Latest news with #Lillis
DW
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- DW
Barbie's inspiration was a fictional German call girl – DW – 08/13/2025
70 years ago, a German tabloid newspaper created the Lilli doll, a fantasy figure for men based on a cartoon character, which eventually inspired another iconic doll — Barbie. Needing to fill some space in the first issue of Germany's tabloid newspaper in 1952, comic artist Reinhard Beuthien came up with Lilli, a sensual character designed to attract male readers. Lilli's titillating comic strip adventures were like scenes from an erotic film: Sometimes she talked about a long-distance truck driver who "helped out" when her car broke down, leaving her dress covered in oily hand prints. Another time she teases a policeman on a beach where two-piece swimsuits are banned, asking him: "Which part should I take off?" Who would have thought that a version of this sexualized caricature with her ample bosom and red pout would one day be ever present in the lives of millions of children? But when Lilli became a doll in August 1955 — known as Bild Lilli — she soon inspired the creation of Barbie, the world's best-selling "fashion" toy. According to publisher Axel Springer, Lilli was a "sassy secretary." But various sources interpret her more as a high class call girl or escort. Whether secretary or sex worker, one thing is certain: Lilli was not intended as a children's toy. With her scantily clad curves, high blonde ponytail and high heels, Lilli's aesthetic was more akin to that of a pin-up girl. Today, critics would say that Lilli is portrayed purely as an object of desire created to satiate the male gaze. Nevertheless, still describes her today as "cheeky, sexy, independent!' Lilli quickly became so popular with the paper's predominantly male readership that turned her into a plastic doll in 1953. She was reportedly a popular gift among men, including for bachelor parties and was sold in tobacco shops, bars and kiosks. Between 1955 and 1964, sold around 130,000 Lillis with various outfits and accessories that would also attract a female audience. Lilli quickly became a bestseller, even beyond Germany's borders. Perhaps the scantily clad Lilli would still be gracing the pages of the newspaper today, if it hadn't been for Ruth Handler. Handler, the co-founder of the toy company Mattel, discovered Lilli by chance in a shop window while on vacation in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 1956; she and her daughter, Barbara, were thrilled. Handler had several Lillis sent to Los Angeles. In 1959, Barbie — named after Handler's daughter Barbara and modeled after Lilli — was launched and has since been sold more than a billion times. Mattel acquired the rights to the Bild Lilli doll in 1964 and stopped its production. Barbie has since been a dominant presence in children's bedrooms the world over, and was the inspiration for one of the highest grossing films of all time. And what became of Lilli? The original comic strip ended in 1961 after the "cheeky, independent" secretary married her boyfriend Peter and disappeared forever. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
DW
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- DW
Barbie's inspiration was a German call girl – DW – 08/13/2025
70 years ago, a German tabloid newspaper created the Lilli doll, a fantasy figure for men based on a cartoon character, which eventually inspired another iconic doll — Barbie. Needing to fill some space in the first issue of Germany's tabloid newspaper in 1952, comic artist Reinhard Beuthien came up with Lilli, a sensual character designed to attract male readers. Lilli's titillating comic strip adventures were like scenes from an erotic film: Sometimes she talked about a long-distance truck driver who "helped out" when her car broke down, leaving her dress covered in oily hand prints. Another time she teases a policeman on a beach where two-piece swimsuits are banned, asking him: "Which part should I take off?" Who would have thought that a version of this sexualized caricature with her ample bosom and red pout would one day be ever present in the lives of millions of children? But when Lilli became a doll in August 1955 — known as Bild Lilli — she soon inspired the creation of Barbie, the world's best-selling "fashion" toy. According to publisher Axel Springer, Lilli was a "sassy secretary." But various sources interpret her more as a high class call girl or escort. Whether secretary or sex worker, one thing is certain: Lilli was not intended as a children's toy. With her scantily clad curves, high blonde ponytail and high heels, Lilli's aesthetic was more akin to that of a pin-up girl. Today, critics would says that Lilli is portrayed purely as an object of desire created to satiate the male gaze. Nevertheless, still describes her today as "cheeky, sexy, independent!' Lilli quickly became so popular with the paper's predominantly male readership that turned her into a plastic doll in 1953. She was reportedly a popular gift among men, including for bachelor parties and was sold in tobacco shops, bars and kiosks. Between 1955 and 1964, sold around 130,000 Lillis with various outfits and accessories that would also attract a female audience. Lilli quickly became a bestseller, even beyond Germany's borders. Perhaps the scantily clad Lilli would still be gracing the pages of the newspaper today, if it hadn't been for Ruth Handler. Handler, the co-founder of the toy company Mattel, discovered Lilli by chance in a shop window while on vacation in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 1956; she and her daughter, Barbara, were thrilled. Handler had several Lillis sent to Los Angeles and eventually bought the rights to the doll. In 1959, Barbie — named after Handler's daughter Barbara and modeled after Lilli — was launched on the market and has since been sold more than a billion times. Mattel acquired the rights to the Bild Lilli doll in 1964 and stopped its production. Barbie has since been a dominant presence in children's bedrooms the world over, and was the inspiration for one of the highest grossing films of all time. And what became of Lilli? The original comic strip ended in 1961 after the "cheeky, independent" secretary married her boyfriend Peter and disappeared forever. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The Journal
30-04-2025
- The Journal
Retired Defence Forces member jailed for grooming and sexually abusing two young girls in 1980s
A RETIRED MEMBER of the Defence Forces was today jailed for sexually abusing and grooming two young girls in the 1980s. Eddie Lillis was jailed for three and half years at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. He had denied sexually abusing the two girls, who were aged between three and eight, when he groomed and abused them in the 1980s. Judge Colin Daly lifted a court order restricting the media from identifying Lillis, (63), of Shannonvale, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick. Shortly after Lillis sexually assaulted his first victim, Girl A, she told her mother what happened and gave a formal statement to gardaí. However the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the time directed there was not enough evidence to prosecute Lillis. Lillis went on to abuse Girl B, the court heard. Four decades later in 2020, after Girl A made another complaint and gardaí received a separate complaint from Lillis' second victim, Girl B, gardaí re-investigated the case and the DPP ordered Lillis to face trial. Lillis pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Following his trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, he was convicted on four of the five charges, and the jury could not reach a decision on the fifth count. In her victim impact statement which she read in court, Girl A stated: 'If Eddie Lillis had been held accountable when I made my original complaint, (Girl B) may have avoided his depraved actions. 'My hope is that by making his crimes known to the public Eddie Lillis will never have the opportunity to harm another child.' Both women said they came forward to gardaí to 'protect other little girls' from Lillis, or indeed, any other 'paedophile'. Advertisement They said they wanted to show 'other victims of historic sexual abuse that it is never too late to pursue justice'. Lillis, who was supported in court by some of his family, said through his barrister that despite him having contested the trial, he accepted the jury's decision. Girl A stated that the 'heinous' sex acts carried out on her by Lillis changed her from being 'a carefree, innocent six-year old little girl, to feeling confused and terrified'. 'The person who hurt me was someone who was supposed to protect and serve our community. 'Instead, he took advantage of my innocence and vulnerability.' Girl A, who was sexually assaulted by Lillis a few days prior her First Holy Communion, praised her parents 'who instantly believed me and brought me to make a statement to gardaí'. She said she continued to struggle afterwards with anxiety knowing 'that there are many more Eddie Lillis's out there'. 'He is now a convicted paedophile, I am relieved that my allegations were finally taken seriously by the DPP and that (the defendant) is being held to account,' Girl A concluded. Girl B told the court that, Lillis's sexual assaults on her had 'warped' her childhood, and that 'despite extensive and ongoing therapy, the psychological scars never go away.' Girl B said the abuse made her fearful for her own daughter and 'all little girls because of men like Edward Lillis', and that her fear for other children convinced her 'to come forward once and for all'. 'He (Lillis) maintained his innocence and put my family and I through the further trauma of a trial, he has never shown a midget of remorse.' Neither victim wished to be identified but they said they supported the court lifting reporting restrictions on identifying Lillis. Lillis' barrister, senior counsel, Anthony Salmon, asked Judge Colin Daly to take into account Lillis's 'service to the State, and his previous good character until his convictions caught up with him'. Jailing Lillis, Judge Daly said the married father of three, 'took advantage' of his position of trust in the community 'to abuse the two children'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
30-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
Ex-Defence Forces member, 63, unmasked as ‘depraved paedophile' as he's jailed for sexual abuse of 2 young girls
THE is the retired member of the Defence Forces unmasked today as a 'depraved paedophile' who preyed upon and sexually assaulted two little girls forty years ago. Eddie Lillis was jailed for three and a half years at Advertisement He was locked up after he denied sexually abusing two girls, aged between three and eight when he groomed and abused them in the 1980s. Judge Colin Daly lifted a Shortly after Lillis sexually assaulted his first victim, Girl A, she told her mother what happened and gave a formal statement to Gardai. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions at the time directed there was not enough evidence to prosecute Lillis. Advertisement Read more in News Lillis went on to abuse Girl B, the court heard. However, four decades later, in 2020, after Girl A made another complaint and gardai received a separate complaint from Lillis' second victim, cops reinvestigated the case and the DPP ordered Lillis to face trial. Lillis pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Following his trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court he was convicted on four of the five charges, and the jury could not reach a decision on the fifth count. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun In her victim impact statement which she read in court, Girl A stated: 'If Eddie Lillis had been held accountable when I made my original complaint, (Girl B) may have avoided his depraved actions. 'My hope is that by making his crimes known to the public Eddie Lillis will never have the opportunity to harm another child.' HOPE TO PROTECT OTHERS Both women said they came forward to gardai to 'protect other little girls' from Lillis, or indeed, any other 'paedophile'. They said they wanted to show 'other victims of historic sexual abuse that it is never too late to pursue justice'. Advertisement Lillis, who was supported in court by some of his family said, through his barrister, that despite him having contested the trial, he accepted the jury's decision. 'HEINOUS' ACTS Girl A stated that the 'heinous' sex acts carried out on her by Lillis changed her from being 'a carefree, innocent six-year-old little girl, to feeling confused and terrified'. Girl A, who was sexually assaulted by Lillis a few days prior to her First Holy Communion, praised her parents 'who instantly believed me and brought me to make a statement to gardai'. Girl B told the court that Lillis' sexual assaults on her had 'warped' her childhood, and that 'despite extensive and ongoing therapy, the psychological scars never go away'. Advertisement She added that the abuse made her fearful for her own daughter and 'all little girls because of men like Edward Lillis', and that her fear for other children convinced her 'to come forward once and for all'. NO REMORSE Girl B said: 'He (Lillis) maintained his innocence and put my family and I through the further trauma of a trial, he has never shown a smidgeon of remorse.' Neither victim wished to be identified but they said they supported the court lifting reporting restrictions on identifying Lillis. Jailing Lillis, Judge Daly said the married father-of-three, 'took advantage' of his position of trust in the community 'to abuse the two children'. Advertisement 1 Eddie Lillis was jailed for three and a half years at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court today Credit: Brendan Gleeson
BreakingNews.ie
30-04-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
'Depraved paedophile': Former soldier jailed for sexually assaulting young girls in 1980s
Retired member of the Defence Forces, Eddie Lillis, was unmasked on Wednesday as a 'depraved paedophile' who preyed upon and sexually assaulted two little girls, 40 years ago. Lillis was jailed for three and a half years at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court after he denied sexually abusing the two girls, who were aged between three and eight, when he groomed and abused them in the 1980s. Advertisement Judge Colin Daly lifted a court order restricting the media from identifying Lillis, (63), of Shannonvale, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick. Shortly after Lillis sexually assaulted his first victim, Girl A, she told her mother what happened and gave a formal statement to gardaí, however the Director of Public Prosecutions , at the time, directed there was not enough evidence to prosecute Lillis. Lillis went on to abuse Girl B, the court heard. However, four decades later, in 2020, after Girl A made another complaint and gardaí received a separate complaint from Lillis' second victim, Girl B, gardaí re-investigated the case and the DPP ordered Lillis to face trial. Advertisement Lillis pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Following his trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court he was convicted on four of the five charges, and the jury could not reach a decision on the fifth count. In her victim impact statement which she read in court, Girl A stated: 'If Eddie Lillis had been held accountable when I made my original complaint, (Girl B) may have avoided his depraved actions.' 'My hope is that by making his crimes known to the public Eddie Lillis will never have the opportunity to harm another child.' Both women said they came forward to gardai to 'protect other little girls' from Lillis, or indeed, any other 'paedophile'. Advertisement They said they wanted to show 'other victims of historic sexual abuse that it is never too late to pursue justice'. Lillis, who was supported in court by some of his family said, through his barrister, that, despite him having contested the trial, he accepted the jury's decision. Girl A stated that the 'heinous' sex acts carried out on her by Lillis changed her from being 'a carefree, innocent six-year old little girl, to feeling confused and terrified'. 'The person who hurt me was someone who was supposed to protect and serve our community - Instead, he took advantage of my innocence and vulnerability.' Advertisement 'I had never seen a man's penis before, and the thought and disgusting smell of his penis has stayed with me into adulthood and still makes me feel sick to my stomach.' Girl A, who was sexually assaulted by Lillis a few days prior her First Holy Communion, praised her parents 'who instantly believed me and brought me to make a statement to gardaí'. She said she continued to struggle afterwards with anxiety knowing 'that there are many more Eddie Lillis's out there'. 'It has affected my family who felt helpless in bringing this pedophile to justice, I watched it have a devastating impact on my parents and siblings,' she said. Advertisement 'The only reason I have put myself and my family through this is to keep other children safe from this man.' 'He is now a convicted paedophile, I am relieved that my allegations were finally taken seriously by the DPP and that (the defendant) is being held to account,' Girl A concluded. Girl B told the court that, Lillis's sexual assaults on her had 'warped' her childhood, and that 'despite extensive and ongoing therapy, the psychological scars never go away.' Girl B said the abuse made her fearful for her own daughter and 'all little girls because of men like Edward Lillis', and that her fear for other children convinced her 'to come forward once and for all'. World Former Britain's Got Talent finalist denies raping... Read More 'He (Lillis) maintained his innocence and put my family and I through the further trauma of a trial, he has never shown a midget of remorse.' Neither victim wished to be identified but they said they supported the court lifting reporting restrictions on identifying Lillis. Lillis' barrister, senior counsel, Anthony Salmon, asked Judge Colin Daly to take into account Lillis's 'service to the State, and his previous good character until his convictions caught up with him'. Jailing Lillis, Judge Daly said the married father of three, 'took advantage' of his position of trust in the community 'to abuse the two children'.
