Today in 1959, was the first day of the Barbie doll introduced to the world at the American Toy Fair in New York City. Created by Ruth Handler, one of the founders of the Mattel Company, Barbie was named after Ruth's daughter. Later on, when the Ken doll was made, it was named after Ruth's son.
After fighting breast cancer and undergoing a mastectomy in 1970, Ruth could not find a suitable prosthetic breast, so she designed one that was more natural. In 1975, Ruth received a patent for Nearly Me, a prosthesis made of material close in weight and density to natural breasts.
Happy Birthday Barbie.
ReplyDeleteI loved my Barbie. I wish I still had her.