Happy 50th birthday, Barbie!

This Monday, March 9th, marks the 50th anniversary of Barbie Millicent Roberts’ (who knew she had parents) debut at the New York Toy Fair.

There is a great photo retrospective of her life(?) at Time.com. Until, I saw it, I had no idea what a renegade and feminist she was.

In 1961, Barbie’s career opportunities were limited to a singer, ballerina, registered nurse or American Airlines flight attendant. But Barbie was about to go crashing through that glass ceiling.

In 1965, four years before man landed on the moon, Mattel introduced the first astronaut Barbie (far left).

They even gave Astronaut Barbie helmet head, so people would take her seriously.

Then in 1971, Barbie lost her way. She was given a suntan, straight hair and a California lifestyle. (Thus pretty much destroying the self image of pale, curly dark-haired East Coast girls everywhere.)

After 20 decadent years of beach parties, dream houses and private jets, Barbie decided to travel the world to try to find deeper meaning in her life.

She joined the military in 1989 and in 1992, Mattel even went so far as to have her camouflage outfit approved by the Pentagon.

The enemy snipers could never hit Barbie, because she was 90 percent hairdo.

Her travels inspired The Dolls of the World collectors series, which included Barbies from different countries, all in their native garb.

I guess it would’ve been inappropriate to make the Russian Barbie a mail order bride, with light blue eye shadow and a bottle of vodka.

Seeing the world inspired her to try to make it a better place. So, in 1992, 16 years prior to Hillary’s historic run, Barbie made a bid for the presidency. Disappointed and disillusioned by her loss. She turned to a life of speed. 

In 1998, almost seven years before the first woman drove in an Indy Car series, Barbie the NASCAR driver was introduced.

Then in 2004, after 43 years of dating (and still no ring), Ken and Barbie (aka Kenbie or Barbken) split, making headlines around the world.

By 2005, Barbie had grown tired of life in the spotlight. She decided to re-invented herself, yet again, and headed behind the scenes to become Producer Barbie. 
 

Personally, the thought of a 7 year old  girl in her room with her Barbie screaming, “You make that f*ing deal happen or I’m going to serve you your ass on a stick” is a little frightening.

Happy 50th Birthday, Barbie! I apologize to you for never before realizing what a strong, talented, smart, inspirational woman you are.  Here’s to 50 more.

Comments

[Elle]

"I guess it would’ve been inappropriate to make the Russian Barbie a mail order bride, with light blue eye shadow and a bottle of vodka."

This killed me, Jenny.

I never had any actual Barbies, but I did have one of those Skipper dolls (her cousin? Roommate? Secret psycho stalker?). She had a midriff-bearing safari outfit going on. Guess your bellybutton needs to breathe while you're rescuing elephants, apparently.

[Alexandria]

Speaking of Barbie, did you see this?

http://www.catwalkqueen.tv/2009/03/ken_and_barbie.html

[jenny]

Hey Elle,
Yes, I think Skipper was just a wannabe. Kind of like Britney is to Madonna. Or that woman who just had 8 kids is to Angelina, but sounds like she had a sense of style while rescuing the elephants which is always admirable.
Jenny

[jenny]

Hey Alexandria,
That's so funny. I don't even think Madonna got that much attention on her 50th (she's probably pissed:)
thanks
jenny

[Jessica]

I had a rather impressive set of hand-me-down Barbies from my older sisters. Several featured stirrup pants from the eighties, and had long forgotten their original career. They may have been presidents and racecar drivers and astronauts before, but once I got my hands on them they were all retrained as members of the UNICORN RESCUE SQUAD.

[jenny]

Hey Jessica,
Unicorn rescue squad is the most noble profession of all. I so would have loved that Barbie. I'm sure a lot more girls would want to be on the Unicorn Rescue Squad than be president:)
jenny

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