Barbie: Evolution Over Time
60 years has behind him the best known doll on the planet. We speak, neither more nor less, than Barbie, that doll that has been and continues to be today the favorite of many children when it comes to playing.
However, in these 60 years everything has evolved and, therefore, Barbie was not going to be less. This doll has always been a symbol of feminine power and has known how to adapt to changes, sometimes better and sometimes not so much. Today we want to review the evolution of this doll and show, thus, from its beginnings to the present day.
The beginnings of Barbie
The founder of Mattel, a company dedicated to the toy industry, wanted to create a doll in honor of his daughter Barbara. From that creation was born what today is still one of the most used dolls to play in childhood, Barbie.
The doll marked a great number of generations. Generations that grew and changed just like the doll did: the shape of the face, the features and even the hair evolved according to the styles that were worn at the time.
Ken, Barbie’s partner
Due to the success of the doll, in 1961 the Mattel company decided that Barbie needed a romantic partner, at which point the figure of Ken appeared. Although Ken has also undergone changes throughout history, these have not been as important or significant as those of the doll have been. His hair and clothing evolved, but this doll has always been in the background.
Professions representation
During her 60 years of life, Barbie has displayed more than 200 different occupations. When the doll hit the market, she was dressed in a black and white striped swimsuit. However, over the years, Barbie entered the world of work.
Astronaut, pilot, veterinarian, teacher and even in recent years an engineer. This doll invited girls to dream of their desired profession and to be aware that they could be whatever they wanted. Because the girls of the generations who grew up with this doll not only had one in their power, but in most cases there were several Barbie dolls that they had in their home.
Racial diversity
In her early days, Barbie was presented as a very light-skinned blonde doll. However, their presence in so many different countries made the company realize that every girl in the world wanted a doll similar to them and their physical characteristics.
That was the beginning of one of the most significant changes of the doll over the years and that is that, today, Barbie can be purchased with up to 14 different faces and even. up to 8 different skin tones. In this way, all girls have the possibility to choose the doll they like the most or one that is similar to themselves. A good way to respect everyone equally.
2016, the year of reality
Perhaps one of the negative points that this doll has had and, therefore, that it transferred to the girls who acquired them, were its measurements and its position of ‘always being perfect’. Barbie has always been shown as a woman with impossible measures, very groomed at all times, in heels and heavily made up.
Although a little late due to all the problems that the physique causes in girls and young people today, Mattel created a new batch of Barbies in 2016.
The change that occurs in the wrist is the body. Mattel says goodbye to perfection and creates new dolls with different weights and heights. In this way, girls will be able to choose between a taller, shorter or even a curvy Barbie, showing a much more real look than today’s woman.
2019, the year of inclusion
If in 2016 Mattel created a collection of this doll with measurements of real women, in 2019 it has decided to bet on dolls with physical disabilities. Therefore, in this way, today, we can also see Barbie in a wheelchair or with an orthopedic leg in stores.
