Ponytail number 1 with hand painted face German Bild Lilli Doll
Barbie's History
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Ruth Handler is the creator of the Barbie Doll. In 1945 her Husband, Elliott Handler cofounded Mattel along with Harold Mattson. They merged their names together to come up with the name Mattel. (The Matt from Mattson and El from Elliott.)

It wasn’t until the 1950’s when Ruth presented an idea to Mattel about a doll, she’d like them to produce. The idea came to her when she watched her daughter play with her paper dolls. Mattel wasn’t interested in her idea.

In 1956, Ruth made a trip to Europe. While shopping in Lucerne Switzerland, she spotted the German made Bild Lilli doll. It was just the kind of doll she wanted to produce. Ruth bought three of the dolls and gave one to her daughter Barbara to play with. She took the other two back to Mattel to show them her idea and this time liked it. During 1957 Mattel began designing and testing the doll. In 1958 she was patented and then finally produced. Barbie’s first debut was at the International American Toy Fair in New York City on March 9th, 1959. Mattel eventually purchased the rights to the Bid Lili doll and in 1964 stopped producing it.

My Vintage Barbies
Ruth Handler
1959: Elliott, Ruth, Barbara and Kenneth Handler
1961: Ruth and Elliott Handler
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Hand Painted Face
 (#1 Ponytail)
German Bild Lilli
Disclaimers
The 1960's & 1970's
The 1960's were booming for Mattel and life was good in the toy industry! So good, that by 1965 Mattel was the number one toy producer in the United States.

It wasn't until 1970 when problems started arising. There was a devastating fire which destroyed Mattel’s Mexico plant. July 1971 brought the crippling 130 day dockworkers strike, which stopped shipments from coming into the United States from Mattel’s plant in Asia. By 1973 Mattel’s stock had fallen, and there were understandable concerns when it was discovered that Mattel had released false reports over a two year period, uncovering a thirty-two million dollar loss. This eventually prompted an investigation by the Security and Exchange Commission. By 1975 the investigation was complete, and Ruth Handler, the original creator of Barbie and original owner of Mattel (with her husband Elliot), were forced to resign and leave the company. Seymour Rosenberg, who was the V.P. and C.F.O. of Mattel, was fired. Ruth and Seymour pleaded no contest to the S.E.C. charges, and their sentences (which had included jail time) were reduced to fines and five hundred hours each of community service work every year for five consecutive years.

Mattel was looking for new ways to return to profitability, but by 1973 the quality of the Barbie doll was deteriorating. No longer did we see “real eyelashes”, and they began using more economical vinyl to make some of the dolls. It wasn't until 1976 that Mattel added "real eyelashes" back to one of their Barbies. She could be found only as a department store exclusive; #9599 "Beautiful Bride Barbie" and what a beauty!
Nuumber 9599 Beautiful Bride Barbie from 1976
Beautiful Bride Barbie
The 1980's
1980 was a new beginning for collectors. Three women got together (Helen Gaydarik, Ruth Cronk, and Fay Jordaens) and organized the very first National Barbie Doll convention which was held in New York City. About one hundred people attended. The second convention wasn't until 1982 in Troy, Michigan. About five hundred attended. 1982 marked the beginning of this becoming an annual event, which it still is today. Doll clubs from around the country organize these conventions, which include a different theme and location.
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Articles
The Early Years with Ken, Allan and Midge
The "Mod" Barbie Years 1967-1972
Click here for the History of the German Bild Lilli Doll
Allan
Babs
Brad & Curtis
Buffy (& Mrs. Beasley) & Carla
Cara
Casey
Chris
Christie
Fluff
Francie (1966-1971)
Francie (1972-1976)
Ginger
Jamie
Julia
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Ken (1961-1967)
Ken (1969-1976)
Midge
Miss America
PJ
Pretty Pairs (Lori, Nan, Angie)
Ricky
Skipper (1964-1971)
Skipper (1972-1976)
Skooter
Stacey
Steffie
Tiff
Todd
Truly Scrumptious
Tutti
Twiggy
Friends & Family
Barbie's Accessories
Barbie's Fashions 1959-1962
Barbie's Fashions 1963-1964
Barbie's Fashions 1965-1966
Barbie's Fashions 1967-1968
Barbie's Fashions 1969
Barbie's Fashions 1970
Barbie's Fashions 1971
Barbie's Fashions 1972
Barbie's Fashion Pak 1962-1965
Barbie's Fashion Pak 1966-1971
Barbie's Gift Sets
Francie Size Fashions 1966-1968
Francie Size Fashions 1969-1971
Francie Size Fashions 1972
Francie Size Gift Sets
Francie Size Pak Items
Ken Size Fashions 1961-1968
Ken Size Fashions 1969-1972
Ken's Gift Sets and Pak Items
Ricky's Fashions 1965-1966
Skipper Size Fashions 1964-1968
Skipper Size Fashions 1969-1972
Skipper Size Gift Sets
Skipper Size Pak Items
Tutti Size Fashions 1966-1968
Fashion
Mod Friends and Family
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Skipper and Friends
Advertising from the 1960's
Advertising from the 1970's
Barbie Trivia
Barbie Books
Barbie Doll Boxes (Early Years)
Barbie Doll Identification
Barbie Through the Years
Controversy
Fashion Booklets
Fashion Trends
History of Barbie
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Old Barbie Commercials
Prototype and Ooak Barbies
Release Date Chart 1959-1972
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A Barbie Christmas
Barbies Adventures
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Transportation
Shopping: My Vintage Barbies Store
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Totally Hair Whitney (1992)
Ponytail Barbie
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Montgomery Ward Reissue Ponytail Barbie
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Barbie - The Later Years (1974-1977)
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Holiday Barbies - Christmas, Halloween, and More
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Disclosure: eBay & Amazon Affiliate - When you click through to buy products I may earn a very small compensation. Your purchase helps keep My Vintage Barbies up to date for my readers. Thank you so much for your support!
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