History of Barbie in Timeline
"Barbie" is a globally recognized fashion doll brand launched in 1959 by Mattel, conceived by Ruth Handler. Inspired by the German "Bild Lilli" doll, Barbie evolved into a massive commercial success, selling over a billion units and becoming Mattel's top-performing product line. Beyond dolls and accessories, the "Barbie" brand expanded into a multifaceted media franchise encompassing video games, animated and live-action films, and television/web series.
1955: Bild Lilli Doll Launch
The Bild Lilli doll, the inspiration for Barbie, was first sold in West Germany in 1955.
1956: Ruth Handler Discovers Bild Lilli
During a trip to Europe in 1956, Ruth Handler discovered the German Bild Lilli doll, which inspired the creation of Barbie.
March 9, 1959: Barbie's Debut
On March 9, 1959, the Barbie doll, created by Ruth Handler and manufactured by Mattel, was introduced to the world.
1959: Original Barbie release
The original Barbie doll was released in 1959 and sold for $3.00. This doll has become highly valuable among collectors.
March 1961: Louis Marx and Company Sues Mattel
In March 1961, Louis Marx and Company filed a lawsuit against Mattel, alleging patent infringement and copying of the Bild Lilli doll.
1961: Ken's First Appearance
Ken, whose full name is Kenneth Sean Carson, made his debut as Barbie's boyfriend in 1961.
1963: Controversial Barbie book
In 1963, the 'Barbie Baby-Sits' outfit came with a book titled 'How to Lose Weight' which advised 'Don't eat!'
1963: Out-of-Court Settlement
The legal dispute between Mattel and Louis Marx and Company regarding Barbie's resemblance to Bild Lilli was settled out of court in 1963.
1964: Mattel Acquires Bild Lilli Rights
Mattel purchased the copyright and patent rights for the Bild-Lilli doll in 1964 for $21,600, solidifying Barbie's legal standing.
1965: Barbie in Midnight Red
The Barbie in Midnight Red from 1965 is one of the most valuable vintage Barbies, as evidenced by its world auction record in 2006.
1965: Controversial Barbie accessories
In 1965, the 'Slumber Party' ensemble included the same controversial weight loss book along with a bathroom scale permanently set at 110 pounds.
1965: Miss Astronaut Barbie
In 1965, "Miss Astronaut Barbie" was introduced, showcasing Barbie's ambition to explore space.
1967: "Colored Francie" Debuts
"Colored Francie" was introduced in 1967, often considered a precursor to the first African-American Barbie doll.
1968: Christie: The First African-American Barbie Doll
Christie, debuting in 1968, is widely regarded as the first true African-American doll in the Barbie line.
1971: Barbie's Eyes Change
Barbie's appearance underwent a significant change in 1971 when her eyes were adjusted to look forward, departing from the sideways glance of the original model.
1974: Barbie Boulevard
In 1974, a section of Times Square in New York City was temporarily renamed "Barbie Boulevard" for a week, in honor of the iconic doll.
1980: Introduction of Hispanic Barbie dolls
In 1980, Mattel began producing Hispanic Barbie dolls. This was part of an effort to diversify the Barbie line by including dolls from various ethnic backgrounds.
1980: Black Barbie Introduced
Mattel released "Black Barbie" in 1980, although it retained Caucasian features.
1984: Barbie Enters Video Games
Barbie made her debut in the world of video games in 1984 with the release of two eponymous titles, marking her expansion into interactive media.
1984: Barbie Goes Multimedia
In 1984, the Barbie brand expanded into a multimedia franchise, encompassing video games, animated films, and television/web series.
1986: Andy Warhol Paints Barbie
In 1986, renowned artist Andy Warhol completed a painting of Barbie. This artwork was later sold at a Christie's auction in London for $1.1 million.
1987: "Barbie and the Rockers" Television Specials
Barbie's presence on television expanded in 1987 with the release of two syndicated specials: "Barbie and the Rockers: Out of This World" and its sequel.
1988: Doctor Barbie
Barbie entered the medical field in 1988 with the introduction of "Doctor Barbie," inspiring young girls to consider careers in healthcare.
1990: Mattel Collaborates with African-American Community for Doll Development
Mattel engaged in focus groups with African-American communities in 1990 to create more authentic representations of African-American people in their dolls. This led to changes in facial features, skin tones, and hair textures.
1991: Second Barbie Video Game Release
Following the success of her first video game in 1984, a second Barbie video game was released in 1991.
July 1992: Teen Talk Barbie Released
In July 1992, Mattel released Teen Talk Barbie, a doll that could say a variety of phrases. However, the phrase "Math class is tough!" spoken by some of the dolls sparked controversy.
October 1992: Mattel Responds to "Math Class is Tough" Criticism
Following criticism from the American Association of University Women regarding Teen Talk Barbie's phrase "Math class is tough!" Mattel announced in October 1992 that the phrase would be removed. They offered a swap to owners of dolls that had the controversial phrase.
May 1997: Share a Smile Becky
In May 1997, Mattel introduced Share a Smile Becky, a doll in a wheelchair. This led to plans to redesign Barbie's Dream House to accommodate the doll.
1997: Oreo Barbie controversy
In 1997, Mattel launched a cross-promotion Barbie doll with Oreo cookies, but only in a white version. This drew criticism for lack of diversity.
1997: Barbie's redesigned body mold
In 1997, Mattel redesigned Barbie's body mold, giving her a wider waist to better suit contemporary fashion designs.
1998: Nascar Barbie
Breaking gender stereotypes, "Nascar Barbie" made her debut in 1998, showcasing Barbie's passion for motorsports.
1999: Generation Girl Books
In the Generation Girl book series published by Golden Books in 1999, Barbie's educational journey continued as she attended the fictional Manhattan International High School in New York City, inspired by the real-life Stuyvesant High School.
May 2001: Launch of Bratz dolls
In May 2001, MGA Entertainment introduced the Bratz series of dolls, marking the first serious competition for Barbie in the fashion doll market.
2001: Oreo Barbie controversy revisited
In 2001, Mattel released both a white and black version of the Oreo Barbie, but faced backlash as 'Oreo' is a derogatory term in the African American community.
2001: "Barbie in the Nutcracker" Direct-to-Video Debut
Barbie's foray into direct-to-video animated films began in 2001 with the release of "Barbie in the Nutcracker," which also aired as promotional specials on Nickelodeon in the United States.
March 2002: Sara and Dara Dolls Launched in Iran
The Sara and Dara dolls, intended as alternatives to Barbie, were launched in Iran in March 2002, aiming to reflect local cultural sensitivities.
2002: Pregnant Midge Doll Controversy
Mattel's introduction of a pregnant Midge doll in 2002 drew criticism and was quickly pulled from the market. Although Midge was intended to be a married adult, some perceived the doll as promoting teen pregnancy.
September 2003: Saudi Arabia Bans Barbie Dolls
Saudi Arabia banned the sale of Barbie dolls in September 2003, citing conflicts with Islamic values.
November 2003: Fulla Doll Introduced
An alternative doll called Fulla, designed to align with Islamic values, was introduced in November 2003 in some Muslim-majority countries as an alternative to Barbie.
February 2004: Barbie and Ken Break Up
Mattel announced in February 2004 that Barbie and Ken had decided to end their romantic relationship.
October 2004: High auction price for vintage Barbie
In October 2004, a mint boxed Barbie from 1959 sold for $3552.50 on eBay, highlighting the value of vintage Barbie dolls.
2004: Barbie's Friendship with Blaine
During her separation from Ken in 2004, Barbie formed a friendship with Blaine, an Australian surfer, adding a new dimension to her social circle.
2004: Introduction of Color Tier system
In 2004, Mattel introduced the Color Tier system for collector's edition Barbie dolls, categorizing them by rarity with pink, silver, gold, and platinum tiers.
2004: Bratz outsell Barbie in the UK
In 2004, sales figures showed that Bratz dolls were outselling Barbie dolls in the United Kingdom, although Barbie remained the leading brand in overall sales.
2005: Decline in Barbie sales
In 2005, sales of Barbie dolls fell by 30% in the United States and 18% worldwide, largely due to the popularity of Bratz dolls.
February 2006: Barbie and Ken Rekindle Romance
Following their split in 2004, there was hope for Barbie and Ken to rekindle their romance in February 2006 after Ken underwent a makeover.
September 26, 2006: Barbie sets auction record
On September 26, 2006, a Barbie doll set a world auction record of £9,000 ($17,000) at Christie's in London. The doll was a Barbie in Midnight Red from 1965.
December 2006: Mattel sues MGA Entertainment
In December 2006, Mattel sued MGA Entertainment for $1 billion, alleging that Bratz creator Carter Bryant was working for Mattel when he developed the idea for Bratz.
2006: Barbie Sales Milestone
In 2006, it was estimated that over a billion Barbie dolls had been sold globally, with Mattel reporting sales of three Barbie dolls every second.
2006: Researchers Study Barbie's Impact on Self-Image
In 2006, a study conducted by Dittmar, Halliwell, and Ive explored the effects of Barbie on young girls' self-image. They found that girls exposed to images of Barbie had lower self-esteem compared to those who saw images of Emme, a doll with more realistic features. Notably, the study also revealed that a girl's age played a significant role in how much influence the dolls had on their self-esteem.
2007: Cinco de Mayo Barbie
In 2007, Mattel introduced the 'Cinco de Mayo Barbie,' which featured a ruffled red, white, and green dress inspired by the Mexican flag.
July 17, 2008: Jury rules in favor of Mattel
On July 17, 2008, a federal jury ruled that the Bratz line was created by Carter Bryant while he was working for Mattel, making MGA liable for damages.
December 3, 2008: Judge bans MGA from selling Bratz
On December 3, 2008, U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson banned MGA from selling Bratz, although a stay was later granted on appeal.
August 2009: Launch of Moxie Girlz
In August 2009, MGA Entertainment introduced Moxie Girlz dolls, intended as a replacement for Bratz dolls.
September 2009: So In Style Range Debuts
Mattel's "So In Style" range, launched in September 2009, aimed for a more realistic portrayal of African-American people in the Barbie line.
2009: Barbie's 50th Birthday Celebration
Barbie's 50th birthday was celebrated in 2009 with various events, including a fashion show during New York Fashion Week. Fifty renowned designers, such as Diane von Fürstenberg, Vera Wang, and Calvin Klein, contributed designs.
January 18, 2011: Court battle resumes
On January 18, 2011, Mattel Inc. and MGA Entertainment Inc. returned to court over the ownership of Bratz dolls, with both sides accusing each other of stealing trade secrets.
April 21, 2011: Jury supports MGA
On April 21, 2011, a federal jury returned a verdict supporting MGA in the ongoing legal battle over the Bratz dolls.
August 5, 2011: Mattel ordered to pay MGA
On August 5, 2011, Mattel was ordered to pay MGA $310 million for attorney fees, stealing trade secrets, and false claims.
2011: Ken Wins Barbie Back
In 2011, Mattel launched a campaign to help Ken win back Barbie's affections, and the couple officially reunited on Valentine's Day of that year.
2011: Kelly Becomes Chelsea
In 2011, Barbie's younger sister Kelly underwent a name change and became known as Chelsea.
2012: Expansion into Television and Web Series
Barbie's presence expanded into various television and web series beginning in 2012, including "Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse," "Barbie: Dreamtopia," "Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures," "Barbie: It Takes Two," and "Barbie: A Touch of Magic."
February 26, 2013: "Barbie in the Pink Shoes" Release
By the time "Barbie in the Pink Shoes" premiered on February 26, 2013, the Barbie film series had sold over 110 million units worldwide.
2013: "Magical Universe" Documentary
"Magical Universe," a feature-length documentary about outsider artist Al Carbee, premiered in 2013. Carbee was known for his extensive work featuring Barbie dolls in his art.
2013: "Barbie & Her Sisters in A Pony Tale" Released
Barbie's sisters took center stage in the 2013 film "Barbie & Her Sisters in A Pony Tale," marking a significant moment in their shared cinematic journey.
2013: First "Barbie Café" Opens
The world's first Barbie-themed restaurant, "Barbie Café," opened in Taiwan in 2013, operated by the Sinlaku group.
November 2014: "I Can Be a Computer Engineer" Book Stirs Controversy
Mattel faced criticism in November 2014 over the book "I Can Be a Computer Engineer." Critics found the portrayal of Barbie needing male assistance in computer tasks to be sexist. Mattel subsequently pulled the book from sale and later released a "Computer Engineer Barbie" doll focusing on game programming.
2014: Start of Barbie Sales Decline
Barbie doll sales experienced a significant decline between 2014 and 2016.
2015: Barbie Becomes a Vlogger
Barbie entered the world of social media in 2015 as a vlogger on YouTube, where she shares her thoughts on fashion, friends, family, and important topics such as mental health and racism.
2015: Andy Warhol Barbie
The Andy Warhol Foundation collaborated with Mattel in 2015 to release a special edition Andy Warhol Barbie doll.
2016: Mattel Introduces New Body Types for Barbie
In 2016, Mattel released a line of Barbie Fashionistas dolls that featured three new body types: "tall," "petite," and "curvy." The "curvy Barbie" was particularly noteworthy, receiving significant media attention and even being featured on the cover of Time magazine. However, despite having measurements equivalent to a US size 4, some children still perceived the doll as "fat."
2016: Barbie Exhibit at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, located at the Louvre, held a Barbie exhibit in 2016. The exhibit showcased 700 Barbie dolls, artwork, and historical documents related to Barbie, spread across two floors.
2016: Al Carbee's Barbie Art Featured in Paris Exhibit
Al Carbee's Barbie-themed collage artwork was featured in the 2016 Barbie exhibit at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. The exhibit highlighted artists inspired by Barbie.
2016: Expansion of So In Style line
In 2016, Mattel expanded its So In Style line to include seven skin tones, twenty-two eye colors, and twenty-four hairstyles, partly in response to declining sales and criticism for lack of diversity.
2016: End of Barbie Sales Decline
Barbie doll sales experienced a significant decline between 2014 and 2016.
2017: Shift to Streaming Platforms
In 2017, the Barbie film series shifted its focus to streaming media services, primarily Netflix, with animated "specials" designed for streaming audiences.
March 2018: Barbie Celebrates Role Models campaign
In March 2018, Mattel launched the 'Barbie Celebrates Role Models' campaign with 17 dolls representing extraordinary women from diverse backgrounds.
2018: Shift in Barbie and Ken's Relationship
Starting with "Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures" in 2018, Barbie and Ken's relationship transitioned to that of friends or next-door neighbors, marking a departure from their previous romantic involvement.
2019: Launch of La Catrina line
In 2019, Mattel launched the La Catrina line of collectible Barbie dolls.
2019: Barbie Dream Gap Project Launches
Mattel launched the "Barbie Dream Gap Project" in 2019 to address the gender gap in career aspirations. The project raises awareness about the "dream gap" phenomenon, where girls, starting around age five, begin to doubt their abilities more than boys.
May 2020: Barbie Honors Essential Workers
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mattel introduced a line of career dolls in May 2020 that honored first responders and essential workers. For each doll sold, Mattel donated a doll to the First Responders Children's Foundation.
2020: New release of 'shero' dolls
In 2020, Mattel announced a new release of 'shero' dolls, including Paralympic champion Madison de Rozario and world sabre champion Olga Kharlan.
2020: Dia De Los Muertos Barbie
In 2020, Mattel released the Dia De Los Muertos Barbie doll, the second collectible in the company's La Catrina line.
January 2021: Barbie Still Available in Some Muslim-Majority Countries
As of January 2021, Barbie dolls continued to be available in certain Muslim-majority nations, including Egypt and Indonesia, despite earlier bans in some countries.
July 2021: Naomi Osaka Barbie
In July 2021, Mattel released a Naomi Osaka Barbie doll as part of the 'Barbie Role Model' series.
August 2021: Samantha Cristoforetti Barbie
In August 2021, Mattel released a Barbie modeled after European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti.
September 7, 2021: Barbie Promotes Music Production for Girls
On September 7, 2021, after the debut of the film "Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams," Barbie partnered with Ester Dean and Girls Make Beats to encourage girls to explore careers in music production.
February 2022: Mattel Partners with Habitat for Humanity
Mattel celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Barbie Dreamhouse in February 2022 by partnering with Habitat for Humanity International. Mattel pledged to support 60 Habitat projects, including home construction and community revitalization efforts.
July 21, 2023: Live-Action "Barbie" Movie Release
On July 21, 2023, Warner Bros. Pictures released a live-action adaptation of "Barbie" in the United States, starring Australian actress Margot Robbie.
2023: Brief Return to Pre-2018 Relationship Dynamics
In a nostalgic turn, the 2023 television show "Barbie: A Touch of Magic" briefly revived the pre-2018 relationship dynamics between Barbie and Ken.
2023: Groundbreaking for Mattel Theme Park
Mattel began construction on a theme park near Phoenix, Arizona, in 2023. The park will feature attractions based on Mattel toys, including Barbie.
2023: "Barbie" Movie Release and "Barbiecore" Trend
The release of the "Barbie" movie in 2023 is anticipated to boost the brand's growth until at least 2030. The film's release coincided with the emergence of the "Barbiecore" fashion trend and the "Barbenheimer" cultural phenomenon.
2024: Mattel Theme Park Set to Open
The Mattel theme park near Phoenix, Arizona, is scheduled to open in 2024. It will feature attractions based on various Mattel brands, such as Barbie, Thomas & Friends, and Hot Wheels.
2030: Projected Continued Growth for Barbie
The release of the "Barbie" movie in 2023 is anticipated to boost the brand's growth until at least 2030.