Happy Birthday, Barbie

Meet Barbie. Barbie (the doll) just turned fifty, so everyone's writing about her. Toy Whimsy has a very interesting post on Barbie facts, which include:

• Barbie is from Willows, Wis. She attended Willows High.
• Barbie has had more than 80 careers -- everything from a rock star to a paleontologist to a presidential candidate.
• The best selling Barbie doll ever was Totally Hair Barbie, with hair from the top of her head to her toes.
• In 2000, Barbie doll has a belly button for the first time.

I had two brothers (no sisters), so it was G.I. Joe growing up. I have two sons (no daughters), so it's been G.I. Joe for them growing up. But it seems that 90% of young american girls (age 3-10) have at least one Barbie. Wow.

If you had Barbies, or if you have daughters who have Barbies, you should RTWT, which includes the doesn't-get-enough-exercise-and-eats-too-much Barbie. Heh.

But the person in the picture isn't Barbie (the doll). She's Barbara Handler Segal, daughter of Ruth and Elliot Handler, who founded Mattel. She's the one that Barbie (the doll) is named after. Her childhood interest in making - and dressing up - paper dolls is what led to the spark of inspiration for Barbie (the doll).

So happy birthday, Barbie (the doll). I actually think that Barbie will be happier with G.I. Joe than with Ken, though.