Barbie debuted at the American International Toy Fair in New York in 1959.
Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler developed the idea after seeing her daughter play with paper dolls representing adult women. Handler believed children could use a doll with an adult figure to imagine future roles. The doll was named after her daughter, Barbara Handler.
Barbie’s official launch date is March 9, 1959, the date Mattel displayed her at the New York toy fair. The original Barbie wore a black-and-white striped swimsuit and was available as either a blonde or brunette.
Barbie is sometimes confused with later Mattel brands such as Baby Alive or Polly Pocket, but those are separate products. The doll’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, a fictional character whose biography has changed over time.