Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, created the Barbie doll in 1959. Barbie was introduced to the world at the American Toy Fair in New York City. She was a teenage fashion doll, named after Ruth Handler’s daughter, Barbara. The Ken doll, named after Ruth’s son, was introduced two years later in 1961.

The first ever Barbie sold for three dollars. Additional fashions based on the latest trends were sold separately for one to five dollars. During the first year, over three hundred thousand Barbie dolls were sold. Today a number 1 Barbie from 1959, in mint condition, can cost as much as three to four thousand dollars.

A Random House series of books in the 1960′s, first introduced Barbie’s life story. Her full name was Barbara Millicent Roberts. She came from Willows, Wisconsin. Her sometimes boyfriend was Ken Carson.

Another book series called Generation Girl by Golden Books was published in the late 90′s. In these novels, Barbie lived in Manhattan. Her immediate family before 1992 consisted of a sister, Skipper, and a twin brother and sister, Tutti and Todd. After 1992, her immediate family became sister, Skipper, twin sister and brother, Stacie and Todd, and baby sister, Kelly.

The first Barbie doll sported a ponytail, a black and white zebra striped bathing suit, open toed sandals, sunglasses, and earrings. She was first introduced as a teenage fashion model but over the years, she has had many personae and just about every conceivable profession such as doctor, dentist, astronaut, firefighter, news reporter, veterinarian, and even a presidential candidate.

Barbie’s first black friend was Christie, who was created in 1969. In 1980, the first Hispanic and African American Barbies were introduced. Today, the Barbie of the World series features dolls from cultures around the globe.

Barbie has been blonde, brunette and red head. Her figure has always been controversial. Her bust, waist, and hips measurements are five inches, three and a quarter inches, and five and three sixteenth inches respectively. Her weight is about seven and a quarter ounces. Her height is exactly eleven point five inches. Transposing her measurements on a real person would result in impossible measurements: 36-18-38.

In 1997, Barbie’s waist was increased a bit, making her a little more realistic. However, both the Silkstone and Model Muse Barbies which came out a few years later, once again have the tiny waist.

In 1965, Mattel produced a Barbie with bendable legs and eyes that could open and close. In 1967, the Twist and Turn Barbie debuted with a movable body that could twist from the waist. One of the best selling Barbies was the Totally Hair Barbie created in 1992. Available as a blonde or brunette, her luxurious locks reached to her toes.

Today’s Fashionista series shows a modern, with it girl sporting fashions that are fun and totally Barbie.