prosthesis made of material close in weight and density to natural breasts.

Barbie ® Trivia
Firsts and trivia facts for Barbie and Ken.

The Barbie Start Page
Everything Barbie from vintage to modern! Start here--hundreds of links, photos, articles, how-tos on restoration and identification, and much MORE! Don't miss the galleries and price guide, and our latest article on playing with Barbie dolls!

Inventing Barbie
"In every second of every day, two Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world"

Barbie Doll Official Website
Everything Barbie can be found here.

Barbie Doll Collecting Site
Official Mattel website

Barbie Bazaar Magazine
Official Barbie Doll collectors club.

Related Information
Toy Inventions
Women Inventors