This Day in History:, The Barbie Doll
Makes Its Debut.
March 9, 1959.
The 11-inch doll was
introduced to the world
at the American Toy Fair.
Barbie was the
brainchild of Mattel, Inc.
cofounder, Ruth Handler.
Handler based
Barbie on the German
comic strip character Lilli.
She named the toy after
her daughter Barbara, whose favorite
toys were the inspiration for Barbie.
Mattel created the first
television commercial for
children to advertise the doll.
Since its creation,
Barbie has been both an
inspiration and a controversial figure.
The doll has been praised
as a role model for young girls,
while also criticized for its perceived materialism