0 Since that was named the "Barbie"

The doll "Bild Lilli"

The Ruth Handler (4/11/1916 - 27/4/2002) A businesswoman born of Jewish-Polish Jacob and Ida Moskowicz, president of Mattel, watched her daughter Barbara how to make paper dolls and play with them by giving them adult roles.

Thus came the idea to produce a ....



plastic doll with an adult body.

Ruth Mosko Handler

Her husband thought that this idea was not correct and that the doll will sell. In a European trip, Ruth Handler saw the German doll, Bild Lilli (not intended for children) in a Swiss shop and brought it home.



Reformulated the design of the doll and gave it the name Barbie by her daughter Barbara. The Barbie made her debut in New York on March 9, 1959. It became an instant success. Then add a friend named Ken and many other friends in the world of Barbie.

The doll "Bild Lilli"



The Ruth Handler says that when you bought "Bild Lilli" is not understood to be intended for adults. He said that "it was important for the assessment of a girl playing with a doll with breasts," and Barbie was certainly qualified to make this doll.



If Barbie were human size, the measurements would be 39-18-33. Critics argued that the measurements are based on male fantasy rather than actual size and so-called realistic proportions of Barbie remained controversial.



In response, Mattel adjusted the proportions. The chest down and the average upwards, although the rates are still unusually of "typical" women.

H original Barbie in 1959

From left to right

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