| The one thing that every little girl plays with for | | | | Over the years Barbie has went through quite a few |
| hours on end is a Barbie doll. Just think, that when it | | | | changes. Her appearance has been the cause of |
| was first thought of Mattel did not want to | | | | many complaints and even lawsuits. In 1971, Barbie's |
| manufacture it! It turns out that the decision to | | | | eyes were changed from the narrow, sideways look |
| invest in Barbie was a wise one since it is now a | | | | as they were designed with to give a look of allure. |
| globally known icon with all children. | | | | She was given the round, looking forward eyes that |
| Barbie has came a long way since it was designed in | | | | she still has today. Most notable, in 1997, Barbie was |
| 1959 by Ruth Handler. Handler first saw the need for | | | | given new dimensions, since people worried that |
| an adult doll that would allow girls to play with and | | | | Barbie sent an unrealistic body image message to girls |
| dream of how it would be when they were adults. | | | | with her body measurements. After going through |
| The only option at this time was to play with paper | | | | countless lawsuits against Mattel, they decided to |
| dolls. The first time that Handler took her product to | | | | take the measures and change Barbie's body. |
| the Mattel Corporation, that she was a co-founder | | | | The last 50 years Barbie has escalated to much more |
| of, she was turned down. The committee felt that it | | | | than a doll. Barbie is a trademark icon that all little girls |
| would not appeal to children and would end up | | | | have. There are books, games, movies and countless |
| costing them more to produce than they would | | | | accessories that are all contributed to Barbie. There |
| possibly make a profit off. Barbie was modeled after | | | | are dolls that are cousins and sisters to Barbie, |
| a doll that Handler had brought from Europe, called | | | | making up the entire Barbie family, complete with a |
| Lillie. After which, Mattel finally agreed to back her | | | | pink car and dream house. Barbie has managed to |
| efforts. Then later that year, Barbie was introduced | | | | keep up with all the latest fashion trends and has |
| to the world in New York City at the American Toy | | | | inspired the imaginations of little girls all around the |
| Fair. | | | | world. Barbie reinforced the idea that girls can grow |
| The buyer's of the industry were not impressed with | | | | up to be whatever they want with Barbie's of all |
| Barbie. However, the little girls went wild over the doll! | | | | sorts of occupations, such as veterinarian, scuba |
| Within the first year Mattel set a new sales record. It | | | | diving Barbie, or even Nascar driving Barbie. |
| took several years for the supply of Barbie to meet | | | | Despite there being more and more competitors that |
| with the demand of the dolls, since every little girl | | | | are trying to imitate Barbie, there is still only one, true |
| wanted Barbie and all her clothes and accessories. | | | | doll that can call itself Barbie. |