The Barbie Phenomenon

Behind the magic of Barbie’s creation. The holiday season is fast approaching and the list for children to buy for is long. Strolling down the Toys ‘R Us toy aisle, I find it hard to miss what is in every typical North American toy store: Mattel’s Barbie dolls. A plastic doll with clothes; it appears simple enough but not quite. From its conception in California, to it being manufactured in China, to it being shipped to the local Toys ‘R Us store in Vancouver, the Barbie doll sitting on a toy store shelve has undergone numerous social and geographical processes involved in its production before it will reach into the hands of my excited nine year old cousin on Christmas morning.

She is in toy stores around the world, and has been on the market for 54 years and is still going strong. The Barbie industry has adapted well to advancements in technology and social justice. Barbie now has many movies in a variety of topics ranging from traditional Christmas stories, to ‘Barbie originals.’ Barbie has also recently developed a web based TV show called “Barbie: Life in the Dream house,” this shows Barbie’s ability to adapt and thrive in a new environment. When Barbie first began, the only doll on the market was a blonde, all-American doll. However Barbie quickly adapted to the civil rights movement around it and started producing other ethnicities by 1967.

(Teresa) Her black lined sultry eyes, pointy brows, and red lips were very adult like characteristics. Although her appearance worried parents, Barbie was a hit in the industry. Within the first year, over 300,000 Barbies were sold for $1-$3 a doll. With over 150 careers, Barbie has been an idol to many girls all over the world. Julianne M., mom to one daughter, explained, "A doll with ... ... middle of paper ... ...ith accessories such as hats and a few different wigs.

Since its inception in 1959, the Barbie doll has become a well-known toy brand in the United States and from around the globe. Mattel, the company who owns the Barbie brand, relies on the success of Barbie dolls, consisting around 20 percent of its sales annually. Despite being the world's largest toy maker, challenges have faced its Barbie brand from region to region. In the United States, young girls are investing more time with electronic devices such as cell phones and music players than playing with their Barbie dolls. Another problem that Mattel is facing is a new competitor that is threating their sales in the U.S. and in Europe.

It was not until 2000 that Disney decided to group Mulan, Belle, and the gang together under the brand Disney Princess. Princess merchandise, dolls, clothing, games, home décor, toy has become a $5.5 billion enterprise and Disney’s second-most-profitable franchise, after Mickey Mouse (Suddath). Disney used to market movies, not characters. Jasmine dolls were on store shelves only when Aladdin was out—either during its initial run or when it was released. That changed in 2000, when a newly hired Disney executive named Andy Mooney went to a Disney on Ice show in Phoenix.

Today, Barbie continues to be the most popular doll in the world, with two sold every minute (“The Creation of Barbie”). When Barbie first premiered, feminism in America was on the back burner (Hannam), and was little talked of. It’s said that with the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment, in 1920, waves of feminism died down, as it was commonly thought that women had been given complete equal rights, and they sho... ... middle of paper ... ...sity of Florida. 2007. Web.

The first Barbie doll was created in 1959, changing the toy making industry forever. This simple idea turned into a massive success. The sponsor of the phenomenon was Mattel Inc. founded by Ruth Handler and her Husband. Ruth Handler’s original idea of Barbie was revolutionary due to the many impacts on society this small doll created. Some of the most popular toys today came from Mattel Inc. Handler her husband and partner Elliot Matt created this organization having no idea what would come out of it.

In 1899, he moved to Seattle, where he opened a shoe store with a shoemaker named Carl Wallin, whom he had met in Alaska, and the shop opened in 1901. The two young men had no idea the industry they were about to build. Business quickly picked up. By 1905 the business continued to grow, and by 1923 the partners had opened a second store. But by 1928 John Nordstrom decided to retire at 57, passing on his share to his two sons.

As you can see with the number of toy stores in our society, we find toys of great value to our lives and enjoy giving them to children as gifts. Ask just about any young girl what she wants for Christmas and you’ll undoubtedly get the same answer: “A Barbie.” But what exactly has caused this baby boomer Barbie craze, and how did the entire world get so caught up in it? The answer lies in Ruth Handler’s vision for the first children’s adult doll. Mrs. Handler’s eleven and one-half-inch chunk of plastic began causing problems even before it’s public debut in 1959, yet has managed to become one of America’s favorite dolls. Ruth Handler and her two young children, Barbara and Ken, were merely sightseeing in Lucerne, Switzerland, when Mrs. Handler first saw the doll she herself had been trying to create (Lord 29).

The History of Barbie Barbara Millicent Roberts was first debuted on March 9th, 1959, rocking her black and white swimsuit waiting to take over the world! Barbie was the first three dimensional doll introduced in America relicted after the German doll, stemming from paper dolls (www.Barbiemedia.com) . Since barbie came out in 1959 she has been rolling through the years, acquiring fashions and looks from each decade she lives in. Her journey began in the sixties and is still going today in 2016. Barbies’ fashion is incredible, and even was handmade at a time, some clothing items are even worth a lot of money.