Barbie

Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy company Mattel, Inc. and launched on March 9, 1959. The doll was created by businesswoman Ruth Handler, who was inspired by the German Bild Lilli doll, and designed to be a three-dimensional, adult-bodied doll that girls could use to project their future selves. Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, and over the decades she has been presented in a vast array of careers, fashions, and ethnicities.

The doll became a cultural icon and a cornerstone of Mattel's success, expanding into a massive media franchise that includes films, television series, web series, video games, and music. Barbie has often been at the center of cultural conversations regarding body image, feminism, and consumerism, and her evolving design and career choices have reflected changing societal norms.

Beyond the doll itself, the Barbie brand has encompassed a wide range of friends, family members, and pets, creating an entire universe centered in Malibu and other fictional locales. The brand's longevity and global recognition have made Barbie one of the most famous and best-selling toys in history.