Barbie

Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy company Mattel, Inc. and launched on March 9, 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll, inspired by the German Bild Lilli doll. Barbie has been an important part of the toy fashion doll market for over six decades.

The doll was designed to allow girls to imagine their futures beyond traditional roles, and over the decades Barbie has taken on a vast array of careers, from astronaut to surgeon to president. The brand has expanded to include a wide range of friends, family members, and accessories, including her longtime companion Ken.

Barbie has become a global cultural icon, sparking both admiration for its aspirational themes and criticism for promoting unrealistic body standards. In response, Mattel has diversified the Fashionistas line to include more body types, skin tones, and abilities. The brand's immense popularity has led to a massive multimedia franchise, including books, video games, web series, and a long-running series of animated films.