Barbie still going strong after 60 years

Barbie, the creation of Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler, who named the fashion doll after her daughter Barbara, continues to be one of the world’s most popular toys 60 years after first going on sale

March 9, 1959: Barbie unveiled at New York Toy Fair. Priced at $3, some 350,000 dolls are sold in first year

1961: Mattel introduces Ken doll as Barbie’s fictional boyfriend. They split in 2004 but get back together again in 2011

1971: Malibu Barbie is first with eyes looking forwards rather than sideways

1980: Black and Hispanic Barbies go on sale

1992: Totally Hair Barbie – best selling Barbie to date

1998: Barbie is given wider midriff for more realistic body shape

2000: Jewel Girl Barbie has flexible waist and belly button 5

2001: First DVD movie – Barbie in the Nutcracker

2002: My Scene Barbie created to compete with rival MGA Entertainment’s Bratz dolls

2016: Barbie Fashionistas range adds diversity with new body shapes – tall, curvy and petite – and variety of skin tones

2019: 58 million Barbies sold annually in over 150 countries

1. Original Barbie with Ken
2. Malibu Barbie
3. African-American Barbie
4. Totally Hair Barbie 
5. Jewel Girl Barbie
6. Barbie Fashionistas Spring Into Style, Curvy
7. Barbie 60th Anniversary

------------------
Source: Mattel © GRAPHIC NEWS        Pictures: Mattel, Amazon