Barbie

Barbie is a fashion doll created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler and manufactured by the American toy company Mattel. Launched in March 1959, the doll was inspired by the German Bild Lilli doll, which Handler encountered during a trip to Europe. Barbie was marketed as a teenage fashion model, and her full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Over the decades, Barbie has been a reflection of cultural trends, taking on hundreds of careers, from astronaut to surgeon to president, and has become a globally recognized icon.

The doll's introduction revolutionized the toy industry by presenting a three-dimensional adult figure for children to project their aspirations onto, a stark contrast to the baby dolls that dominated the market at the time. Barbie's world quickly expanded to include a wide circle of friends and family, most notably her on-again, off-again boyfriend Ken, her little sister Skipper, and a diverse group of friends. The brand has consistently evolved, introducing dolls of various ethnicities, body types, and abilities to promote inclusivity.

Beyond the toy aisle, Barbie has become a pervasive multimedia franchise. The character has starred in a long-running series of direct-to-video and streaming animated films, numerous television specials, web series, and video games. This extensive narrative universe has given Barbie a distinct personality and voice, transforming her from a static doll into a dynamic character who embarks on adventures in fantasy kingdoms, modern metropolises, and historical settings, often emphasizing themes of friendship, empowerment, and self-discovery.