60 years of Barbie infographic
Graphic shows Barbie timeline and selected dolls.
GN38822EN

TOYS

Barbie doll celebrates 60th anniversary

By Mike Tyler

March 9, 2019 - Barbie, the creation of Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler, who named the fashion doll after her daughter Barbara, continues to be one of the world’s most popular toys 60 years after first going on sale.

More than 1 billion Barbie dolls have been sold since she made her debut at the American Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. Eleven inches tall and with a waterfall of blond hair, Barbie has worked her way through more than 200 careers. They include doctor, pilot, astronaut, naval officer, Olympic athlete and presidential candidate.

Mattel intended the diverse range of careers to send the message to little girls that they could become anything they wished. “Barbie has always offered girls choices and endless storytelling possibilities,” according to the company.

Despite fierce competition in the toy industry, a total of 58 million Barbies are sold each year in more than 150 countries.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 22/02/2019; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Other
Advertisement