50 years ago Barbie Millicent Roberts first appeared before the world of toys.
Barbie, as everyone called her, has become one of the most successful toy in history.
Ruth Handler watched her daughter Barbara play with paper dolls, and noticed that she
often enjoyed giving them adult roles.
At the time, most children's toy dolls were representations of infants.
Realizing that there could be a gap in the market, Handler suggested the idea of an adult-bodied
doll to her husband Elliot, a co-founder of the Mattel toy company.
During a trip to Europe in 1956 Ruth Handler saw a German doll called Bild Lilli.
The adult-figured doll was exactly what Handler had in mind, so she purchased three of them
and took them to Mattel.
The Lilli was based on a popular character appearing in a comic strip.
Lilli was a blonde bombshell, a working girl.
The Lilli doll was first sold in Germany in 1956.
Mattel acquired the rights to the Bild Lilli in 1964 . The first Barbie doll wore a black
and white zebra striped swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail, and was available as either
a blonde or brunette.
The doll was marketed as a "Teen-age Fashion Model," with her clothes created by Mattel
fashion designer Charlotte Johnson.
The first Barbie dolls were manufactured in Japan, with their clothes hand-stitched.
Around three hundred and fifty thousand Barbie’s were sold within a year.
According to Barbie's parents, the Mattel Company, 90% of all American girls between
3 and 10 have had at least one Barbie.
Today, however, Barbie is facing an identity crisis.
There are many rivals in market.
Bratz dolls, for example, came to life seven years ago.
They look more like today's pop stars with lots of makeup and miniskirts.
Bratz is a challenge for Barbie, as the company offers a wide variety of clothing too.
Indeed, sales have been going down over the past year, partly because of the world's economic
crisis.
Barbie still has a lot going for her.
More and more doll lovers all over the globe have become collectors.
They trade Barbies or buy them on eBay.
Other look for special and rare Barbie dolls, like Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind".
On the international scene, Barbie remains number one.
Although Mattel has been selling fewer Barbies in the United States over the past year.
In January Mattel opened its first Barbie store in Shanghai, where girls can shop, eat
or even become their own fashion designer.
Barbie is present in the virtual world at Barbiegirls.com.
users can play games and chat with other Barbie fans.
there are Facebook groups and YouTube channels.
Barbie has changed her image many times over the past decades.
Originally she wore blond pony tails and had bright red lips.
In the 80s she changed to a more colourful neon look.
For her 50th birthday Mattel is planning some big events.
Fashion designers from all over the world have been called to make new clothes for Barbie.
She is also scheduled to be a big star during a New York fashion week.
How long will Barbie stay on as a celebrity in the world of toys.
Hard to stay, but 50 is definitely not the age to retire.