Who Is The Founder of Barbie -World Most Liked Doll?

Barbie - The Doll of Generations!

Perhaps the only doll having an identity and available in various outfits. 

But, who is the person behind this iconic doll creation? 

Answer - The businesswoman Ruth Handler. 

Ruth Handler, who stepped into his husband, Elliot’s furniture business as a support in sales, took it to unimaginable heights. 

First, they founded a furniture manufacturing company named ‘Mattle’ with one of their trusted friends Harold Mattson. 

Later shifted the business to a toy manufacturer, selling doll houses, guns, cars, baby toys, etc. as it was generating good revenue. 

However, Ruth Handler who was always looking for new ideas related to toys got inspiration from her 10-year-old daughter Barbara. 

Barbara would play with her paper dolls assuming them to be in different adult roles. 

Thus, Ruth thought of creating a doll for teen-age girls who can play with the doll of their dreams. 

Her idea matches with reality during her Europe trip when she stumbled upon a doll, Bild Lilly - an adult doll that was quite popular in Germany.

This doll wasn’t for children at all but was used as a gift at bachelor parties, seen in bars, and at places for grown-ups only. 

Ruth handler bought a few Lily dolls, came back to her place worked with the design of her doll, and named it ‘Barbie’ inspired by her daughter’s name- Barbara. 

The doll, Barbie was launched first at the American International Toy Fair in New York in March 1959 and received cool responses. 

In one of Ruth’s interviews, she revealed that the sale was not even 40%. However, gradually the sales figures increased, and soon it turned out the biggest success. 

It’s been more than half a century, but the Barbie craze is still intact among children. Barbie's looks, hair and overall getup are so popular that it has become a style symbol. 

The recently released film Barbie directed by Greta Gerwig received quite well by the audience. 

Though lots of Barbie-based cartoon dramas have been made and telecasted, this is the first film for an international audience.