Barbie
Mattel is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. Mattel’s portfolio includes various brands such as Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price and Barbie. The first Mattel Barbie doll was presented at the American Toy Fair in New York on 9 March 1959. Barbie, whose full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, is considered the most popular fashion doll ever. Accordingly, Barbie is also one of the most famous and bestselling dolls in the world. The Barbie doll has continually been developed since its introduction. Additions include a boyfriend (Ken), three sisters (Skipper, Stacie and Kelly), various cars and pets. Barbie’s first pet was a horse. To date, the doll has pursued 150 professions – a fact that is in line with Ruth Handler’s philosophy – the creator of the Barbie doll: “The philosophy of Barbie was that, through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.” Today, Barbie dolls are available in 150 countries. New Barbie movies are regularly released on DVD.
