Latest news with #RuthHandler
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Scientists confirm woke change made to Barbie over the course of 35 years - so did you notice it?
Barbie is one of the most successful children's toys in history, spawning a multimedia franchise that includes merchandise, video games and a live-action film. Since US toy giant Mattel launched the original Barbie in 1959, more than 1 billion of the dolls have been sold worldwide. Certainly, Barbie's looks have been tweaked over the years to reflect changing beauty ideals and societal shifts. But according to a new study, one subtle change to Barbie has gone largely unnoticed – until now. Scientists in Australia have found that Barbies today have flatter feet than they did in past decades. Barbies are much less likely to be on tiptoes now because they don't come with high heels as much – but the researchers don't know if this is a deliberate change by Mattel. The multi-billion-dollar company could be bowing to pressure from health professionals who think high heels are bad for our posture. 'We found Barbie's foot posture change over time unexpected and fascinating, and perhaps something with deeper meaning or a Mattel executive direction we are unaware of,' the scientists say. By 1983, Barbie had become even more model-beautiful and future Mattel CEO Jill Barad thought the reason sales were flagging was because of the criticism the doll was sexist Barbie was created over 75 years ago by US inventor Ruth Handler, who saw a gap in the market after noticing not many children's dolls resembled adults. The first ever Barbie doll, which hit shelves in 1959, had a black-and-white striped swimsuit and a signature topknot ponytail, and stood on tiptoe to fit into high heels. But since this original iteration, many versions of the dolls have been released, all reflecting societal shifts in women's employment and body shape. In her early years, Barbie was typically sold as fashion designer, flight attendant, cheerleader or nurse. But since the turn of the century she's been a doctor, computer engineer, firefighter, footballer, a United States presidential candidate, and much more. 'Barbie is also committed to female empowerment, demonstrating "girls can do anything' through undertaking many traditionally male-dominated careers,' the experts say. For the study, lead study author Professor Cylie Williams of Monash University and colleagues performed an analysis of 2,750 Barbie dolls produced between 1959 and June 2024. According to the team, prior academic studies have assessed Barbie's body shape, but few have focused on the doll's iconic tiptoe posture. In 2023, a scene in the movie 'Barbie' drew popular attention to Barbie's foot posture, which is commonly in tiptoe posture to accommodate high heels Pictured, Barbie dolls with various footwear. From left to right, Barbie Fashionista (#171) has a high heel white ankle boot; Barbie Fashionista (#197) has a yellow platform heel with ankle straps; Barbie Interior Designer has ballet flats and a prosthetic limb; Barbie Paramedic has her workboots ready to go; Barbie Fashionista (#208) has Down Syndrome and uses sneakers to accommodate her ankle foot orthoses; Barbie Fashionista (#210) has comfy yellow slides Pictured, Barbie dolls at a Target store in San Leandro, California, April 2025. Mattel, the maker of Barbie dolls, recently said it's considering raising prices on their toys in the USA in response to tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump Between 1959 and 1980, 100 per cent of Barbie dolls had tiptoe feet (known as 'equinus'). But this changed to 91 per cent in the 1990s, 94 per cent in the 2000s, 72 per cent in the 2010s and 40 per cent in the 2020s. Interestingly, there were strong links between dolls representing people of colour and the tiptoe posture. But less strong links were found between flat feet and dolls with disabilities, such as those fitted with orthoses and prosthetics. Also, researchers found 'employed' versions of Barbie are more likely to have flat-foot posture than fashion-focused dolls – largely because dolls in careers are less likely to wear high heels. And generally, the proportion of fashion-focused Barbie dolls has decreased over the 75-year period, while the career-oriented dolls has increased. 'The very strong correlation between flat foot posture and employment sits well with evidence observing Barbie 'evolving' away from prioritising fashion over her career,' the experts say. In the live action movie, Barbie's friends found her sudden flat feet nauseating and even a cause for alarm. In the real world, meanwhile, health professionals have discouraged the use of high heeled footwear since the early 1900s due to issues such as permanent posture problem and foot pain. Barbie was created in 1959 by US inventor Ruth Handler (pictured here in 1999) who saw a gap in the market after noticing not many children's dolls resembled adults However, many of these health conditions are highly prevalent in the general population with low or no high heel use, according to the scientists. They conclude in their study, published in PLOS One, that women shouldn't feel forced out of high heels. 'Health professionals castigating high heels through public messaging, should remember that emphasising health benefits consistently drives positive behaviour change, over highlighting negative consequences. 'Barbie clearly makes sensible determinations regarding her body autonomy. 'High heel wearers should have that same ability.' Time to ditch the Barbie? Playing with thin dolls can make girls as young as FIVE want a slimmer body, scientists warn Thin dolls like Barbie can make children as young as five want a slimmer body, a study warns. Scientists asked girls between the ages of five and nine to play with two ultra-thin dolls, including Barbie, and two dolls portraying a more realistic body weight. The two ultra-thin dolls, both made by American toy giant Mattel, immediately reduced the girls' ideal body size, the researchers found. Meanwhile, the two realistic dolls - Dora and Lottie - seemed to have no such effects. Thin dolls, combined with exposure to 'thin ideals' in films, on TV and social media, could lead to body dissatisfaction in young girls, which has been shown to be a factor in the development of eating disorders.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Happy birthday, Barbie!
NEW YORK, N.Y. (WSAV) — Iconic doll Barbie is celebrating a milestone. She's turning 66 years old. According to NBC News, the first Barbie went on display on this date in 1959 at the American Toy Fair in New York City. Ruth Handler, who co-founded Mattel with her husband in 1945, was inspired by a doll named Lilli which was based on a German comic strip character, when she designed the original 11-inch-tall Barbie. The iconic toy exploded in popularity over the years, topping one billion dollars in sales annually by 1993 and eventually inspiring the 'Barbie' movie in 2023 that brought in over a billion dollars worldwide in ticket sales. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin library's ‘Barbie Superstar' exhibit visits the iconic doll's most extravagant era
Barbie dolls may have changed dramatically over the decades but there's little doubt they were at their most extravagent 40 to 50 years ago, an era being revisited at Gail Borden Public Library's new Barbie Superstar exhibit. 'The free-to-attend exhibit captures the glamor, vibrancy, big hair and eye-catching fashion that mirrored the glitz and sparkle of the late 1970s through the mid-1980s,' library spokeswoman Natalie Kiburg said. 'Barbie dolls and accessories from the superstar era capture the societal shifts, fashion trends and cultural movements of this time, including women's evolving roles in society.' The exhibit is making its debut at the downtown Elgin library, 270 N. Grove Ave., made possible by a local, private collector who offered her extensive collection to be put on display, Kiburg said. 'Our talented and creative team has also designed engaging and life-size Barbie add-ons for visitors, including photo ops, a touch-screen fashion game, dress-up chances and more,' she said. About 500 Barbie dolls will be on display through Monday, March 31, including some from the 2000s and a few of her gal pals and guy friends. 'This particular collection also shows how representation expanded during this era with trailblazing dolls like Black Barbie, Hispanic Barbie and Great Shape Barbie,' Kiburg said. With March being Women's History Month, it seemed like a good time to offer the exhibit, she said. Additionally, with the box office success of the 'Barbie' movie in 2023 and the 65th anniversary of the Mattel doll's release having just passed, they're hoping there's public interest in learning more about the iconic toy and her inventor, Ruth Handler, she said. In order to make the exhibit more interactive, the library is inviting patrons to share their favorite Barbie stories and dolls by emailing short videos to the library at photos@ In addition, they've scheduled several Barbie-related programs this month: 'Barbie: The History of America's Most Famous Doll' will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6. The program will relay the story behind Barbie's creation and the influence the doll has had on American culture. Registration is required. Fashionista Storytime will feature a Barbie cosplayer telling family friendly stories followed by a meet-and-greet from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 7, in the library's Meadows Community Rooms. No registration is required. 'Meet Ruth Handler, Barbie's Creator: The Story Behind her Dream Doll Creation' will feature Lynn Rymarz telling the story of Barbie's creator, Ruth Handler, at 1 p.m. at the Rakow Branch, 2751 W. Bowes Road, Elgin, and again at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, at the main library. Attendees are invited to bring their own Barbie dolls to show to the group. Registration is required. A screening of the 2023 'Barbie' movie will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30. Pink lemonade and cookies will be served, and guests are encouraged to wear pink clothing. Registration is required. To register for programs, visit the library, go to or call 847-429-4597. For more information on the exhibit, go to
