The first Barbie with a ponytail sold for $3 in 1959 when she debuted at a New York toy show. Her full name, just so you know, is Barbie Millicent Roberts. She is from Willows, Wisconsin. Barbie turns 50 years old. In honor of Barbie's 50th birthday, TODAY's Matt Lauer looks at the doll's impact on American culture.
1.Barbie, 1959
2. Fashion designer Barbie, 1960.
Although Barbie is now one of the most famous blondes in the world, at the time she was also sold as a brunette. Here, fashion designer Barbie holds her briefcase with clothing designs. Watch below as her fashion sense takes an interesting turn starting in the '70s.
3. Barbie on the road, 1961.
A Barbie doll that looks very much like Katharine Hepburn is going to take a ride in a convertible.
4. Singer Barbie, 1961.
Starting in the 60s, Barbie dolls had a new hair color - “Titian” - the name given to red hair back then. Other dolls that were on sale, not counting the singer: a nurse, a ballerina and a flight attendant.
5. Barbie in red, 1962.
Look at that coat! And what a hairstyle! This Barbie look is not so far from today's fashion trends.
6. Barbie fashion queen, 1963
This headdress makes Barbie look like she escaped from Tutankhamun's tomb. In the mid-60s, dolls, including fashion queen Barbie, began to have more complex hairstyles. This doll doesn't seem to like the way it was made.
7. Career Barbie, 1963.
Isn't this what everyone wears to work? Around that time, Barbie began to emulate the strong women of her era, from Grace Kelly to Jackie Kennedy.
8. Miss Barbie 1964
Yes, there's something wrong with the hat. But who doesn't love a good colorful suit? Miss Barbie was the first doll with flexible legs and eyes that opened and closed. She is also one of the first dolls to be sold with formed hair and various wigs.
9. Barbie - the magic of color, 1966.
This Barbie's hair came in two colors - golden blonde and black - which changed to fiery scarlet and ruby red, respectively. In addition, her packaging turned into a closet. Mattel really thought of everything down to the smallest detail.
10.
Plush Barbie, 1967.
It doesn't get more fashionable than this! As the 60s progressed, so did Barbie's style. Even Barbie looks shocked by this turn of events in fashion.
eleven.
Turning Barbie, 1967.
While everyone else turned and screamed, Barbie simply turned around. Along with a new, more youthful face (well done on that one, right?), new eyelashes and shiny hair, Barbie was able to actually rotate at the waist.
12.
Barbie combinator, 1968.
Dress, jacket, hat, chain belt, tights and boots may seem like a lot to wear all at once, but Barbie does her best to deny that.
13.
Fashionable Barbie maxi and mini. 1970
If Barbie wants to be noticed, a faux fur collar in shiny turquoise is a good way to do it. Why not? The 70s came, and such things became fashionable.
Slowing sales lead to Barbie makeover
As sales slow, America's best-selling doll, Barbie, is getting a makeover with several new features.
14.
Barbie live, 1971.
Need I remind you that this is 1971? This Cher-like Barbie takes hippie culture to the next level.
15.
Malibu Barbie, 1971.
Ah, Malibu Barbie. Mattel is sponsoring “The Brady Bunch” to promote this easy, breezy California lifestyle while providing cultural inspiration to this Los Angeles girl's look. This is the first doll to feature an open smile that shows off sparkling white teeth, and Malibu Barbie also came out quite heavily tanned.
16.
Busy Barbie, 1972.
So much to do, so little time! Let's get a look. I have to make a phone call, listen to these tapes, watch TV and run errands, and with so little time, all I need is this tiny suitcase.
17. Olympic skier Barbie, 1975
Look how she runs! The Olympic Ski Village was sold separately (as was Ken's gold medal skier).
18. Barbie - a golden dream, 1981.
On the border of the 70s and 80s, this golden girl caught the intersection of two fashion trends, mixing glitter and light airy fabric in one amazing jumpsuit.
19. Barbie roller skating, 1981.
Why do you need a helmet with hair like this? Roller skating Barbie was ready to make her dream of an earthly Paradise come true. Strangely enough, roller skating Ken is wearing the same clothes.
20. Barbie in designer jeans, 1982.
Barbie is wearing fabulous Calvin Klein jeans, which Brooke Shields also wears.
21. Barbie on a date, 1983
Most of us wouldn't choose this outfit for a first date. But have you seen Barbie's boyfriend? Perhaps we should reconsider our views.
22.
Barbie day and night, 1985.
Every working girl should have a suit like this: the jacket can be removed to create a wonderful evening outfit. No word on where she hid the briefcase.
23. Astronaut Barbie, 1986
Since women have conquered all professions, Mattel gave Barbie a unique profession - sent her into space! This was a giant achievement for the dolls.
24. Barbie and the Rockers, 1986
At the dawn of MTV, the channel showed new trends in music. A couple of years later, Barbie created her own group.
25. Fashionable Barbie 1988
The knotted T-shirt is a trend that has never made a comeback. For which we are grateful to him.
26. Barbie fighter pilot, 1991
In 1989, Barbie joined the army in a Pentagon-approved uniform. Two years later, fighter pilot Barbie tried to keep her hair in such a tiny cap, but she couldn't.
27. Barbie rapper, 1992
So it happened! That same year, Barbie ran for president! Their costumes were very different.
28. Long-haired Barbie, 1992
Curling her hair must take up her time every morning. Today she is the most popular doll of all time, with hair measuring a record 10.5 inches long.
29. Barbie doing scuba diving, 1994.
Scuba diving has joined Barbie's long list of activities. How does she find time for everything?
thirty.
Fashionable Barbie, 1996
Barbie fashion became somewhat funereal with the release of this all-black outfit in the mid-90s.
31. Barbie veterinarian, 1996
“Puppy hurt her paw, kitten got the flu” is a job for Barbie as a veterinarian, whose costume includes pink leggings under a white coat.
32. Barbie in the style of Harley Davidson
Just give her the chopper and she's ready to go!
33. Barbie in blue, 1998
Remember overalls and blue hair? This Barbie has it. She also has a ring on her finger.
34. Major League Baseball, 1998
Let them play, coach! These girls are ready to play, even if they belong to rival teams.
35.
Race car driver, 1998.
Ten years before Danica Patrick's historic 2008 Indy Car win, Mattel boasts, Barbie took to the track in this heavy bodysuit.
36.
Business lady, 1999.
Pay attention to the size of this mobile phone! The business lady has it all! And all this fits, at first glance, in this large shoulder bag.
37. Presidential candidate, 2004
What presidential candidate would be without an elegant red pantsuit? Hillary Clinton may well be on the pages of Barbie's book: Her blonde hair is flowing.
38. Barbie producer, 2005
She is tough and doesn't take no for an answer. Although in the photo she looks more like a secret agent than a producer.
39. Barbie TV Chef 2008
Look, Rachael Ray. Barbie is in the kitchen, taking her cooking skills to the airwaves! Not a bad improvement on the toy after decades.
40. Barbie – IT engineer, 2010
In 1992, a talking Barbie doll said “Math class is cruel!” In 2010, meanwhile, Barbie wore a T-shirt with a binary code on it. You've been working towards this for so long, haven't you, baby?
