The 1970s Barbie doll designed with a talking mechanism activated by pulling a string was Talking Barbie.
Talking Barbie used a pull-string system to produce recorded phrases. The mechanism added a new interactive feature to a fashion doll: children could hear Barbie speak while dressing and playing with her. The string was typically located on the doll’s body and connected to an internal voice unit.
This doll is often confused with Busy Talking Barbie, a later release with a more specific name and different styling. The broad term Talking Barbie refers to the earlier talking-doll concept, while individual releases can have their own official names and outfits.
The design shows how Barbie’s fashion history also includes changes in play technology. A talking mechanism did not replace clothing as the main attraction, but it made the doll feel more like a character. Her wardrobe, hair, and accessories were still essential to the presentation of the release.