Barbie was created by Ruth Handler , the co‑founder of the toy company Mattel, and first launched in 1959.

Who Made Barbie?

  • Ruth Handler is credited as the inventor of the Barbie doll, introduced in 1959 as a fashion doll for children.
  • She co‑founded Mattel with her husband Elliot Handler, and developed Barbie under the Mattel brand.

How Barbie Was Inspired

  • Handler got the idea after watching her daughter Barbara play with paper dolls and imagine adult roles and careers for them.
  • On a trip to Europe, she saw the German Bild‑Lilli doll, which helped shape the look of Barbie as an adult‑proportioned doll.

When Barbie First Appeared

  • Barbie debuted at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959, a date now considered Barbie’s “birthday.”
  • The first Barbie wore a black‑and‑white striped swimsuit and came in blonde or brunette versions, matching late‑1950s fashion trends.

Who “Owns” Barbie Today

  • Barbie remains a flagship brand of Mattel, Inc., which continues to design and market new dolls, careers, and storylines for the character.
  • The doll’s creator, Ruth Handler, is now widely recognized in pop culture and was even portrayed as a major figure in the 2023 Barbie film.

SEO note (meta description): Barbie was created by Ruth Handler of Mattel in 1959, inspired by her daughter’s paper dolls and the German Bild‑Lilli doll, and debuted at the New York Toy Fair.