Barbie never went to Harvard (that we know of), but the papers of Ruth Handler, her creator, did 16 fun, surprising, and slightly bonkers facts we learned about the Barbie inventor and Mattel
Barbie’s first job was as a fashion model. Since then the doll has had more than 250 careers. And true to Ruth Handler’s desire to inspire young girls, Barbie has often been way ahead of her times. In 1965, some 13 years before women were admitted to the astronaut corps at NASA, Mattel introduced an astronaut Barbie.
4. “Earring Magic Ken” is considered the most financially successful Ken doll in Barbie history. You may remember “Earring Magic Ken” as one of the discontinued dolls hanging out with
9. In 1961, Barbie was joined by Kenneth Sean Carson, otherwise known as Ken. 10. Mattel released the first black doll to the Barbie line in 1969. 11. In 1967, Barbie released its first celebrityJEX0NL. 456 9 416 198 268 388 111 172 17