Barbie first received the bendable Twist ’n Turn waist in 1967.
The Twist ’n Turn design marked a major change in Barbie’s appearance and play features. The body could rotate at the waist, allowing the doll to twist into more dynamic poses. The 1967 version also introduced a younger-looking face and long, straight hair, moving away from the highly arched brows and shorter ponytail associated with earlier Barbies.
The model is often called Twist ’n Turn Barbie, or TNT Barbie. Its introduction helped Mattel refresh Barbie during a period when fashion dolls were becoming more poseable and expressive.
Some sources describe the 1967 doll through its hairstyle, face sculpt, or body mechanism. These references identify the same important transition, but the year is distinct from the 1961 Barbie, which had the Bubble Cut hairstyle and a different body design.