Blonde or brunette, slender or curvy, black or white, princess or president, Barbie is a forever favorite for young girls, even if she has caused controversy over the years. AFP/Mark RALSTON
March 9, 1959: Barbie makes her debut at the American Toy Fair in New York.
1961: Creation of Ken, Barbie’s on-off boyfriend. The two dolls are named for creator Ruth Handler’s children.
1965: Barbie becomes an astronaut, four years before Neil Armstrong walks on the Moon. To date, she has tried nearly 200 careers.
1965: Barbie gets bendable legs.
1967: The first celebrity Barbie is issued — in the form of British model Twiggy.
1968: Mattel markets the first black doll, a friend for Barbie named Christie. In 1980, the first Black Barbie is marketed.
1970: The first fully articulated Barbie is created.
1992: Barbie is a presidential candidate for the first time.
2004: Barbie dumps Ken for a surfer named Blaine, the brother of one of her friends. But the relationship only lasts a short time.
February 14, 2011: Ken officially returns to Barbie’s life.
2014: Mattel produces Ella, a bald friend of Barbie suffering from cancer. She is given free to children going through chemotherapy who have lost their hair.
2016: Barbie makes the front page of Time magazine when she is introduced in several new looks: tall, petite and curvy.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
