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Barbie
Barbie, also known as Barbara Millicent Roberts, made its first appearance on March 9, 1959 at the New York American International Toy Fair. From that day forward, the girl's most famous toy becomes the world's best-selling doll.
Barbie was first conceptualized in 1958 by Ruth Handler after she was motivated by her daughter's fashion for three-dimensional adult-bodied doll. Handler then recommended the design to Elliot Handler, her husband and Mattel's co-founder. However, during that time, Handler's idea was not feasible because dolls are supposedly designed as baby's or children's look-a-likes.
Ruth Handler based her designs to Lilli, a German adult-figured doll. With luck on its side, Mattel obtained the full legal rights of the smart and stylish Lilli. Jack Ryan, Mattel's design engineer, subsequently refurbished Lilli's overall shape and mold. The company then named the new doll Barbie in honor of Ruth Handler's daughter, Barbara.
The first ever Barbie doll produced was dressed in a zebra-striped swimsuit with a curly blond or brunette hair bangs. Her line of clothes was meticulously tailored by Charlotte Johnson, Mattel's Head Fashion Designer. Johnson designed Barbie's dresses after Paris, France's most famous fashion shows.
The 5 feet 9 inches and 1.75 meters Barbie, if sized in real life, have also fictional friends and families. Some of her family members include Skipper, Tutti and Todd (her twin siblings), Stacie, Kelly, and Krissy. Her long lists of friends are Ken (her boyfriend for 43 years), Midge, Teresa, Christie, Steven, and Kayla.
Barbie also has also many descriptions in life. These include portrayals as an athlete, paleontologist, doctor, dentist, nurse, veterinarian, astronaut, politician, rock star, and a firefighter.
Barbie uttered its first words in 1968 when the first ever speakable Barbie doll was created. Some of its first words were "I love being a fashion model". In 1992, Totally Hair Barbie became the top-selling Barbie doll in history.
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