The movie ‘Barbie’ is not just another delightful doll film, instead, it’s more than that. The world of Barbie brings female empowering energy in the movie but have you ever thought who was the inspiration for Barbie?
Barbie is portrayed not only as a fashion-forward and stylish character but also as an intelligent, kind, and fiercely independent individual.
This portrayal sends a powerful message to young audiences, emphasizing that beauty comes in various forms and that intelligence and determination are equally important qualities to cherish. However, Greta Gerwig’s giddily stylized vision of a doll movie which stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling is based on a doll named ‘Barbie’.
I guess everyone knows that ‘Barbie’ is the world’s most famous doll. So, who was the inspiration for Barbie?? Here’s everything we know.
First Barbie doll
The first Barbie doll was released at the American Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. She was dressed in a black and white striped swimsuit and had her signature ponytail. This was the same look which had been recreated for Robbie in the Barbie movie.
Inventor of Barbie
Barbie was invented by Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler. The famous toy company began life as a start-up in 1945 set up by Ruth Handler, along with her husband Elliot and Harold “Matt” Mattson, with the name Mattel being a combination of Elliot and Matt’s names. However, it wouldn’t be until 1959 that the company launched the doll that would seal their success.
Read more: Will Margot Robbie-Ryan Gosling’s ‘Barbie’ stream on Netflix?
Who was the inspiration for Barbie?
The idea for Barbie came while Handler was on holiday in Europe with her 15-year-old daughter Barbara. Whilst there, she spotted a doll called Bild Lilli which was a joke gift aimed at adults.
Handler bought three of them, taking them back to America, and started working on a design of a similar doll aimed at children.
Is Barbie based on a real person?
Although Barbie is not based on a real person, she is named after Handler’s daughter, Barbara, with the doll’s full name being Barbara Millicent Roberts.
Concept behind Barbie
According to the Barbie website, Handler wanted to create ‘a doll that showed girls they had choices’, after discovering toys for her daughter were aimed at ‘being a mom or caregiver’.
