Barbie influences and reflects the most significant moments on art, fashion and culture. Ruth handler and her husband, elliot, founded mattel with partner harold matt matson in 1942. The remarkable true story of barbies mom, ruth handlerwho, 35 years ag. Nov 22, 2017 rick takes a look at an original 1959 barbie doll, signed by ruth handler herself and complete with original packaging, in this clip from mini miles. Barbie and ruth is the incredible, inspiring, tragic.
Barbies creator ruth handler spotted the adult style lilli doll in a swiss shop window. Thank you ruth handler, you are an inspiration for any one starting a new business. It also has lots of pictures and sketches, from the first dolls in 1959 to. To my delight and surprise, i discovered the book was autographed and dated by ruth handler i couldnt be more pleased. The barbie doll, named after handlers 15yearold daughter, and modeled after a sex toy called lilli, which handler had seen on a trip to germany, rocketed the mattel company to nearly overnight success and became. By the end of the book, you know very little about barbie but a lot more about her mother. As the woman behind barbie, ruth handler was confident on the eve of the 1959 american international toy fair in new york. Jan 28, 2020 ruth handler november 4, 1916april 27, 2002 was an american inventor who created the iconic barbie doll in 1959 the doll was named after handlers daughter barbara.
She grew up to become the president of the company. This doll for girls managed completely change the toy industry, becoming a standard for which all other modern dolls are graded. Thirty years later, more than 800 million dolls in the barbie family had been sold by mattel, the company founded by ruth handler and her husband elliot. Biography of ruth handler, inventor of barbie dolls thoughtco. Barbie the handlers took their two teenagers barbara and ken on a trip to europe in 1956. The original barbie doll was introduced in both blonde and brunette. When the barbie doll was first presented to all the big toy buyers in new york they were unimpressed and refused to buy any.
The book presents both points of view, but really focuses on barbies creator, ruth handler. Understanding and responding to parental concerns and getting public interest in barbie were ruth handlers main concerns as she moved toward introducing the first barbie to the world. The description of the ruth handler book on the barbie doll simply said this was a used book in good condition. Ruth handler biography, birth date, birth place and pictures. Bold films boards barbie origin story barbie and ruth. Barbie was designed by ruth handler, inspired by bild lilli a german doll. She would have no idea of what kind of an impression barbie would make on children and adults alike. Apr 26, 2011 barbie and ruth is a biography of ruth handler and, just as the woman herself did, it emphasizes handlers business and executive talents. Her father was a blacksmith who deserted the russian army.
It is a fascinating account of how one visionary woman and her product changed an industry and sparked a lasting debate about womens roles. Original barbie story behind the original barbie doll the history of modern toy industry changed forever when ruth handler, wife of a cofounder of the mattel toy company, came to an idea in 1956 to stop the trend of the infantlike toys that were popular in the 1st half of the 1900s in the united states. As she stood in the barbie showroom at toy fair, ruth handler exuded her characteristic confidence. Along with cofounding the renowned toy company mattel, woman inventor ruth handler also designed the doll that would become an american cultural icon. Under gerbers pen, ruth handler becomes someone more than just a name once linked to scandal. Every photo of ruth from the 1950s shows her in stylish clothes that show off her figure. Whichever side of that argument you are on, the good, the bad, and the barbie will be interesting. The very first barbie doll was launched in march 1959 by american businesswoman ruth handler. Ruth handler november 4, 1916april 27, 2002 was an american inventor who created the iconic barbie doll in 1959 the doll was named after handlers daughter barbara. The reader is treated to not only a chronological biography of her inventor but also an emotional history as well.
Jan 01, 2009 barbie and ruth by robin gerber barbie and ruth is about a business women named ruth handler who founded mattel, an american toy manufacturing industry and also the creator of the barbie doll. She was the brainchild of ruth handler, and ruth loved fashion. Ruth handler, cofounder of mattel, observed her daughter barbara playing with paper dolls for hours. I am so delighted to see this weeks this week in history on your site. Founded by ruth handler businesswoman, mom, and pioneer of her time barbie has been breaking boundaries and sparking imaginations since her debut. Ruth, along with elliot handler, her husband and mattel cofounder, share the paper doll. Ruth handler inventor of barbie timeline timetoast timelines. The tv commercials for the barbie doll paid off and barbie rocketed mattel and the handlers. By combining their names mat and ell, they arrived at the name of mattel.
Ruth, the president of mattel, was a dogged businessperson who was convinced her new barbie doll would be the hit of the show. Handler, ruth 19162002, businesswoman american national. Ruth mosko handler, american entrepreneur and businesswoman born nov. She served as the president of the toy manufacturer mattel inc. Really two biographies in one, the book explores the lives of both the doll. Handler candidly relates how, at the height of her success, she was struck by breast cancer and returned to the business world to market her personally designed breast prosthesis. Ruth handler was successful bussiness woman at a time where there were so few of them that. Barbies story is a journey through six decades of social culture, inspired by the vision and tenacity of one woman, ruth handler, who dared to pursue her personal dreams in the face of hardship and opposition. Created by businesswoman ruth handler to show little girls that they could be anything they wanted to be, that a woman has choices, barbie quickly became a global icon. I designed barbie with a blank face so that the children could project her own dreams of the future onto barbie handler said when discussing the creation of barbie. Artist and fashion designer billyboy posing with one of his dolls. This story is about ruth handler the founder of mattle and inventor of the barbie doll. The other was ruth handler, the tenth child of polish jewish immigrants. Ruth handler had watched her own daughter play with paper dolls, often giving them adult character roles while most dolls at the time were infants.
The history of barbie doll and the related controversies. Ruth handler became more famous due to the invention of the most famous of all and the first of its kinds barbie doll, ruth handlerwhich she called as her dream doll. This sparked ruths vision to create a 3d doll for girls to. While her husband, elliott, was the face of mattel, ruth was the brains behind the operations. Barbie and ruth by robin gerber barbie and ruth is about a business women named ruth handler who founded mattel, an american toy manufacturing industry and also the creator of the barbie doll. Then, in 1959, the first barbie dollnamed after ruths daughtermade its debut at new york toy fair. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices. Ruth mosko handler unveils barbie doll jewish womens archive.
Ruth handler was born on november 4, 1916 in denver, colorado, usa as ruth marianna mosko. The remarkable true story of barbies mom, ruth handlerwho, 35 years ago, battled sexism and scorn to design and launch the most popular toy in history. Biography of ruth handler, inventor of barbie dolls. American businesswoman ruth handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a german doll called bild lilli as her inspiration. The story of the worlds most famous doll and the woman who. Rick takes a look at an original 1959 barbie doll, signed by ruth handler herself and complete with original packaging, in this clip from mini miles. She was created by ruth handler, coowner of mattel company. To my delight and surprise, i discovered the book was autographed and dated by ruth handler i. Barbie, in full barbara millicent roberts, an 11inch 29cm tall plastic doll with the figure of an adult woman that was introduced on march 9, 1959, by mattel, inc. Barbie was founded in 1959 by ruth handler above, left, a mother and visionary entrepreneur, whose inspiration for barbie came from watching her daughter project her. Apr 05, 2018 orly lobels new book examines the dolls history and the many broiguses shes been caught up in. Ruth mosko handler unveils barbie doll jewish womens.
Although often a subject of satire and social criticism, barbie lives on, with more than 100 million sold annually. Ruths parents were jewish immigrants from poland who had come to the united states in steerage in 1907. Feb 09, 2010 her humble beginnings are not revelatory here. She stepped outside the box and created the most exciting toy since the rubber ball. The story of the worlds most famous doll and the woman who created her gerber, robin on.
The ken doll was named after handlers son and was introduced two years after barbie debuted. The barbie story interview with ruth handler and elliot. Ruth handler, who cofounded mattel with her husband. Her inspiration, history, and legacy by robin gerber we follow a history of the iconic doll and how she influenced both children and grownups.
Barbie, like her creator ruth handler, is a feminist. The woman behind barbie was ruth handler, who cofounded mattel, inc. Ruth handler, built the biggest toy company in the world and created a global icon. Feb 15, 20 hear the story of how barbie came to be, in an exclusive interview with barbie s mom, ruth handler. Mystery of the carnival caper 1998, barbie and the sensations. Ruth handler was the mastermind behind the creation, marketing, and sales of the barbie doll, first sold in 1959. Ruth and husband elliot along with friend, matt, created mattel corporation. She realized there was a gap in the marketplace and suggested to her husband, the cofounder of.
At the international american toy fair in new york on march 9, 1959, inventor ruth mosko handler unveiled one of the most loved, emulated, and criticized toys of the 20 th century. Starting in their garage in 1939, the handlers produced lucite gifts, wooden picture frames, and dollhouse furniture before developing their first toy, the ukeadoodle, in 1947. Neil alexander, illustrator examines the history of barbie, describes how the mattel cofounder used a german doll for the model of the original doll, and discusses the evolution of the doll over the years. Handler, ruth 04 november 191627 april 2002, businesswoman, was born ruth mosko in denver, colorado, the daughter of jacob joseph mosko ne moskowicz, a blacksmith, and ida rubinstein. Orly lobels new book examines the dolls history and the many broiguses shes been caught up in. On the heels of barbies 50th anniversary in 2009, stone almost astronauts delivers a culturalhistoryasbiography of barbie, arguably the most famous doll in the world. They established a woodworking business called mattel with a friend named harold matson. One of my strengths is that i do have the courage of my convictions and the guts to take a position, ruth told an interviewer. So, i really enjoyed the book and i learned some things that. Best known as the inventor of the barbie doll, ruth mosko handler combined her marketing genius with her husband elliot handlers creative designs to form the toy company mattel, inc. This sparked ruths vision to create a 3d doll for girls to play out their dreams.
Ruth handler, inventor of the barbie doll and cofounder of mattel, died april 27, 2002, but her most famous creation continues to evolve born ruth mosko, she was the youngest of 10 children in. Barbie was destined from the start to have a beautiful wardrobe. In 1946 matson sold the company to the handlers and they started the business of toys ruth handler. Part biographyboth of the doll and of her inventor, ruth handlerand part exploration of the cultural phenomenon that is barbie, the good, the bad, and the barbie is filled with personal anecdotes, memories, and opinions from people of all ages. The remarkable true story of barbie s mom, ruth handler who, 35 years ago, battled sexism and scorn to design and launch the most popular toy in history. Her articles have appeared in usa today, the washington post, the philadelphia inquirer, and numerous other newspapers and magazines. When ruth handler set out to create her, she just wanted kids to enjoy it. Barbie was introduced to the world at the american toy fair in new york city. The barbie doll was created by ruth handler for her mattel company in 1959. A history of barbie television advertising from slate. After a business scandal that forced ruth out of mattel, the company she founded, she drew on her experience as a breast cancer survivor to start a business that changed womens lives. Featuring original color and blackandwhite photographs, this book is for everyone who understands that were all living in a barbie world. I was even at the tma event when ruth and elliot handler were inducted into the tma hall of fame.
The story of barbie begins with ruth handler, born ruth moskowicz, the youngest of ten. Her most recent book is the first biography of the founder of mattel, ruth handler. More about barbies creator, ruth handler, than barbie herself. There, they saw a doll that looked like an adult woman, vastly. Ruth handler and her barbie refashioned mattel and the toy. She was known as a hardcharging, noholdsbarred appraoch to business made her a pioneer. Ruth marianna handler mosko november 4, 1916 april 27, 2002 1916. Ruth wasnt like any normal women in the 1940s who stayed at home with their kids cooked and cleaned. Really two biographies in one, the book explores the lives of both the doll and her inventor, self proclaimed tomboy ruth handler. Perhaps one of the most famous toys in american history, the barbie doll is a staple in the toy chests of little girls everywhere. Mar 09, 2015 barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.
Barbie and ruth by ruth gerber is the remarkable true story of the worlds most famous toy and the woman who created her. Barbie and ruth is a biography of ruth handler and, just as the woman herself did, it emphasizes handlers business and executive talents. But her bravado began to seep away as one buyer after. Barbie was born on the march 9, 1959, the day she was officially launched at the american international toy fair. Mattels ruth handler, who invented barbie based on the german bild lilli doll, wanted ken at least to have a bulge, according to robin gerbers 2009 book barbie and ruth. Ruth handler invented the iconic barbie doll toy in 1959. Ruth handler, after seeing her daughter barbara assigning her dolls adult roles, wished for a more grownup doll for children to play with, as most toy dolls during the 1950s were modled after infants. This work is the biography of ruth handler who, with her husband elliot, founded mattel inc. Ruth handler was a famous american businesswoman who established a great empire along with her husband izzy handler, called mattel. She was the youngest of 10 children of polish immigrants who settled in denver. Ruth mosko handler american businesswoman britannica.
November 4, 1916 april 27, 2002 was an american businesswoman and inventor. Ruth handler created barbie an adult doll for children to play with after being inspired by dolls shed seen on a trip to europe, and watching her own daughter, barbara. Barbie was founded in 1959 by ruth handler above, left, a mother and visionary entrepreneur, whose inspiration for barbie came from watching her daughter project her dreams and aspirations onto paper dolls. Let me begin saying that i dont know much about barbie s history, so this book was a good introduction, as it gives several brushstrokes about her birth and ruth handler, the woman behind the doll, how a doll is made, her fashion and her impact as a pop culture icon. Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the american toy company mattel, inc. Ruth handler and her barbie refashioned mattel and the toy industry ruth handler poses with examples of her creation, the barbie doll, at its 40th anniversary celebration at fao schwarz in new. Professional outfits and ethnic barbies have updated the original, but the grownup doll continues to entrance both young girls and older collectors. They developed toys that led to the toy revolution during the war years and in the 1950s and 1960s introduced hot wheels, chatty cathy, and the barbie and ken dolls, named for their two children. A brilliant, creative, ruthless, and passionately competitive visionary, she was a mother and wife who wanted it alla masterful entrepreneur who, together with her curvaceous plastic creation, changed american business and culture forever. And on a trip to germany with her husband, a cofounder of mattel, she found bild lilli dolls which became the. The history of barbie, created by handler and her husband elliot, cofounders of mattel toys, is recounted here. The story of the worlds most famous doll and the woman who created her. Barbie is a fashion doll that was first introduced by mattel, inc.