In her tiny stilettos, Barbara Millicent Roberts—you can call her Barbie—teetered into our lives on March 9, 1959, at the American International Toy Fair in New York. Many of the buyers in attendance passed on the 11.5-inch tall teen that wasn't what the toy world was used to: baby dolls. But not for long. Barbie soon emerged as a toy-selling sensation and cultural icon. Today, she reigns over a multiverse that includes some 45 categories of products, animated shows, streaming movies, and a 2023 feature film directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie as Barbie herself. This is the story of Barbie—the toy that invited millions of fans to live the dream.
Why We Love Barbie • When we see her, we see our dreams and hopes for our future.
the Birth of an Icon • By combining aspiration with child’s play, Ruth Handler reimagined what a doll could be.
Who was Ruth Handler?
Empire of Plastic • One doll, a billion-dollar business, and myriad possibilities – welcome to the world of Barbie.
Collect ’em all
Fleets of Fancy
Hot Properties
Barbie’s Boyfriend Ken
Barbie’s Family
Barbie’s Friends
Dressed for Success • The lion’s share of their wardrobe may be pink, but Barbie and Ken’s looks are perennially red hot.
A Look at Barbie’s Looks
Such a Ken Doll
Onto the Screen • Either animated or live-action, Barbie becomes the personification of a living doll in any medium.
Big Screen Barbie
Ryan Gosling has Ken-ergy!
Margot Robbie is a Boss Barbie!
Sign of the Times • Through missteps and misjudgments, Barbie has endured, taking on all comers and forging a path ahead.
Pop Culture Princess • Over six decades, Barbie has both influenced, and been shaped by, the spirit of the era.
The Story Of Barbie
Photo Credits
