Monday, March 9, 2009

happy birthday

...to Barbie

The ever popular Barbie doll turned 50 today. She was introduced at a toy fair on March 9, 1959 as a teenage model by Mattel. The picture here is what the Barbie of 1959 looked like. Since then, Barbie has changed her look to fit the times. She has taken on countless roles that vary anywhere from an astronaut and doctor to a ballet dancer and lifeguard. She has been the subject of many controversies and lawsuits over the years, but has withstood them all and has remained a beloved childhood doll to most young girls.

I was one of those girls. I loved playing with Barbie, Ken, and all their friends for many years during my childhood. I had cases that doubled as housing structures. I had furniture and accessories. And clothes... boy, did I have quite the assortment of clothes. I never tired of creating my Barbie world, complete with complex relationships, ever-changing scenarios, and of course, constant wardrobe changes; role playing at it's finest.

Sadly, my sister and I gave away our Barbies once we felt like we outgrew them, not even imagining that they might one day become collector's items. I wish I had held on to a couple of them for the sake of nostalgia. I've heard that some stores are selling a replica of the original Barbie at the original selling price - $3.00. I may have to pick one up... for nostalgia's sake.

7 comments:

Susan said...

My two daughters had Barbie's and all the assorted gear and Ken dolls.
Susan

MightyMom said...

I never was much of a barbie fan. my brother played with them more than I did....if you count cutting hair and drawing on them playing. course a lot of that is because I didn't have anyone to play with. makes a big difference. mostly I read. now if any store wants to start selling little golden books at their original 35cent price (HARDBACK) I"ll just be all over that!! (yes, I have quite a few with 35c in the upper right corner...most of mine say 85 though and today it's about $2.50 last I looked.

Melissa said...

I have my Barbies from when I was a kid. But Baby Girl isn't that interested. She pulls them out from time to time, but doesn't really play with them much...

Anonymous said...

I just knew you'd get nostalgic over the Barbie ad offering them at the original $3.00. Enjoy!

Christine said...

I loved my Barbie Dolls but like you gave them away. I do have my daughter's dolls. I am the official keeper of the Barbies. It will be nice for my grand daughters to be able to play with their mother's dolls. We have some of the furniture that I made as well. I was busy making Barbie furniture when I was pregnant with my first. Good thing the baby was a girl!

Jamey said...

What a cool post! I always liked my dolls better than my barbies, but I had tons of barbies too. I had the carrying case that converted to the house and I had a barbie corvette. My daughter now has the barbie jeep and the barbie swimming pool. She loves the pool! I didn't save any of my barbies but I think I will save hers!

Brenda Susan said...

Hi Diana, this is my first visit to you & I love this post on Barbie. I still have my one & only B-doll from 1960, she has a dark brunnette bubble styled after Jackie O. I enjoy your blog & will be back!