The creation of Barbie was inspired by a doll in Germany named Bild Lilli. The german doll was derived from a comic strip and then later adapted into a doll.
Bild Lilli was sold as an "adult" doll, and selling her to children was unheard of. Her doll persona was sassy, fashionable, talked openly about her sexual endeavors, had a lot of friends, and dated (and slept with) old rich men.
She was first and foremost a socialite fashionista. (Sound familiar?)
Feminists considered Lilli to be a "sex doll," and she was originally marketed as an adult novelty, for joke or gag gifts. She wasn't supposed to be a toy for children, but Ruth Handler, a founder of Mattel, bought three of the dolls and was determined to market them in America. Handler didn't realize that Bild Lilli was sold in bars and tobacco shops, meant as a titilating joke between men who found the sexuality of the doll amusing.
These are some of my favorite Bild Lilli images:
Well, Handler thought these dolls would be worth selling to children in America and brought Lilli back anyway, and then made her into the modern day Barbie doll.
Barbie might have questionnable values now, but at least she was founded on good morals, right!!?....
You can read more about Bild Lilli in an article from Associatedcontent.com here.
An even more awesome blog with a great analysis of Barbie history, including Bild Lilli facts can be read here.
I had no idea...this is fascinating.
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