What should I know about barbies? ~*~ Barbie mania!Jun 25 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Loathed, tolerated, admired, adored, collected, played with… Barbie® and her massive paraphernalia have been part of the American civilization since 1959.
Loathed, tolerated, admired, adored, collected, played with…. No matter which of the preceding fits your current Barbie® fondness, one certainty remains – she, and her massive paraphernalia, have been part of the American civilization since 1959. Perhaps it is safe to assume that Ruth Handler didn’t realize how enormous her original creation would become. Inspired through observing her daughter play with make-believe paper dolls, Barbie® started because of this woman’s desire to provide a doll for her daughter Barbara, and other children, that would inspire young girls toward considering what they wanted to be when they grew up. Prior to the introduction of Barbie® only baby dolls were available. In 1959, Barbie® debuted in a black and white swimsuit, and sported a ponytail. Needless to say, from conception, Barbie® was a sensation! An early upgrade occurs in 1960 when the type of vinyl Barbie® is constructed from changes to one that shall retain the flesh-tone coloring versus turning white with age. By 1961, Barbie® is the hottest selling doll ever! She now appears in a variation of hair colors that include a hue of red known as titian, and is introduced sporting a bubble cut much like Jacqueline Kennedy. This year also sees the introduction of Ken ~ ˝” taller than Barbie®, sporting flocked brown or blonde hair, blue eyes, swim trunks, sandals, and movable head-arms-legs. By the end of 1962, Kens hair changes from fuzzy to painted on. Barbie® acquires a friend – Marge (with freckles) during 1963. We also see the introduction of Fashion Queen Barbie® - complete with her three interchangeable wigs (a fair-haired Bubble Cut, a brown Pageboy, a red side-swept ponytail). Numerous additions to the Barbie® family occur over the next several years. Styles have changed, demands have increased, but one huge factor remains…. Like it or not - Barbie® doll continues to be The Most Collectible Doll In The World™! Take a stroll with me through more of Barbie® memory lane. Don't discredit this fashion queens worth! You just may have a treasure in your attic! 1964 Eyes open and close Skipper, Barbie® doll's little sister 1965 Pageboy cut with bangs, several hair colors. Barbie® doll and her friends become more lifelike with legs that bend. Barbie® also appears as Miss Astronaut. 1966 Color Magic Barbie® debuts with shoulder-length hair and clothing that can be dyed. Cousin Francie Twins Tutti and Todd (sister and brother) 1967 A new look is introduced – Twist ‘N Turn Barbie® -softer face paint, long straight hair, rooted eyelashes, torso that twists London fashion model Twiggy Barbie® 1968 Talking Barbie® speaks English & Spanish (quoting six phrases when string at back of neck is pulled) 1969 Ken has a new head, knees that bend, can speak, and has muscles. 1970 Living Barbie® is more lifelike with elbows, knees, and ankles that bend, and a head, waist, arms, hands, and legs that swivel. 1971 Live-Action Barbie® debuts with her hippie fashion, loose-jointed waist, and inclusive record to dance along with. Growin’ Pretty Hair Barbie® has a blonde ponytail that grows when pulled. Malibu Barbie® sports long blonde hair parted down the middle. Eyes are changed from the side-glance to a straight ahead look. 1972 Walk-Lively Barbie® Talking Busy Barbie® - rotating wrists, hands that open, allowing her to hold accessories 1973 Quick Curl Barbie® - includes a curling wand Mod Hair Ken - straight or curly hair to style, a removable beard - sideburns - moustache 1975 Barbie® Dream Boat debuts 1976 Barbie® is selected as the Doll of the Century for the bicentennial celebration & put into a time capsule until 2076 Ballerina Barbie® debuts 1977 Super Size Barbie® debuts (eighteen inches tall) 1979 Pretty Changes Barbie® debuts with short hair 1980 The first annual Barbie doll convention is held in 1980. Black and Hispanic Barbie® dolls are introduced. Dolls of the World® Collection starts - Italian Barbie®, Parisian Barbie®, and Royal U.K. Barbie®. 1981 My First Barbie® debuts Dolls of the World® - Eskimo Barbie® and India Barbie® 1983 Dolls of the World® - Swedish Barbie® and Spanish Barbie®. Twirly Curls Barbie® comes with the Twirly Curler Hairstyler 1984 Barbie® 25th Anniversary New York Mayor Ed Koch announces a Barbie® & Ken Day Dolls of the World® - Swiss Barbie® and Irish Barbie®. 1986 Dolls of the World® - Peruvian Barbie® and Greek Barbie® Blue Rhapsody Barbie® - first porcelain Barbie®doll 1987 Dolls of the World® - Icelandic Barbie® and German Barbie®. 1988 The Happy Holidays Series debuts ending with the 1998 Happy Holidays Barbie® doll. Dolls of the World® - Canadian Barbie® and Korean Barbie® American Beauties collection debuts – Mardis Gras Barbie® 1989 Barbie® doll's 30th Anniversary is celebrated with a grand ball at Lincoln Center in New York City, this event is by invitation only, and the lucky attendees receive one of only 1200 dolls - Pink Jubilee Barbie® 1990 Dolls of the World® - Nigerian Barbie® and Brazilian Barbie® Air Force Barbie® debuts Bob Mackie Gold Barbie® - nominated for Dolls magazine 1990 Award of Excellence & by Doll Reader magazine for the Doty Doll of the Year Award. 1991 Dolls of the World® - Czechoslovakian Barbie® Navy Barbie® debuts Gay Parisienne Barbie® - Barbie® Porcelain Treasures Collection 1992 The first Barbie® store opens at FAO Schwarz in New York. Neptune Fantasy Barbie® Empress Bride Barbie® Stars 'N Stripes Marine Corps Barbie® 1993 Dolls of the World® - Native American Barbie® The Great Eras Collection -1920s Flapper Barbie® & Gibson Girl Barbie® 1994 Dolls of the World® - Kenyan Barbie® and Chinese Barbie® The Hollywood Legends Collection - Barbie® as Scarlet O' Hara from Gone with the Wind 35th Anniversary Barbie® - Mattel reproduces the original number 1 Barbie® doll from 1959 in black and white swimsuit. 1995 50th anniversary for Mattel, an original garage-based company that has now grown to a world leader of children’s toys. The Hollywood Legends Collection – Barbie as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz Children’s Collector Series debuts - Barbie as Rapunzel 1996 The first Barbie web site. Limited Edition Vintage Reproduction - Poodle Parade Barbie® (1965) The Hollywood Legends Collection – Barbie® as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady 1997 The Official Barbie® Collector’s Club debuts. Harley-Davidson Barbie® - #1 would be the hottest doll of the year Limelight Barbie® Dreams Barbie® The Hollywood Legends Collection – Barbie® as Marilyn The Classic Ballet Series - Barbie® as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker. 1998 The Timeless Sentiments Collection debuts - Angel of Joy Barbie®. Harley-Davidson Barbie® #2 1999 Barbie® doll's 40th Anniversary year Gala Edition 40th Anniversary Barbie® - limited to 20,000 dolls Coca-Cola® Barbie® NASCAR Official #94 Barbie® New face sculpting - A youthful, smooth look with fuller lips crafted into a mild smile Barbie® doll is selected by American voters as a representative of the 1960s lifestyle for the U.S. Postal Service's Celebrate the Century™ stamp series. 2000 Barbie® 2000 Millennium Wedding™ Sydney 2000™ Olympic Pin Collector Limited Edition dolls are now reduced in quantities of 35,000 or less The Barbie® Fashion Model Collection debuts The Hollywood Movie Star™ Collection premiers - Between Takes™ and Hollywood Premiere™ Barbie® doll continues to be The Most Collectible Doll In The World™ Mattel launches www.Barbiecollectiblesstore.com - dedicated to the Barbie Collectibles® line © 2001 Lisa_J  |
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