Ruth handler, daughter

HISTORY

• Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts.
• Barbie was named after Ruth Handler’s daughter, Barbara, and Ken after her son, Kenneth.
• She is from (fictional) Willows, Wisconsin, where she attended high school.
• Barbie’s official birthday is March 9, 1959, the day she was unveiled to the toy industry during New York Toy Fair.
• Barbie first appeared in her iconic black-and-white striped swimsuit.
• Barbie was joined by Ken in 1961.
• The first Barbie doll was sold for $3.00.
• The first Barbie commercial aired during the Mickey Mouse Club in 1959.
• Barbie doll’s signature color is Barbie Pink (PMS 219).
• Barbie stands 11.5 inches tall.
• The best-selling Barbie doll ever was 1992 Totally Hair™ Barbie, which featured floor-length hair.

CAREERS

• Barbie has had over 250 inspirational careers including astronaut, pilot, firefighter, journalist, and entrepreneur to name a few.
• Barbie traveled into space in 1965, four years before man walked on the moon.
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  Biography of Ruth Handler, Inventor of Barbie Dolls

  Ruth Handler (November 4, 1916–April 27, 2002) was an American inventor who created the iconic Barbie doll in 1959 (the doll was named after Handler's daughter Barbara). Barbie was introduced to the world at the American Toy Fair in New York City. The Ken doll was named after Handler's son and was introduced two years after Barbie debuted. Handler and her husband were co-founders of Mattel, a company that manufactures a variety of popular toys.

  Fast Facts: Ruth Handler

  • Known For: Handler founded the toy company Mattel with her husband and invented the Barbie doll.
  • Born: November 4, 1916 in Denver, Colorado
  • Parents: Jacob and Ida Mosko
  • Died: April 27, 2002 in Los Angeles, California
  • Spouse: Elliot Handler (m. 1938-2002)
  • Children: 2

  Early Life

  Handler was born Ruth Marianna Mosko on November 4, 1916, in Denver, Colorado. Her parents were Jacob and Ida Mosko. She married Elliot Handler, her high school boyfriend, in 1938.

  Mattel

  With Harold "Matt" Matson, Elliot created a garage worksho

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  There’s More to Barbie Creator Ruth Handler’s Story than Barbie Shares

  The Barbie doll debuted in 1959 and has since become one of the most iconic children’s toys of all time. Now the character is headlining one of the summer’s most anticipated movies, Greta Gerwig’s live-action Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

  But, surprisingly, the character that inspired Mattel Inc. cofounder Ruth Handler, who’s played by Rhea Perlman in the film, to create Barbie wasn’t meant for kids at all. The doll’s origins stem from comic strips in post–World War II era Germany featuring a risqué character named Bild Lilli. The irreverent and sexually suggestive Lilli inspired a novelty doll for European men, which ultimately caught the eye of Handler and led to Barbie’s creation.

  Here’s everything you need to know about Handler, her inspirations, and how she created the Barbie empire.

  Handler’s Big Idea
  

  Ruth—born Ruth Mosko on November 4, 1916, in Denver—moved to California at age 19 and married her high school sweetheart, Elliot Handler, in 1938. Their partnership ma