Barbie has been around for 65 years! You’d think that interest in the doll line would have floundered like most toy lines of yesteryear, especially given the fact that children these days are more interested in what is on their screens. However, In 2023, the Barbie line generated approximately $1.54 billion in gross sales worldwide. Sure, the Barbie movie likely had a hand in that, but it’s still mindblowing to see how successful the doll line still is after all of these years.
So, with that in mind, we decided to offer a quick trip down memory lane and share some brief insights and glimpses into each decade of Barbie’s life thus far.
Barbie in the 1950s
In 1959, Ruth Handler's vision transformed the toy industry forever with the introduction of Barbie. Ruth was inspired by watching her daughter play with paper dolls of adult women during a family trip to Europe. At that time, most dolls were made in the form of children and babies. She quickly realized that there was a market for dolls shaped like adult women. Together with her husband Elliott and designer Jack Ryan, Ruth created a new doll toy line. named after her daughter Barbara — Barbie. Barbie’s official full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Her design was inspired by a German doll named Bild Lilli.
The doll was originally sold in tobacco shops to men as a racy gag gift and was inspired by a popular comic strip.
You can see the resemblance between Lilli and Barbie.
Somehow, the Lilli doll transitioned to being marketed to children in Germany. Mattel, the company that Ruth and her husband owned, later bought the rights to Lilli so they could mold their own version of the doll.
Styled in a black and white striped swimsuit, the original Barbie debuted at the American Toy Fair in New York City. Barbie’s official birthday is March 9th, 1959 — the day she was introduced to the world at the fair. In the doll line’s first year, an amazing 300,000 Barbie dolls were sold.
The successful debut release set the stage for Barbie's long-term reign over the doll industry.
Barbie in the 1960s
The 1960s saw Barbie evolve from a new concept of dolls to a cultural phenomenon. The doll line grew quickly by introducing several new characters to the Barbie universe.
Ken in 1961
Ken was named after Ruth’s son. His official full name is Ken Carson.
Midge in 1963
Barbie needed a best friend as well, so Midge Hadley was created.
Skipper in 1964
Skipper Roberts, Barbie’s sister, was later developed to broaden Barbie’s family,
Christie in 1968
Talking Christie — full name Christie O’Niel — was introduced as Barbie’s friend in 1968 at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. She was the first doll in the Barbie line molded with African-American features.
These accompanying characters helped to expand the Barbie universe, as did official playsets. The iconic Barbie Dream House debuted in 1962, showcasing an elegant lifestyle for Barbie and children playing with her.
Barbie also started to embrace diverse careers, later representing upwards of 250 careers over her 65-plus years. Astronaut Barbie debuted in 1965 — accompanied by Astronaut Ken — four years before Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the moon.
Barbie in the 1970s
In the 1970s, the introduction of other dolls like Hispanic Barbie and the International series showcased different cultures and ethnicities.
Career-wise, Surgeon Barbie in 1973 reflected the broader societal changes and the women’s liberation movement, encouraging girls to dream beyond traditional roles. Many career Barbies followed.
The 1970s also gave us one of the most iconic Barbies of all time — Malibu Barbie (and Ken). This Barbie had a tan skin tone, fitting the Malibu, California setting. The design of the eyes and her smile were changed as well, which became the norm for all Barbies after.
Barbie in the 1980s
The 1980s were all about glitz and glamour for Barbie. This decade introduced Barbies like Barbie and the Rockers in 1986, tapping into the vibrant music scene and pop culture.
1985’s Day-to-Night Barbie embodied the era's work-hard-play-hard ethos, showcasing Barbie as both a businesswoman and an evening socialite.
1985 was also the year that Mattel started to launch the “We Girls Can Do Anything” ad campaign.
Barbie in the 1990s
In the 1990s, Barbie continued to modernize. The introduction of Totally Hair Barbie in 1992, with her hair reaching her toes, captured the playful spirit of the '90s and became the best-selling Barbie of all time.
The decade also saw the release of the Dolls of the World collection, celebrating international cultures and emphasizing Barbie's universal appeal.
Barbie even ran for president!
Barbie in the 2000s and Beyond
The new millennium brought significant reinvention for Barbie. Mattel launched the Barbie Fashionistas line in 2009, featuring more articulation in the doll for the first time since a previous gymnastics Barbie.
The 2010s were a decade of empowerment and breaking boundaries.
People began to speak up about the body type that Barbie had been showcasing for decades — a body type that didn’t represent most of the world. In 2016, Mattel listened to those critical words and answered with an updated line. They offered four different types of bodies, as well as several different types of skin tones, eye colors, and hairstyles.
In 2019, Mattel released a line of Barbie dolls with wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs. This inclusion emphasized more empowerment and representation for the line.
The highly successful Barbie movie in 2023 reignited global fascination with the doll, blending nostalgia with contemporary storytelling. The film wasn’t just an entertaining movie inspired by a popular toyline. It became a beacon for female empowerment and commentary about society.
The 2020s have seen a surge in the popularity of vintage Barbie collecting, with fans and collectors seeking out classic dolls and playsets from previous decades. Some of the most prized Barbies in mint condition have sold for impressive amounts at auction.
The original 1959 Barbie No. 1 has sold for as much as $27,450.
The 1965 Pink Splendor Barbie can command prices upwards of $10,000.
A mint condition 1971 Malibu Barbie has sold for around $3,000.
The 1980s Barbie and the Rockers doll, in its original packaging, can sell for up to $700.
These are just a few examples of the collectibility of the Barbie line’s 65-year history.
Whether as a beloved nostalgic childhood toy or a prized collectible, Barbie's legacy continues to shine brightly, showing no sign of decline after a record year in sales.