Barbie’s origins can be traced back to Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel, who decided that little girls needed a creative outlet. She was watching her daughter play with paper dolls and it suddenly dawned on her that there was a need for a toy in which girls could identify with and one that will encourage creative play. She then went on to create a three-dimensional doll for girls that allowed them to act out the things that only lived in their dreams. This would be officially released to the public on March 9, 1959, at the New York Toy Fair. 

Unfortunately, when the doll was released to the public, it wasn’t met with the enthusiasm that Ruth thought it would. Instead, it was met with quite a bit of skepticism by the toy industry. This didn’t stop Ruth, however, and she would work to make sure that the toy received the respect it deserves. Now, many decades later, Barbie has not only become a bestseller, but she’s also become a cultural icon. Barbie has been very busy over the last 6+ decades, considering that this doll has had over 180 different careers.