9th March: Barbie Day

On March 9th, Barbie Day celebrates an iconic toy that premiered on this day in 1959. Barbie debuted at the American International Toy Fair in New York.

Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, and Ruth Handler created the fashion doll. While toymakers mass-produced toys for years, before Barbie, none of them had adult features. Barbie’s adult features made the toy a first of its kind. Interestingly, Barbie’s marketing strategy extensively relied on television advertising. For example, Barbie was the sole sponsor of the Mickey Mouse Club, marketing directly to children. It was a unique approach for the time. Estimates place over a billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide in over 150 countries.

Detractors often criticize Barbie for being an unattainable ideal of a woman. While her figure alone is unrealistic, over the years, Barbie evolved both in style and shape. In 2019, the Barbie brand honored pioneering women across several eras, as well. The modern Barbie offers positive role models in business, science, education, and more. Barbie continues to change, year after year, keeping up with the styles and the headlines.

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