#1 Barbie doll

Barbie and Ken dolls were named after the children of Mattel’s founders, Ruth and Elliot Handler. Ruth watched her daughter, Barbara, pretending to be grown-up while playing with adult-type paper dolls. Ruth imagined a doll with interchangeable outfits and accessories for children. When the first Barbies were produced in 1959, like this first edition Barbie #1, two-thirds were blond and the rest were brunette. Ever since Barbie arrived on the fashion doll scene, she has been one of the world’s best-selling toys. By 1974, 90% of all girls in the United States ages 5–11 owned at least one Barbie!

 

When Barbie was featured in the 2012 exhibit, 100 Toys (& Their Stories) that Define Our Childhood, a follower posted to the museum’s social media, “I was 4 when the first Barbie was introduced and wanted one so I asked for Barbie for my birthday and Christmas. Finally, my great-grandmother bought me my first Barbie! I loved changing her clothes. I still have that Barbie my great-grandmother gave me and my granddaughters have played with her occasionally. What a fun thing to do—play Barbies again with my granddaughters!”