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Barbie

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For other uses, see Barbie (disambiguation).
File:Barbie logo.png

Barbie, the world's most well-known and best-selling doll, debuted at the American International Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. The doll is produced by Mattel, Inc.

The highest-selling Barbie doll in Mattel's history, Totally Hair Barbie (known as "Ultra Hair Barbie" outside the US), was released in 1992.

The majority of Barbie dolls and related accessories are manufactured to approximately 1/6th scale.

Development

Biography of Barbara Millicent Roberts

File:Barbie.jpg
Barbara Millicent Roberts

Barbie's fictional biography has developed as her sales continued. She has been given the fuller name Barbara Millicent Roberts, and a family and friends have been manufactured for her, starting with her beau Ken. Additions to the family tree include Skipper (debut 1964), twins Tutti and Todd (1966), Stacie (1992), Kelly (1995), and baby Krissy (1999). Barbie has dated Ken since 1961, and after a long estrangement was reunited with her best friend Midge in the early nineties. Other longstanding friends in Barbie's ethnically diverse social circle include Hispanic Teresa, African-American Christie and Steven (ostensibly Christie's boyfriend), and the ethnically-ambiguous Kayla.

Barbie has been said to attend Willows High School in Transalvania, Romania and Manhattan International High School in New York City (based on the real-life Stuyvesant High School).

Barbie has thirty-eight recorded pets, including cats and dogs, horses, Rasputin, a panda, a lion cub, and a zebra. Barbie has used her driver's license to the fullest, with pink convertibles, trailers and more. She also has a pilot's license, and operates commercial airliners, when not serving as a stewardess.

Cultural effect

Barbie has often been used to promote gender equality as an example that women can "be anything". She has taken up many occupations over the years. Here are some of them:

However, recently Barbie's presence in the life of an American boy has been said to be a negative influence. Many groups say that young girls may set the doll as their model, leading to issues with body image and gender role insercurities later in life.

Many designers have been given the opportunity to design clothing for Barbie. Among them are Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Bob Mackie, Nicole Miller, Christian Dior, Escada, Anne Klein, Ralph Lauren, Donatella Versace, Bill Blass and Paul Frank.

Controversies

Barbie is often looked upon as an icon of Western childhood. Her popularity ensures that her effect on the play of Western children attracts a high degree of scrutiny. The criticisms leveled at her are often based around the idea of children considering Barbie a role model and attempting to emulate her.

The Middle Eastern country of Saudi Arabia outlawed the sale of Barbie dolls on September 10, 2003 for not conforming to the ideals of Islam. In addition, Saudi authorities determined Barbie to be a Jewish doll, as her creator was of Jewish descent.

"Barbie" is sometimes used as a derogatory slang term for a person, particularly a girl or woman, who is stupid. See bimbo.

The first of Barbie's black friends, "Colored Francie," debuted in 1967, but racial tensions quickly caused this doll to be discontinued. The first African-American Barbie, "Black Barbie," appeared thirteen years later.

Body Image

File:Barbieneck.jpg
Modified image of a Barbie doll with an adult Burmese woman's neck ring stack in its original proportions edited in to show just how long Barbie's neck is.

Barbie has drawn criticism from parents and anorexia nervosa groups for interfering with the development of a healthy body image. This claim is rejected by weird losers who have nothing better to do. This form is isueed in hacking secret webites containing proporganda.

Stereotyping

The enormous range of available accessories relating to clothes, hair, make-up, parties and looking pretty gave rise to the accusation that Barbie encourages young girls to focus on shallow trivia. Her accessories reflect a lifestyle that is unobtainable for most of the girls who play with her.

This culminated in 1992 when Mattel released "Teen Talk Barbie", a talking version of the doll. It spoke a number of phrases such as, "Will we ever have enough clothes?", "I love shopping!", and "Wanna have a pizza party?" Each doll was programmed to say four out of 270 possible phrases, so chances were good that no two dolls owned by a girl or her friends would be exactly the same. One of these 270 phrases was "Math is hard!" Although only about 1.5% of all the dolls sold said the phrase, it caused public outcry.

Responses

One of the most publicized responses happened around the turn of the century,as Barbie's waist widened to more natural proportions.

Barbies of different ethnic groups and nationalities have also been created, including African, Hispanic, Asian and Native American Barbies. Still, these Barbies are exact replicas of the original Barbie, with no individualism other than skin, hair, and eye color. Most commonly the Hispanic Teresa and African-American Christie appear as Barbie's "ethno-friend" alongside Skipper and occasionally red-head Midge, who has been around since the sixties.

Mattel also released an international collection, the Dolls Of The World, in 1980, with Barbies from different parts of the world. The dolls are dressed in more or less traditional clothes, each representing a nation. The European countries are highly over-represented but there are also Peruvian, Kenyan, Chinese, Filipino, Arctic, Japanese and Australian Barbies. In 2001 The Princess Collection" was issued for instance with dolls named Princess of India, Princess of the Navajo, Princess of the Vikings. As of 2005 there are also a "Kelly: Dolls of the World" where Barbies "little sister" and two friends represent different European countries.

To counter accusations of gender stereotyping, career Barbies have been released. These include astronaut, gymnast, rapper and soldier models. They almost made a pom dancer Barbie, but decided she might be over used and populated She also ran for President after breaking up with Ken. [1]

Parodies and lawsuits

Many artists have referred to Barbie and her accompanying products, either as homage or as parody. The European pop-dance group Aqua released a song called "Barbie Girl" in 1997. It contained lyrics such as "You can brush my hair/Undress me everywhere" and used graphics similar to the pink Barbie logo. Mattel used this as grounds for a trademark infringement and defamation lawsuit filed on September 11 1997. However, it was dismissed by the court as parody on May 15 1998.

A commercial by automobile company Nissan featured dolls similar to Barbie and Ken driving in a toy car was the subject of another lawsuit on September 18 1997 [2].

Saturday Night Live aired a parody of common Career Barbie commercial introducing the fictional "Gangsta Bitch Barbie" doll, and a "Tupac Ken" doll.

Malibu Stacy takes the place of Barbie in the fictional world of The Simpsons, specifically the episode 'Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy' - an obvious parody of the 'teen talk' Barbie incident, with Lisa disgusted by the 'sexist drivel spouted by Malibu Stacy,' forcing her to market an alternative 'Lisa Lionheart.'

See also Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story.

Collecting

File:Baybarbie.jpg
Collector Edition Barbie dolls in a department store's display case. Left to right: Romantic Interlude Barbie (African-American version), Sheer Illusion Barbie designed by Nolan Miller, Barbie as Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind, and Vera Wang Awards Night Barbie.

Mattel estimates that there are well over 100,000 avid Barbie collectors. Ninety-percent are women, at an average age of 40, purchasing more than 20 Barbie dolls each year. Forty-five-percent of them spend upwards of $1000 a year. While the original Barbie sold for $3.00 in 1959, a mint boxed Barbie from 1959 sold for $3552.50 on eBay in October 2004. [3]

Books about Barbie first emerged in the 1960s. In the mid-1990s, a new line of novels about Barbie appeared. This new series showcased Barbie's adventurous exploits. In the late 1980s, Barbie had two videos, Barbie and the Rockers and Barbie and the Sensations. By the late-1990s, Mattel had moved to featuring her in interactive 3D video games for both gaming consoles and personal computers. In recent years, she has taken the computer animated movie industry by storm, guest appearing in Toy Story 2, and later her own direct-to-video movies, Barbie in the Nutcracker, Barbie as Rapunzel, Barbie of Swan Lake, Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper, Barbie: Fairytopia, Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus and the latest Barbie: Mermaidia (a sequel to the previous Fairytopia video), all of which were accompanied by small product lines, including dolls. Though not feature length, they are fairly abundant in plot.

Terminology

Collector Edition - Dolls designed specifically for collectors aged 14 and over. Collector Edition dolls usually come in showcase packaging, with a stand and a certificate of authenticity.

Customized - Dolls designed exclusively for specific retail stores are referred to as "customized".

Limited Edition - Collector Edition dolls produced in limited quantities worldwide, which are often available only from specific retailers. These dolls generally feature higher-quality materials and construction than non-limited dolls.

OSS - Stands for "original swimsuit". Denotes a doll that is still dressed in the swimsuit it originally came in.

Ponytail - Barbie's first hairstyle consisted of a top-knot ponytail with tightly-curled bangs. Dolls with this hairstyle are referred to by collectors as the "ponytail" dolls. Early Barbie dolls are organized into five major groups based on various physical characterstics that can be used to determine when a particular doll was manufactured. The major categories are denoted by numbers:

#1 - 1959; The first Barbie doll. White irises, blue eyeliner, sharply arched eyebrows. Has holes in feet lined with copper tubing. Body material whitens with age. Wears black and white swimsuit. Marked "Barbie TM..." on buttock.
#2 - 1959; same as #1, but without the copper-lined tubes in the feet.
#3 - 1960; New blue irises and softer, curved eyebrows. Some dolls have brown eyeliner.
#4 - 1960; Made with a new vinyl that retains its tan coloring. Blue eyeliner only.
#5 - 1961; Bangs now made of a stiffer fiber. Lighter in weight due to a hollow torso, marked "Barbie (r)..." on buttock.
#6 - 1961; Same as #5. Came wearing a new red swimsuit.
#7 - 1963; Body now marked "Midge TM (c) 1962 Barbie (r)(c) 1958 by Mattel, Inc."
#8 - 1964; Same as #7, but "Patented" added to the end of markings.

Timeless Treasures™ - A Collector Edition line featuring celebrity and character dolls.

TNT - "Twist 'N Turn" Waist. A waist with a rotational joint, originally introduced in 1967, copyrighted in 1966. Many variations of this original design have been used.

Vintage - Dolls produced through 1972 are generally considered to be "vintage."

Modern - Dolls produced after 1972.

NRFB - Stands for "Never Removed From Box." Indicates that a doll is undisturbed in its original, un-opened packaging.

MIB - Stands for "Mint in Box." Indicates that a doll is in perfect, like-new condition, and is still housed in its original box, but the box has been opened and the doll may have been removed at some point.

A/O - "All original." Indicates that a doll is exactly as it was when it was originally left the factory, with no restoration work having been done to it.

M/C - "Mint and complete." An outfit in perfect, just-out-of-the box condition with all pieces and accessories included.

OOAK - "One of a kind." A doll that has been customized by an artist, usually by repainting and/or rerooting the hair.

Timeline

1958: Ruth Handler develops the idea of Barbie, inspired by the Bild Lilli doll.
1959: Barbie doll debuts. The vintage era of Barbie begins.
1960: Barbie dolls number 3 and 4 are released.
1961: Barbie doll now available with red hair and a new short style known as the "bubblecut." Barbie doll's boyfriend Ken debuts.
1963: Fashion Queen Barbie debuts with molded hair and three interchangeable wigs. Barbie doll's best friend, Midge, is introduced.
1964: "Miss Barbie" debuts with sleep eyes and is the first with bendable legs. Like the Fashion Queen, she also wears wigs. A new "Swirl" ponytail style Barbie is also introduced as well as Skipper, Barbie's little sister.
1965: Barbie "American Girl" is introduced. Fashions inspired by the First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy are marketed. More of the dolls offered with lifelike with legs that bend. Miss Astronaut is introduced.
1966: Color Magic Barbie debuts. Lunch on the Terrace, Pretty as a Picture, and Shimmering Magic are marketed. Barbie’s cousin Francie introduced. Barbie’s little sister and brother, twins Tutti and Todd, debuts.
1967: Twist ‘N Turn Barbie is introduced. Fashion Shiner and Braniff Boarding Outfit are marketed. Colored Francie appears.
1968: Barbie speaks for the first time (English and Spanish). Six different phrases are said, including "I have a date tonight", "I love being a fashion model", and "Let's have a costume party."
1969: Ken is reintroduced with muscles and a new head, knees that bend, and the ability to speak.
1970: Living Barbie is introduced. She has elbows, knees, and ankles that bend. Her head, waist, arms, hands, and legs swivel.
1971: Malibu Barbie debuts. Growin’ Pretty Hair Barbie debuts. Barbie doll's demure side-glancing eyes now look straight ahead.
1972: This is the year that the modern era of Barbie begins. Walk-Lively Barbie and Talking Busy Barbie are introduced. Talking Busy Barbie can communicate. Talking Busy Barbie has rotating wrists and hands can hold accessories.
1973: Quick Curl Barbie is introduced. Ken doll's hair comes with straight or curly hair and a removable beard, sideburns and two moustaches.
1974: Barbie turns sixteen. A section of Times Square in New York City is renamed Barbie Boulevard for a week.
1975: Barbie Olympic skier, gymnast and skater are marketed poseable with a "gold" medal. Barbie Get-Ups 'N Go new careers as a doctor, surgical nurse, ballerina and a flight attendant. Barbie Dream Boat is introduced.
1976: Ballerina Barbie debuts. Barbie of the Century for the bicentennial celebration is dressed in a red, white, and blue dress. Her red skirt is decorated with the American flag. A line of revolutionary soldiers in uniform are also supplied.
1977: SuperStar Barbie is introduced. Eighteen inches (457 mm) tall Super Size Barbie debuts. Barbie and Ken have new bent arms and extra-poseable heads. "Pierced" earrings reappear, and dolls get rings for the first time.
1978: SuperStar Barbie gets the SuperStar Stage Show. Fashion Photo Barbie has photo shoots posing on a modeling stand.
1979: Pretty Changes Barbie debuts.
1980: Black Barbie, Hispanic Barbie, and the International Collection are marketed. The International Collection initially including Italian Barbie, Parisian Barbie, and Royal U.K. Barbie. The first Barbie doll convention is held.
1981: Western Barbie doll goes country with Westward Ho and Classic Cowgirl. Dallas, her palomino horse, debuts.
1982: Pink & Pretty Barbie debuts. Black Magic Curl Barbie debuts. Eskimo Barbie and India Barbie are added to the International Collection.
1983: Twirly Curls Barbie is marketed. Dream Date Barbie dates Ken. Angel Face Barbie has her own makeup line. Swedish Barbie and Spanish Barbie are added to the International Collection.
1984: Barbie doll's 25th Anniversary. Barbie & Ken Day is declared by New York Mayor Ed Koch. Tiffany's creates a sterling silver Barbie doll. The International Collection becomes the Dolls of the World Collection. Swiss Barbie and Irish Barbie are introduced.
1985: Day-to-Night Barbie debuts. Andy Warhol releases his Barbie painting. Barbie doll exhibition finishes its travels from France and nine U.S. cities.
1986: Barbie joins a band, The Rockers. Dream Glow Fashions that glow in the dark is marketed. Blue Rhapsody Barbie is introduced. It is the first Limited Edition collector Barbie doll. It is the first porcelain doll. Astronaut Barbie travels to space. Peruvian Barbie and Greek Barbie debut.
1987: Barbie's wild Concert Tour fashions take a cue from pop star Madonna. The World Collection adds Icelandic Barbie and German Barbie.
1988: The Happy Holidays Series debuts. Benefit Performance 1967 Barbie is added to the Limited Edition porcelain dolls. Mardis Gras Barbie debuts. Canadian Barbie and Korean Barbie are introduced.
1989: Barbie doll's 30th Anniversary. 1200 Pink Jubilee Barbie are given to invitation-only attendees. Army Barbie is marketed.
1990: Sophisticated Lady Barbie is added to the Limited Edition Porcelain Collection. Bob Mackie Gold Barbie is introduced with over 5,000 golden sequins and beads. It is Dolls magazine's "1990 Award of Excellence" and Doll Reader magazine's "Doty Doll of the Year Award." Air Force Barbie debuts. Nigerian Barbie and Brazilian Barbie join the Dolls of the World.
1991: Starlight Splendor Barbie and Platinum Barbie are added to the long line. Navy Barbie doll is introduced. Gay Parisien Barbie doll is marketed. Czechoslovakian Barbie debuts.
File:Barbie logo.gif
Barbie logo, 1992 to 1999
1992: Stacie is introduced. Marine Corps Barbie debuts. Barbie store opens at FAO Schwarz in New York. Crystal Rhapsody Barbie debuts is the first mail-order Barbie doll. It is part of the Presidential Porcelain Barbie Collection. Neptune Fantasy Barbie and Empress Bride Barbie are marketed. Benefit Ball Barbie of the Classique Collection is introduced.
1993: 1920s Flapper Barbie and Gibson Girl Barbie of the Great Eras Collection are introduced. The First Edition Native American Barbie debuts and is added to the World Collection. The Masquerade Ball Barbie debuts.
1994: Barbie doll’s 35th Anniversary. Mattel reproduces the original number 1 Barbie. Limited Edition Jubilee Barbie is introduced and only 5,000 were made for domestic distribution. Kenyan Barbie and Chinese Barbie join Dolls of the World. Hollywood Legends Collection begins with as Scarlet O' Hara Barbie. Queen of Hearts Barbie is marketed.
1995: Mattel’s 50th Anniversary. Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Barbie is released. Kelly is introduced. The second doll in the Hollywood Legends Collection with Dorothy Barbie from The Wizard of Oz is introduced. Goddess of the Sun Barbie debuts. Rapunzel Barbie debuts as part of the new Children’s Collector Series.
1996: Barbie web site is available. Moon Goddess Barbie debuts. Barbie Millicent Roberts Collection debuts. Limited Edition Vintage Reproduction Poodle Parade Barbie is introduced. Hollywood Legends Collection features Barbie as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady.
1997: Harley-Davidson Barbie, a Toys 'R Us and Harley-Davidson dealership exclusive, debuts. Official Barbie Collector’s Club debuts. Marilyn Barbie is added to the Hollywood Legends Collection. Grand Premier Barbie doll, the first doll for club members only is marketed. Limelight Barbie is introduced. Billions of Dreams Barbie debuts. Classic Ballet Series with Sugar Plum Fairy Barbie.
1998: Sunflower Barbie, second in the Artist Series, is marketed. Happy Holidays Barbie doll series ends. Timeless Sentiments Collection is introduced with the Angel of Joy Barbie. Nolan Miller's Sheer Illusion Barbie and Vera Wang's bridal gown Barbie debut. Harley-Davidson Barbie #2 is released. Elizabeth Taylor endorses first approved doll in her likeness. One of a kind "Dream Halloween" CAAF auction doll depicting Miss Taylor at the 1954 Oscars ceremony designed by Anne Zielinski-Old sells to Demi Moore for ground breaking $25000.00. Collectible vinyl production dolls depicting "Cleopatra" and "Father of the Bride" follow. [4]
1999: Silken Flame Barbie doll selected as a 1960s lifestyle for the U.S. Postal Service's Celebrate the Century™ stamp series. Le Papillon™ Barbie and Crystal Jubilee Barbie debuts. Barbie doll's 40th Anniversary. New face sculpting is used on Coca-Cola Barbie, NASCAR Official #94 Barbie, and Barbie in the Barbie and Kenny Country Duet Set. Collector Edition 40th Anniversary Barbie is released. Gala Edition 40th Anniversary Barbie has a very Limited Edition of 20,000 dolls which are given to Toy Fair Gala attendees. Barbie "Generation Girl" series debuts, sparking controversy as the series includes one doll with a nose ring and one doll (Barbie) with an ankle tattoo. The "Art of Barbie" event and exhibition is held in London to commemorate her anniversary, raising funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation [5]. The release of "Heartstring Angel", "Todd Oldham", and "Western Plains Barbie" all designed by Anne Zielinski-Old.
2000: Barbie for President debuts. Limited Edition dolls production is reduced to quantities of 35,000 or less. Barbie celebrates the year 2000! Barbie 2000, Millennium Wedding™, and Sydney 2000™ Olympic Pin Collector become part of the Most Collectible Doll In The World series. Hollywood Movie Star™ Collection with Barbie as part of the Golden Age of Hollywood is marketed. Barbie Fashion Model Collection debuts. Barbie Silkstone™ is introduced in this Collection; the distinctive pose and attitude for the new doll was designed by Anne Zielinski-Old [6], from a 3D digital mannequin earlier developed at the Royal College of Art for a "Virtual Catwalk" [7]. Barbie debuts with the belly button.
2001: The Cher Barbie doll debuts. Jeannie Barbie From I Dream of Jeannie™ and The Munsters™ Barbie Lily and Ken Herman Munster are introduced.
2002: Iran introduces Sara and Dara dolls as a cheaper alternative to Barbie that promotes Islamic values.
2003: Saudi Arabia's "Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" (the muttawa or "religious police") declares that Barbie's provocative clothing is offensive to Islam. The doll is already banned in the kingdom as a "Jewish" toy, but are available as contraband. "Jewish Barbie dolls, with their revealing clothes and shameful postures, accessories and tools are a symbol of decadence to the perverted West. Let us beware of her dangers and be careful."
2005: Mattel expands the Barbie domain with the introduction of a high-end "Barbie Luxe" designer line of clothing and accessories for adult women. Included: jeans, shirts, handbags and jewelry designed by well-known fashion designers. US sales of Barbie "crashed by 30%, and world sales by 18%" [8].

See also

Further reading

  • Lord, M.G., Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll. Paperback ISBN 0802776949.
  • Rogers, Mary F., "Barbie Culture". Paperback ISBN 0761958886.
  • Knaak, Silke., "German Fashion Dolls of the 50&60". Paperback www.barbies.de.
  • Beckham, Victoria (Foreword), John, Elton (Foreword), The Art of Barbie. Paperback ISBN 0953747921
  • Essays, Guys'n'dolls: Art, Science, Fashion & Relationships. Paperback ISBN 0948723572

Other

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