By Meena
The world's most famous doll, Barbie, has been a staple in the toy industry for over six decades, created by Ruth Handler in 1959.
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Born in 1916, Ruth Handler was an American entrepreneur and inventor who co-founded toy manufacturer Mattel and created Barbie.
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Handler, the first female president of Mattel, was an entrepreneur and corporate leader at a time when women in such roles were a rarity.
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Diagnosed with breast cancer, Handler created a line of realistic breast prosthetics, 'Nearly Me,' after her mastectomy, a testament to her inventiveness.
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Barbie is still owned by Mattel, generating a record high of $1.7 billion in annual sales in 2021, with plans to expand their toy brand portfolio further.
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The Barbie doll was inspired by Handler's daughter, Barbara. Handler wanted to create a doll that encouraged little girls to dream and aspire.
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Handler believed that "through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be." Barbie represented the concept that a woman has choices.
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Six decades later, Barbie remains one of the bestselling toys, with 164 dolls sold per minute in 2021, a testament to its enduring appeal.
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