Guide Note

Barbie is the most popular and iconic fashion doll in America. While once the dominant force of the fashion doll market, the popularity of Bratz dolls have cut significantly into Barbie's market share.

Fast Facts

1. Created: 1959
2. Produced by Mattel, Inc.
3. Based on the Bild Lilli doll
4. A 1965 Midnight Red Barbie recently sold for $17,000
5. Full name: Barbie Millicent Roberts
6. Over one billion sold

History

Ruth Handler knew young girls wanted to play with dolls that looked like adult women. On a trip to Germany, she found a toy named Bild Lilli, a doll based on a popular comic strip character. Although that toy was designed for adults (Bild Lili was a prostitute), it had become popular with children, who liked to dress up Bild Lilli. Handler retooled the doll, and named it after her daughter, Barbara. Barbie had her debut on March 9, 1959, and became an iconic doll for children.

Bratz vs. Barbie

Since the Bratz doll, manufactured by MGA Entertainment and designed by a former Mattel employee, premiered in 2001, they have become wildly popular and cut significantly into Barbie's market share. Mattel released a line of Barbies called My Scene, which were very similar to Bratz. Mattel sued Bratz creator Carter Bryant in 2004, alleging he developed the designs at Mattel and then stole them. MGA sued Mattel for copying Bratz with My Scene. Both suits are still in process.