Today is
FRIDAY
March 9th
and it is the anniversary of the day the Barbie doll made its debut in 1959.
Therefore March 9th is National Barbie Day.
Created by Ruth Handler, Barbie’s full name is
I know.
I have always been a Barbie FAN, along with my sister. And if we weren’t outside playing in the dirt, we were in the house playing Barbies.
Today I’m dedicating my Friday Favorites to Barbie!
Favorite # ONE
Barbie’s Townhouse
(circa 1970)
Three levels of Barbie fun in the pink townhouse.
Complete with Barbie furniture and a personal elevator. Barbie LOVED living in this townhouse!
Favorite # TWO
Shoes
once again, we’re talking about shoes
specifically the Buster Brown variety.
Back in the day, shoes were a means of transportation, not only for your feet, but for your Barbie doll. Especially if she didn’t own a pink corvette.
Just bend her legs, set her inside, and VAROOOOM…
Favorite # THREE
Barbie’s Karosel Kitchen
The Karosel came complete with an oven that roasted chicken, a refrigerator that would light up, a sink with a “modern” faucet, a dishwasher, a washing machine, and a dryer with a built-in clothes basket. The kitchen would rotate with the push of a button and made for hours of fun.
Favorite # FOUR
Sweet Sixteen Barbie
Sweet Sixteen Barbie came with her own compact and real makeup.
Barbie looked pretty in her pink party dress and even prettier once her makeup had been applied!
Favorite # FIVE
Barbie’s Peeps
And first on the list is Barbie’s littler sister
Skipper
The Skipper doll (Skipper Roberts) was created in 1964.
Although she wasn’t as cute as Barbie, Mattel kept trying and in 1975 we were introduced to
Growing Up Skipper
Just turn her arm and
voilà
You could “make her grow from a young girl to a teenager in seconds”.
If you have never heard of this little doll, watch this commercial
watch closely
There was also
Barbie’s dear friend
Midge
Who was created in 1963 and looked rather plain compared to Barbie. She was created to counteract criticism that Barbie was a sex symbol (source).
Good job Mattel!
Apparently Gina and I didn’t feel that she was plain enough.
When all was said and done, Midge looked like this:
Obviously there was a rogue hairdresser on site.
FYI to my little sister:
Tuesday Taylor
was not a true Barbie friend.
We always knew there was some sort of disharmony in the group, and assumed it to be the rogue hairdresser.
Alas, I imagine Tuesday Taylor was to blame!
The 1970’s Ideal Toy Company doll was released in an attempt to dislodge Mattel’s Barbie as the top fashion doll. (source)
Her hair do should have been our first clue. Poor Midge.
We all know a little girl that loves Barbie dolls and has at least one doll, if not a whole collection of them.
Wish her a Happy Barbie Day!!
Use #NationalBarbieDay to post your pics on social media.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.
Kim
XO
