The legendary Barbie celebrates her 66th birthday this year. The doll was presented by Ruth Handler at the American Toy Fair in 1959 and was an instant hit. She named the fashion doll “Barbara” after her daughter. Today, the doll is a role model for older children of a self-confident modern woman who pursues many professions and serves as a role model. Until 31.12.2025 we are showing the world's most famous doll in 6 decades in a special exhibition.
66 years of Barbie - from toy to cult object
The history and development of Barbie from toy to cult object is a fascinating journey that begins in 1959 and spans more than six decades, encompassing various social, cultural and economic aspects.
Since the fashion doll Barbie first saw the light of day at the New York Toy Fair on March 9, 1959, mankind has been divided into supporters and opponents of the blonde doll. For all her normality and niceness, there is always something to be said about the 29 centimeter tall vinyl doll that evokes controversy. Barbie, as her opponents have often overlooked, comes from the tradition of dress-up dolls, which have been dressed in hats, furs, petticoats and traditional costumes since the late 17th century. Barbie deliberately replaces the classic baby doll, which was originally used to prepare girls for their role as housewife and mother. The introduction of Barbie revolutionized the concept of the dress-up doll. Barbie is a three-dimensional, plastic doll that not only wears clothes, but also has her own identity and personality. This allows children not only to change the appearance of the doll, but also to develop stories around the character. Imitating certain lifestyles, fictional stories, adventures and journeys stimulates the imagination of adolescent girls and boys. It enables them to slip into every conceivable female and male role and deal with them, to familiarize themselves with the world through play and to develop their own fashion taste.
Despite her popularity, Barbie also faces criticism - particularly because of her unrealistic body proportions and the influence she has on the self-image of young girls. Feminists and critical educators see the fashion doll as a woman who leads a dependent life characterized by consumerism, superficiality and beauty mania. Mattel responded by introducing new models with more realistic body shapes, which contributed to the modernization of Barbie's image.
Barbie challenges gender-specific stereotypes by showing her in professions traditionally dominated by men. This encourages girls to strive for new career goals. An open and value-free world view is shaped in children's bedrooms, as exemplified by today's modern democratic society. Barbie is and remains an educational and important development in doll toys.
Barbie has adapted to social changes over the course of six decades. Fashionably, culturally and politically, Barbie enthusiastically follows every movement. At the age of 66, Barbie remains beautiful and “forever young” by adapting to the passing of time, the ever-changing mainstream and identifying with new role models with each new decade.
Barbie has recently been recognized not only as a toy for children, but also as a fashion icon. International fashion designers feel inspired by the doll. Designer collaborations and limited editions have further cemented her status as a cult object, making her a coveted collector's item.
She has undergone a major evolution over the past 66 years; the world's most famous plastic doll is both a role model and a decal. And that is why she is so fascinating. Barbie is an expression of the emancipated female world, she stands for fashion, beauty and female self-determination.
Barbie is the most famous doll in the world.
