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.

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.

Features: The first Barbie doll wore a black and white zebra striped swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail, and was available as either a blonde or brunette. The doll was marketed as a "Teen-age Fashion Model," with her clothes created by Mattel fashion designer Charlotte Johnson.

Mattel bought the rights to Lilli and made their own version: Barbie. The first Barbie was introduced on March 9, 1959 – now considered Barbie's official birthday. The doll was first launched at the American Toy Fair in New York City.

Totally Hair Barbie And, according to the Guinness Book of World Records: The best-selling Barbie doll is Totally Hair Barbie, released in 1992. Totally Hair Barbie has sold more than 10 million dolls worldwide.

From a pregnant doll to a dog named Sugar, here are some of Mattel's most infamous discontinued dolls.

• 'Happy Family' Midge. Midge and her happy family.
• Earring Magic Ken. For a second there, Ken was "everything." Mattel.
• Palm Beach Sugar Daddy Ken. This Ken was marketed for adults.
• Growing Up Skipper.
• Video Girl Barbie.

Ruth discloses that Barbie was named after her daughter Barbara, emphasizing the mother-daughter dynamic permeating the plot. And she also pokes fun at her own faults, briefly quipping about her bouts with tax evasion, which ultimately led to her resignation from the company in 1974.

The original Barbie appeared in toy stores in 1959. She wore a black-and-white bathing suit with her blond hair in a ponytail. It would take Mattel one decade to introduce what many deem the first Black Barbie, Christie. Recently, Mattel released Christie reimagined for her 55th anniversary.

Released all the way back in 1959, the very first Barbie doll was marketed as a “teenage fashion model.” Her signature cardboard box featured illustrations of the doll wearing an array of stylish outfits including ball gowns, tutus, sack dresses, hoodies, and swing coats.

Carol Spencer Carol Spencer began working as a designer for Mattel in 1963, where she spent 35 years designing clothes for Barbie dolls before retiring in 1998. Now 90 years old, she has hundreds of dolls whose outfits she designed that she is slowly selling off.

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.

Barbie's creation was inspired by the mid-Century German fashion doll, Bild Lilli. Handler observed European children's penchant for the adult-like figurine, and decided to create her own 'woman' doll for American children.

The best picks for the dolls themselves are the movie tie-in Barbie (as she's perfect as both a collector's item as well as a toy for children who have seen and loved the Barbie movie), the Totally Hair Barbie with her host of accessories and the gimmick of being able to style her long hair, and the Made To Move ...

Website helps doll owners navigate potential value

1 Original Release Barbie Doll While she may not have the highest sale price, or a gown made of diamonds, or a limited run, the original 1959 Barbie doll from when the icon we know and love now first debuted is one of the rarest Barbies in the world.

What is the release date for 'Barbie' movie 2023? “Barbie” will be released July 21 in theaters.