Happy 50th Birthday Barbie!

Barbie turns 50 today! Inventor Ruth Handler introduced the fashion doll at the American International Toy Fair on March 9. 1959. The doll’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Handler named her after her daughter Barbara, who was the inspiration behind the making of the first real adult doll for children to play with. The doll has made a killing for Mattel, despite almost annual controversies.

And it was just over twenty years ago that we played with ours. Here's to Peaches n' Cream and Jewels Secret and Barbie and the Rockers and Skipper and Ken (the plastic and real hair ones.)

Here's to the Barbie Ferrari (Lisa's) and the Barbie Corvette (Michele's). Here's to begging moms to buy new clothes at every opportunity. Here's to finding missing plastic heels on the carpet.

And here's to Barbie's Blog: http://www.alldolldup.typepad.com/