The first Barbie 🌺🌺🌺 Barbie was created by Ruth Handler and launched by Mattel on March 9, 1959, at the American Toy Fair in New York. Inspired by watching her daughter play with paper dolls, Handler sought to create a 3D adult-figured doll, filling a niche for toys that allowed girls to imagine their future careers. Smithsonian Magazine Smithsonian Magazine +3 This video explains the origin story of Barbie: Related video thumbnail 1m L.A. in a Minute YouTube • Aug 12, 2023 Key Origin Facts: Creator: Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel with her husband Elliot. Inspiration: The German "Bild Lilli" doll, a gag gift based on a comic strip character, inspired the design. Name: Named after Handler's daughter, Barbara. Debut: The first doll wore a black-and-white striped swimsuit, had a ponytail, and was available in blonde or brunette. Impact: Barbie was the first mass-produced toy in the U.S. with adult features, shifting play from baby dolls to imaginative adult roles. Initial Reception: Initially, the toy industry was skeptical, but the doll became a massive success