Mattel’s Barbie turns 50
Cindy on March 5th, 2009
“It is in playing, and perhaps only in playing, that the child is free to be creative.” — D.W. Winnicott
Mattel’s Barbie turns 50 this month, and her devoted fans are throwing birthday parties right and left. Even her biggest critics are giving the iconic doll extra points for longevity. Barbie was a huge part of my life back in the 1960s, and I’ve written a tribute to her in this week’s MIDPOINT column in The Oakland Press.* I’d love to hear from readers who want to share some happy (OR not-so-happy) memories of Barbie or other toys that populated your world when you were small. — CL
*Previous Midpoint columns are archived with links to The Oakland Press (look under CATEGORIES in the “Browse” panel at right). These columns focus on issues of special interest to women between ages 40 and 65.
March 5th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I remember sitting for hours and hours with my best friend on my back porch, with our big trunks of Barbies and Barbie clothes. For us, it was all about dressing her up, getting her into elaborate velvet and frilly gowns. The fashion was key above all else. As was the sense of being transported for awhile, into Barbie’s glamorous world. It was a comforting time.
March 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Joanne, your post reminds me that I have Barbie to blame for my passion for beautiful clothes and shoes!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
That black and white bathing suit certainly brings back memories.
My friends and I had many Barbies, Kens and Skippers among us.
In the early 60s my parents had just bought their first home in suburbia and constructed a patio and walkways out of bricks. There were a bunch of bricks left over, so one day I took them and created a little town for Barbie to play in. I imagined it being “Southwestern” in style, whatever that meant to me at the time.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I loved my Barbie doll when I was a kid. I can’t say if I was affected by her so-called perfectness or not. Maybe I was. But I was also a huge Betty and Veronica — both of whom had bodies to die for. I guess it was something to aspire to. Was it healthy? I don’t know. I think — certainly to a degree — it’s up to parents to impart the lessons of what is realistic. Barbie is at least a far cry from Bratz dolls. Now those… don’t get me started!
March 6th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Oh, yes — I’ve seen those Bratz dolls. Cheezy. I should add, though, speaking of cheezy, that Barbie clothes of the 1960s were so much nicer in quality and detail than what’s out there for Barbie now. Ditto the accessories… In fact, on Wikipedia, there’s a wonderful photo of the original Barbie Dream House, from the ’60s, which is the one I played with. It’s reminds me of a set for “Mad Men.” –CL
March 6th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
OK — here’s that link to Barbie on Wikipedia. Halfway through the article, you’ll see the photo of the Dream House. Click on it, and it will enlarge so you can get a closer look:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie
Talk about nostalgia: I remember my late father helping me put this house together.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I loved her convertible for some reason. I liked my Francie better than my Barbie–more natural. Our grandmother made us the neatest clothes and even mongrammed our initials on them. One of my sisters has them. We also had a Barbie dating board game with one guy named Poindexter and another The Dud.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:27 am
I never had a Barbie doll when I was girl, but after hearing all the wonderful memories here, I wish I did. That dream house was gorgeous — and so 60s! I had a “Pepper” doll, which was more young-girlish than Barbie. Etch-a-Sketch was my favorite toy as a young girl.
I think some have had an overzealous concern about the “message” that Barbie gives to girls. I think kids need some exaggeration in their play. Otherwise, why would superheroes still be so popular?
March 7th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Cindy H — I loved the Etch-a-Sketch too! And I also had a Pepper doll, which I totally forgot about until you posted this.
Gayle — thanks for reminding me about the Barbie board game. My cousin had one of those. And you mention “The Dud” – LOL!!
– CL