Barbies attracted millions of girls since 1959 and soon emerged as beauty icons. Did you know 92% of American girls between 3 to 12 years old own a barbie?
The creator of Barbie, Ruth Handler, said, "The philosophy that drove to create Barbie was that the little girl could do anything she wanted. It also represents that women had multiple choices in their life."
On the other hand, Ken is Barbie's loyal and supportive partner. He was compassionate and a dreamer who fell for Barbie at first sight. But do you know that Barbie and Ken are derived from siblings? Yeah, you heard it right. These two famous characters are born from real-life siblings.
Now, let's uncover the true story behind Barbie and Ken. Read on.
The creator of Barbie, Ruth Handler, said, "The philosophy that drove to create Barbie was that the little girl could do anything she wanted. It also represents that women had multiple choices in their life."
On the other hand, Ken is Barbie's loyal and supportive partner. He was compassionate and a dreamer who fell for Barbie at first sight. But do you know that Barbie and Ken are derived from siblings? Yeah, you heard it right. These two famous characters are born from real-life siblings.
Now, let's uncover the true story behind Barbie and Ken. Read on.
The Birth Of Barbie & Ken
Barbie is a popular children's brand of dolls created in 1959 by Ruth Handler. Ruth was an American and quite passionate about Bild Lilli, also known as the popular toy.
This toy was manufactured by Mattel, an American toy manufacturing company. Ruth created Barbie with the inspiration of Bild Lilli, which is a German doll. The Barbie's name was derived from Ruth's daughter Barbara.
This toy was manufactured by Mattel, an American toy manufacturing company. Ruth created Barbie with the inspiration of Bild Lilli, which is a German doll. The Barbie's name was derived from Ruth's daughter Barbara.
Soon, Barbie became the brand figure of Mattel's manufacturing company. It was included everywhere, from mini accessories to clothes to fashion wear.
Meet the New Guy on the Block - Ken
After two years of the birth of Barbie, Ken entered the play as Barbie's boyfriend. Ken was named after Ruth's son, Kenneth. However, it wasn't introduced by Ruth Handler. It was introduced by Ruth's husband, Elliot Handler, as a counterpart to Barbie.
These dolls are often known as the two most popular doll pairs globally. These dolls changed the entire toy industry.
These dolls are often known as the two most popular doll pairs globally. These dolls changed the entire toy industry.
The craze for Barbie and Ken has been increasing day by day. People are especially interested in knowing about their origin, love life, and many more as celebrities.
The Story Behind Barbie And Ken
One day, Ruth Handler saw her daughter, Barbara playing with dolls. Earlier, children's toys merely represented infants. And suddenly, she thought about the dolls in adult roles that could fill the market gap.
Then, she went to her husband, Elliot, to propose the business model of adult-bodied toys. But Elliot was unexcited and reluctant about this proposal like Mattel's directors.
Then, she went to her husband, Elliot, to propose the business model of adult-bodied toys. But Elliot was unexcited and reluctant about this proposal like Mattel's directors.
Later, Ruth went to Europe with Barbara and Kenneth in 1956 and encountered a German toy, namely, Bild Lilli. She purchased three dolls and gave two of them to her daughter. At the same time, she took the other one to Mattel.
This doll was exclusively made for adults, but it became famous as a children's toy. Ruth Handler redesigned the doll with the designer, Jack Ryan, and named it Barbie.
This doll was exclusively made for adults, but it became famous as a children's toy. Ruth Handler redesigned the doll with the designer, Jack Ryan, and named it Barbie.
Barbie's Coming Out Party
After two years of Barbie's birth, Elliot Handler invented Ken. It was presented at the American International Toy Fair in New York in 1959 on the 9th of March. From then, it was recognized as Barbie's official birthday.
Ken was named after his son, Ken Handler, who died of a brain tumor at an early age. Ken was a handsome guy who was also a boyfriend to Barbie.
Now There's an Anti-Barbie Too
Both the dolls – Barbie and Ken – have a special place in children's hearts. The Mattel brand tremendously grew its empire from doll manufacturing to selling houses, clothes, and daily accessories.
Barbie has also bagged a few criticisms for its unrealistic structure like its craze. Experts said girls who grew up with this toy are prone to fear and mental imbalances about their bodies. This is why Nickolay Lamm discovered an anti-Barbie toy with lots of cellulite, acne, and tattoos in 2014.