Culture

History of Barbie

On this day in 1959, Mattel’s Barbie made her big debut at the American Toy Fair in New York City. Here are 20 of our favorite Barbies through the years. 

galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-tease_xbsb7o
Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-sports-illustrated_b28axd

On this day in 1959, Mattel’s Barbie made her big debut at the American Toy Fair in New York City. She was the first mass-produced dolls with womanly features. Not unsurprisingly, Barbie was modeled after a sexy pin-up doll named Lilli, that was marketed as a racy men’s gift in Germany. Quickly becoming a household name, Barbie is still one of the most recognized toys and brands around the world.

Over the years, Barbie has morphed into thousands of variations—including her friend Midge, little sister Skipper, African-American friend Christie, boyfriend Ken, and dozens of collector dolls modeled after famous people. Here are 20 of our favorite Barbies through the years. 

Here, Sports Illustrated Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-julia_xtqvwy

"Julia" Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-cambodian_ldeekh

Cambodian Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-south-african_un1yvj

South African Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-wonder-woman_nlayti

Wonder Woman Barbie

MAttel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-mad-men_jhmd6h

Mad Men Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-producer_hhefrt

Producer Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-warhol_ofmsvc

Andy Warhol Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-byron-lars_jmjuuf

Byron Lars Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-aerobics_entp1g

Aerobics instructor Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-rapper_zja7b7

Rapper Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-farrah_ulzcql

Farrah Fawcett Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-pregnant-midge_hzi7ko

Pregnant Midge Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-lord-of-rings_ji2jd7

Lord of the Rings Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-birds_xcqj4d

"The Birds" Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-ava-duvernay_ktntml

Ava DuVernay Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-cher_y1mbjj

Cher Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-lagerfeld_gyovqw

Karl Lagerfeld Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-pilot_pp2bpp

President Barbie

Mattel
galleries/2016/03/14/history-of-barbie/160309-barbie-gallery-president_hwshub

President Barbie

Mattel

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.