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Happy 50th Birthday Barbie
If you are reading this, chances are good that at some time in your life you have played with or bought a Barbie doll. Millions of us have dressed and fantasized with these little beauties for the last fifty years. Here are a few interesting facts to help you celebrate her big day:
- Barbie, introduced in 1959, was the dream doll conceived by Ruth Handler, wife of the cofounder of Mattel.
- Her full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.
- She is named after Ruth Handler's daughter.
- Barbie has four sisters: Skipper, Stacie, Kelly, and Krissy.
- Ken was introduced in 1961 and is named after the Handler's son.
- Barbie and Ken broke up on February 14, 2001 after forty years. (I never did like him anyway)
- Andy Warhol was commissioned in 1986 to do a portrait of Barbie.
- Barbie is from the fictional town of Willow, Wisconsin. (That explains the accent)
- Teacher Barbie, introduced in 1989, was met with controversy because she wasn't wearing any panties (an oversight, I'm sure)
- Francie, introduced in 1967, was the first African American Barbie.
- A Barbie sporting a nose ring and ankle tattoo was introduced in 1999. She was not a hit. (duh)
- And finally, if you owned one of the original $3.00 1959 Barbies in mint condition you would have a doll worth over $27,000.00!!!
I just couldn't let this icon who has meant so much to so many of us go by without recognition!! Happy Birthday and happy memories!!
I so remember trying to make Barbie clothes for my daughters dolls. What a pain. Finally gave up and just bought them even if they were expensive. Great post. Hugs, Marty BTW great information also, I didn't know all of that.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, thanks for stopping by my blog!
ReplyDeleteI love those Barbie facts! I guess there's just a lot about her that I didn't know-she certainly is an icon isn't she?
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteBarbie is certainly an icon! My daughter didn't really care for them, so I know we won't find one worth much. LOL
Oh yes. Barbie was the last doll I played with. I have heard some of the info you told us about but not all. I did not know about the nose ring/ tatooed Barbie! lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit on 47th Street today. I'm glad you liked my dining room. Do come again!
Donna
Oh, Susan, thanks for this great post! I love my Barbies! I had quite a few and Ken and Midge and later on, Skipper! We really couldn't afford buying the clothes when I was little, so my mother made some of the cutest little clothes. When my daughter was little she had Barbies too and each Christmas I would make doll clothes for her!
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Ohhh...I just missed out on Barbie! My little sister had one. I would slip and play with hers, but wouldn't let my mom buy me one...too big!! lol...Debbie
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteI loved Barbie! I have a large curio cabinet with many collector's Barbie dolls. It's still at my Mom's, because there is no room for it in my house :(
Unfortunately Barbie came along after my doll days were over, but my younger sister had lots of Barbies.
ReplyDeleteSusan, Thanks for your sweet comment. I didn't know half of this Barbie info. I am however, older than Barbie and do have an original with black ponytail and striped swimsuit. She is in nowhere near good condition though. I think I'll just hang on to her for all the fond memories. The best part was all the cute outfits and accessories. Unfortunately my daughter did not get into dolls at all. I started out buying her all kinds of Barbie goodies but they pretty much went untouched. (I think I liked buying them more than she liked playing with them.) Too bad I played with my own Barbies, I could have used that $27,000.00! Tee Hee,Pam
ReplyDeleteBTW Welcome to blogland. It is sooo much fun, Pam
ReplyDelete