History of Barbie in Timeline

Barbie is a fashion doll created by Ruth Handler and manufactured by Mattel, introduced in 1959. Based on the German Bild Lilli doll, Barbie became the figurehead of a multimedia franchise with sales exceeding a billion dolls. The Barbie brand expanded into video games, animated films, television series, and a live-action film.

1959: Original Barbie sold

In 1959, the original Barbie was sold for $3.00.

1963: "Barbie Baby-Sits" outfit released

In 1963, the outfit "Barbie Baby-Sits" came with a book titled How to Lose Weight which advised: "Don't eat!"

1965: Barbie in Midnight Red

In 1965 the Barbie in Midnight Red was released as a part of a private collection of 4,000 Barbie dolls being sold by two Dutch women, Ietje Raebel and her daughter Marina.

1965: "Slumber Party" ensemble released

In 1965, the "Slumber Party" ensemble was released, including the book How to Lose Weight and a pink bathroom scale permanently set at 110 pounds (50 kg).

1967: Colored Francie Debuts

In 1967, "Colored Francie" debuted, and she is sometimes described as the first African-American Barbie doll. However, she was produced using the existing head molds for the white Francie doll and lacked distinct African characteristics other than dark skin.

1968: Christie Doll Debuts

In 1968, Christie made her debut and is usually regarded as the first African-American doll in the Barbie range.

1980: Black Barbie Launched

In 1980, Black Barbie was launched, but still had Caucasian features.

1980: Hispanic dolls produced

Starting in 1980, Mattel produced Hispanic dolls and later came models from across the globe.

1990: Mattel created focus group with African-American children and parents

In 1990, Mattel created a focus group with African-American children and parents, early childhood specialists, and clinical psychologist, Darlene Powell Hudson. Instead of using the same molds for the Caucasian Barbies, new ones were created. In addition, facial features, skin tones, hair texture, and names were all altered.

May 1997: Share a Smile Becky Introduced

In May 1997, Mattel introduced Share a Smile Becky, a doll in a pink wheelchair. It was pointed out that the doll would not fit into the elevator of Barbie's $100 Dream House. Mattel announced that it would redesign the house in the future to accommodate the doll.

1997: Barbie's body mold redesigned

In 1997, Barbie's body mold was redesigned with a wider waist, intended to better suit contemporary fashion designs.

1997: Cross-promotion Barbie doll with Oreo cookies launched

In 1997, Mattel teamed up with Nabisco to launch a cross-promotion Barbie doll with Oreo cookies, the doll was only released in a white version.

May 2001: Bratz series of dolls launched

In May 2001, MGA Entertainment launched the Bratz series of dolls, providing Barbie with her first serious competition in the fashion doll market.

2001: Barbie Oreo School Time Fun released

In 2001, Mattel released both a white and black version of the Barbie Oreo School Time Fun. Critics argued that in the African American community, Oreo is a derogatory term.

March 2002: Sara and Dara dolls introduced

In March 2002, the Sara and Dara dolls were introduced in Iran as an alternative to Barbie.

September 2003: Saudi Arabia outlaws Barbie

In September 2003, Saudi Arabia temporarily outlawed the sale of Barbie dolls, citing that they did not conform to Islamic ideals.

November 2003: Fulla Doll introduced

In November 2003, Fulla, an alternative doll designed to represent traditional Islamic values, was introduced in Muslim-majority nations as an equivalent to Barbie. Mattel still licenses Fulla dolls and franchises for sale in certain markets.

October 2004: Mint boxed Barbie sold for $3552.50 on eBay

In October 2004, a mint boxed Barbie from 1959 sold for $3552.50 on eBay.

2004: Color Tier system introduced

In 2004, Mattel introduced the Color Tier system for its collector's edition Barbie dolls including pink, silver, gold, and platinum, depending on how many of the dolls are produced.

2004: Bratz dolls outselling Barbie dolls in the United Kingdom

In 2004, sales figures showed that Bratz dolls were outselling Barbie dolls in the United Kingdom, although Mattel maintained that Barbie remained the leading brand in terms of total sales.

2005: Sales of Barbie dolls decline

In 2005, figures showed that sales of Barbie dolls had fallen by 30% in the United States and by 18% worldwide, with the drop largely attributed to the popularity of Bratz dolls.

September 26, 2006: Barbie doll sets world record at auction

On September 26, 2006, a Barbie doll set a world record at auction of £9,000 sterling (US$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: Research on dolls and self-image conducted

In 2006, researchers Helga Dittmar, Emma Halliwell, and Suzanne Ive conducted an experiment testing how dolls, including Barbie, affect self-image in young girls. Research found that the girls who were exposed to the images of Barbie had significantly lower self-esteem.

2007: "Cinco de Mayo Barbie" Introduced

In 2007, Mattel introduced "Cinco de Mayo Barbie" wearing a ruffled red, white, and green dress echoing the Mexican flag.

July 17, 2008: Federal jury sides with Mattel in Bratz lawsuit

On July 17, 2008, a federal jury agreed that the Bratz line was created by Carter Bryant while he was working for Mattel and that MGA and its CEO were liable.

December 3, 2008: MGA banned from selling Bratz

On December 3, 2008, U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson banned MGA from selling Bratz, allowing sales to continue until the end of the winter holiday season.

August 2009: Moxie Girlz range of dolls introduced

In August 2009, MGA introduced a range of dolls called Moxie Girlz, intended as a replacement for Bratz dolls.

September 2009: So In Style range introduced

In September 2009, Mattel introduced the So In Style range, intended to create a more realistic depiction of African-American people than previous dolls.

January 18, 2011: Mattel and MGA return to court

On January 18, 2011, Mattel Inc. and MGA Entertainment Inc. returned to court to renew their battle over who owns Bratz, which this time included accusations from both companies that the other side stole trade secrets.

April 21, 2011: Federal jury supports MGA

On April 21, 2011, a federal jury returned a verdict supporting MGA in the legal battle with Mattel.

August 5, 2011: Mattel ordered to pay MGA $310 million

On August 5, 2011, Mattel was ordered to pay MGA $310 million for attorney fees, stealing trade secrets, and false claims.

November 2014: Criticism for 'I Can Be a Computer Engineer' book

In November 2014, Mattel faced criticism for the book I Can Be a Computer Engineer, which portrayed Barbie as incompetent with computers. Mattel later removed the book from sale. A "Computer Engineer Barbie" doll who was a game programmer rather than game designer was released.

2016: Expanded So In Style line

In 2016, Mattel expanded the So In Style line to include seven skin tones, twenty-two eye colors, and twenty-four hairstyles.

2016: New body types introduced

In 2016, Mattel introduced a range of new body types including 'tall', 'petite', and 'curvy', releasing them exclusively as part of the Barbie Fashionistas line. 'Curvy Barbie' received media attention and made the cover of Time magazine.

March 2018: Barbie Celebrates Role Models campaign unveiled

In March 2018, in time for International Women's Day, Mattel unveiled the "Barbie Celebrates Role Models" campaign with a line of 17 dolls known as "sheroes", from diverse backgrounds. Dolls in this collection include Frida Kahlo, Patti Jenkins, Chloe Kim, Nicola Adams, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Bindi Irwin, Amelia Earhart, Misty Copeland, Helene Darroze, Katherine Johnson, Sara Gama, Martyna Wojciechowska, Gabby Douglas, Guan Xiaotong, Ava Duvernay, Yuan Yuan Tan, Iris Apfel, Ashley Graham and Leyla Piedayesh.

2019: La Catrina line launched

In 2019, Mattel launched the La Catrina line of collectible Barbie dolls.

2020: Dia De Los Muertos collectible Barbie doll introduced

In 2020, Mattel introduced the Dia De Los Muertos collectible Barbie doll, the second collectible released as part of the company's La Catrina line.

2020: New release of "shero" dolls announced

In 2020, the company announced a new release of "shero" dolls, including Paralympic champion Madison de Rozario, and world four-time sabre champion Olga Kharlan.

January 2021: Barbie still available in some Muslim-majority countries

As of January 2021, the "Jewish" Barbie brand is still available in other Muslim-majority countries including Egypt and Indonesia.

July 2021: Naomi Osaka Barbie doll released

In July 2021, Mattel released a Naomi Osaka Barbie doll as a part of the 'Barbie Role Model' series. A Julie Bishop doll and Kirby White doll was also released.

August 2021: Samantha Cristoforetti Barbie doll released

In August 2021 a Barbie modelled after European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti was released.

July 2024: First blind Barbie released

In July 2024, Mattel released the first blind Barbie in collaboration with the American Foundation for the Blind and launched a black Barbie with Down syndrome.