Barbie Doll History
By Karly Cox & Sierra Summers
Where It All Began
- In the Summer of 1959, Ruth Handler invented the first Barbie doll. Little did she know this simple toy would become a national beauty icon for kids all over the world. Ruth Handler got the idea to make the Barbie when she saw her daughter playing with paper dolls and noticed that she only acted out what she wanted her future to be. She decided to make her a three dimensional doll that she could use to act out her dreams and future goals. Ruth thought that, because the doll was her in the future, she should have the features of a teenager. The first Barbie had the career of a teenage fashion model. Barbie was the first doll in America with an adult body.
Anastasiya Shpagina
The 19 year old Ukranian girl has not mentioned how much she spends on getting her anime inspired look but that it takes hours of tedious work to get a flawless look.
Justin Jedlica
From New York City, this 32 year old went through a total of 90 plastic surgeries with a total cost of about 100,000 dollars. He mentioned in an interview that although his body has a dangerous level of silicone, he is just happy to be perfect.
Valeria Lukyanova
Valeria Lukyanove is 24 years old and has spent a total of 15,000 dollars in reconstructive surgery. She has become Russia's most famous woman and is now a media sensation. " I won't deny that I play along with people's perceptions. I'm amused by the reactions. I don't take it seriously."
The Big Idea
There are many pressure growing up, and being beautiful is one of them. In 1965, toy companies released the Slumber Party Barbie that came with instructions on how to be skinny and beautiful. The toy set came with a set scale of 110 pounds and a book that read, "How To Lose Weight" on the cover and one instruction inside, "Don't Eat!" The toy set was recalled for it's controversial meaning and was later remade into the Barbie Pajama Doll which came with healthier alternatives like face cleanser, hairbrush, and a cup of hot cocoa. Media has put a spin on what people should look like, dress like, and even act like. Statistics have proven Anorexia is the 3rd most common chronic illness among adolescents. Fifty percent of girls between the ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight. The mortality rate associated with anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate of ALL causes of death for females 15 – 24 years old. There are so many things for people to worry about in life and appearance shouldn't be at the top.