Barbie Doll

First introduced at the American International Toy Fair in New York in 1959, Barbie was the product of Elliot Handler and his wife, Ruth, cofounders of Mattel, Inc. The doll was named after their daughter, Barbie. Ken, who later came on to the scene, also has significance, as he represented the couple’s son. The Barbie doll wasn’t a smash hit right out of the starting gate. But almost fifty years later the Barbie doll is one of the most successful and enduring toys on the market.