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- Created: 1959
- Produced by Mattel, Inc.
- Based on the Bild Lilli doll
- A 1965 Midnight Red Barbie recently sold for $17,000
- Full name: Barbie Millicent Roberts
- Over one billion sold
- Portrayed by Kristen Wiig on Saturday Night Live
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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.
On March 9, 2009, in commemoration of Barbie's 50-year anniversary, Mattel released 'Totally Stylin' Tattoos Barbie. Each doll is packaged with 40 stick-on tattoos.The Seattle Times: Barbie turns 50: She gets tattoos, new China store (March 9, 2009)
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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. -
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Barbie Girl Song by Aqua
I'm a Barbie girl in a Barbie world...
gno added a comment January 04, 2010 02:52 PM| ReportOh my god! I loved this song back in '97! I remember Mattel making a huge stink over this though, and courts having to decide that Barbie was a public image ripe for parody. Thank goodness Aqua prevailed! Love it!
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Barbie Questions
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Does Barbie have cankles? 5 AnswersYes, this has gone too far! Seriously? A shoe designer thinks that Barbie, the doll with legs 20% longer than any real woman could have, has cankles? Even Preg... read more -
So In Style Barbie doll sisters have come out. Do you think they will find a fan base with children? 2 AnswersI think they will find a fanbase and sell well. Girls love barbies, so these new ones wont just be avoided because of their skin color. read more -
What do you think of the new black Barbies? 10 AnswersI think they're great! I love the fact that they were developed by an African-American mother who wanted to create these dolls for her daughters and other child... read more -
Is this guy for real? Jeff Elridge and his Barbie Ban? 1 AnswerYup, Jeff Eldridge, WV state senator introduced legislation on Tuesday to ban Barbie in West Virginia. In an interview he said he realizes the bill doesn't have... read more
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Barbie News
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'Barbie' could err again, court hears
There is no absolute certainty that Cezanne Visser, known as "Advocate Barbie", will not commit another illegal sex act without further rehabilitation, ... (February 09, 2010)Independent Online -
Analysts aren't kidding with Hasbro and Mattel
29 that Barbie and Hot Wheels sales surged in the fourth quarter. Longtime toy analyst Sean McGowan at Needham & Co. has set the highest price target of $29 ... (February 09, 2010)MarketWatch -
Mattel 4Q Earnings Up 86% As Margins, Barbie Sales Jump
By Mary Ellen Lloyd Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Barbie is back, posting her biggest sales increase in years. Mattel Inc.'s (MAT) iconic doll and a big ... (January 29, 2010)Wall Street Journal -
Help Barbie land her next job
Barbie is looking for a new job, and she's exploring several options: surgeon, architect, computer engineer, news anchor, and environmentalist. ... (February 09, 2010)WalletPop (blog)
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