On March 9, 1959, Barbie debuted at the New York Toy Fair. The first Barbie wore a black and white striped swimsuit and her signature ponytail. Toy buyers were skeptical because Barbie was unlike the baby and toddler dolls that were popular at the time.

Recognizing a gap in the market, which only offered baby dolls for girls to imagine themselves as caregivers, Ruth invented the fashion doll category with a three-dimensional doll that girls could use to imagine their future selves.

The unique doll with silky blond hair made its debut in 1959. Barbie was created by Ruth Handler who co founded the toy company Mattel with her husband. She said she got the idea for the toy after seeing her daughter ignore her baby dolls and instead play with paper dolls of adult women.

Barbie "Brooklyn" Roberts is a character that was introduced in 2021.

Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Barbie was named after Ruth Handler's daughter, Barbara, and Ken after her son, Kenneth. She is from (fictional) Willows, Wisconsin, where she attended high school.

Barbara Millicent Roberts Barbara Millicent "Barbie" Roberts (1959–present): A blonde-haired, blue-eyed doll who was born in the fictional town of Willows, Wisconsin. According to eponymous Random House books published in the 1960s, the character's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.

"Barbie Doll" is a narrative poem written by American writer, novelist, and social activist Marge Piercy. It was published in 1971, during the time of second-wave feminism. It is often noted for its message of how a patriarchal society puts expectations and pressures on women, partly through gender role stereotyping.

Ancient Dolls The first documented dolls which look something like what we know today, are the dolls of ancient Japan. The Hina, Daruma and Kokeshi dolls date back to 8000 BC and were an important part of Japanese culture. Used as lucky charms, religious icons and childhood toys, dolls have a long history in Japan.

Barbie officially debuted on March 9, 1959, at the American International Toy Fair in New York City as a creation of Mattel, Inc.'s Ruth Handler. Handler got her inspiration from the German Lilli doll in 1956, and development of the Barbie doll began soon after. Barbie was first sold in 1958.

Whilst Barbie is not based on a real person, she is named after Handler's daughter, Barbara, with the doll's full name being Barbara Millicent Roberts. The inspiration behind the doll makes a quick cameo in the Barbie movie, starring alongside Robbie in a sentimental nod to her mother's creation.

Barbie Roberts Barbie Roberts, also known as Brooklyn, is a major character in the Barbie franchise. She is one of the main protagonists in the 2021 computer-animated Barbie film, Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams, and the 2022 TV serial, It Takes Two.

Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts Doll (11.5-in, Brunette with Braids) & Music Studio Playset with Keyboard & Accessories, Gift for 3 to 7 Year Olds.

Barbie's design was modeled after the Bild Lilli doll, which was created in the image of a German comic strip character. Lilli was initially marketed toward adults, eventually becoming popular among children who enjoyed dressing up the doll.

Dolls dating from 3000–2000 bc, carved of flat pieces of wood, geometrically painted, with long, flowing hair made of strings of clay or wood beads, have been found in some Egyptian graves. Some ancient dolls may have had religious meaning, and some authorities often argue that the religious doll preceded the toy.

The first Barbie doll was introduced in both blonde and brunette on March 9, 1959. Upon her return to the United States, Handler redesigned the doll (with help from local inventor-designer Jack Ryan) and the doll was given a new name, Barbie, after Handler's daughter Barbara.

It's not just the organic nostalgia and universality around “Barbie” that contributed to its rocketing success - it was a savvy marketing campaign. From the get-go, it was clear it would be the summer of pink as several brands collaborated with “Barbie” and ads flooded social media.