Barbie Dolls--History Of A Phenomenon - By: John Mowatt

In 1959 the first Barbie doll was shown at the New York toy fair. Billed as "New For '59,The Barbie Doll:A Shapely Teenage Fashion Model Price $3.00." Thus was born the Barbie doll phenomenon which is certainly one of the greatest success stories in toy manufacturing. Prior to Barbie nearly all children's dolls were child dolls rather than adult figures. Barbie changed all this.

In 1945 Elliot and Ruth Handler formed a partnership with Harold Matson to manufacture picture frames. The two names Matson and Elliot were combined to form the company name Mattel. Elliot started making doll house furniture out of the picture frame scraps of wood. This was the start of the Handler furniture business.

About this time Ruth noticed that her daughter Barbara and friends preferred to play with adult paper dolls rather than child or baby dolls. The little girls seemed to like a doll they could look to as a role model for when they were grown up. Ruth realised that there could be big commercial possibilities in the adult doll market. She discussed the idea with her husband but he felt that it would be too expensive to start making the dolls.

Soon after this Ruth made a trip to Germany and purchased a doll called Lilli. This adult type doll was based on a German comic strip. On returning to the USA she began work to redesign the doll working with a doll clothes designer. Soon the Barbie doll was born and was named after Ruth's daughter Barbara. The doll was patented by Mattel in 1958 and introduced in 1959. She was to become one of the most well known and well loved toys ever made.

Barbie soon became a collectors doll and was avidly sought after by adult collectors. Between 1959 and 1972 Barbie underwent seven changes in her appearance and design. These Barbies made up to 1972 are recognised as vintage collectible dolls by their fans and are eagerly sought after. A 1959 Barbie in mint condition is worth up to $8000 although you will see them offered for much less at times. Later editions fetch proportionately less. You can generally purchase dolls in the 1969 to 1972 range for just a few dollars. You can still find the odd early doll,even the 1959 rarity,in places like garage sales and flea markets since about 300,000 were made and many are undoubtedly still out there undiscovered.

The first Barbie doll was introduced by Mattel in 1959. Barbie dolls went on to become one of the greatest toy manufacturing successes ever. Barbie was invented by Ruth Handler who adapted her from an earlier German doll called Lilli. She was named after Ruth's daughter Barbara. She was the first mass produced adult styled doll and was an instant success.

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