Barbie Doll
by: Neff Clark & Ashley Serna
Barbie was invented by Ruth Handler in 1959
handler was influenced to create Barbie after watching her daughters play with paper dolls. an estimated 300,000 dolls where sold in the first week . Barbie was the first doll sold for $3 with clothes varying from 1-5 dollars.
This is a Bild Lilli Doll from Germany, Ruth Handlers inspiration for Barbie
The first Barbie was sold as a Bloned or burnette
Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts
the evolution of Barbie
what factors in American society led to the creation and rise in popularity of Barbie?
During the 1950's the size 12 figure, and the Marylin Menroe inspired hairstyles where a must for growing girls across the country. Young girls throughout the us having to play with bland paper dolls, that constantly teared. When Barbie came out it gave the young girls an ouportunity to roleplay as someone else, someone they wish they could be. everyone in the 1950's wanted what everyone else did Barbie being in high demand.
how did Barbie change American society?
Barbie changed society in many ways, body image being a major factor. Barbie gave your girls across the country the hope they could have the impractical body size and shape of Barbie. If Barbie where the size of a human shed be 5'9" tall, have a 39" bust, an 18" waist, 33" hips and a size 3 shoe. her body mass index being placed in an anorexic level. every young women's dream was to look like Barbie, perfect hair, makeup, and body, yet it would be archived. another reason Barbie changed society was because it gave young girls that idea that they could be in control of thier futures, and no longer have to grow up and be the average house wife
an actual life size Barbie.
why do you feel Barbie was a turning point in American life?
i feel Barbie was a turning point in American society because it showed how people where being influenced on how they looked, and how everyone wanted what everyone else looked like, and had. Another reason Barbie was a turning point in American society was because she encouraged young people to be what they want to be, instead of growing up to be the average house wife. in later years another controversial issue came up when barbie s boyfriend was created. ken brought the issue that kids where maturing much faster, making kids want to "experiment" with the opposite sex at a much younger age with them leaving there imaginary love life with the dolls kissing.