The most famous doll in the world turns 50 today! Barbie, the invention of Ruth Handler, made her debut in the American International Toy Fair in New York on this day half a century ago. She was named after Ms. Handler’s daughter, Barbara.

CC image by ms sdb

Barbie was revolutionary for her time; when she was invented, most kids played with dolls of infants. Barbie gave kids a chance to role-play adults and dress-up in adult clothes. Of course, Barbie’s enduring popularity has made it a target for criticism, including giving girls an unrealistic role model for body shapes and perpetuating female stereotypes about women. Sometimes, a doll is more than just a doll.

And of course, sometimes dolls aren’t just for kids. With about 100,000 editions of dolls created over the last 50 years, there’s been a huge market for vintage Barbies. The first Barbie sold for USD$3 – and was auctioned for USD$3,000 five years ago. In Singapore, Singapore Airlines barbie made her debut in 1991 – this really limited edition doll fetches a pretty price on online auctions today! There’s also a shrine in Pulau Ubin where the centrepiece is a Barbie doll.

Happy birthday, Barbie! You still look the same as you did 50 years ago. Must be all the plastic. ;-D