Every week, about one million dolls are sold worldwide, two every second.

(Kazan, March 9, Tatar-inform). 51 years ago, the first Barbie dolls hit the market. In over half a century, the planet’s finest doll has not changed, but in fact improved. In 1959, Barbie cost $3, 350 thousand toys sold in the first year.

Every week, about one million dolls are sold worldwide, two every second. An American girl aged 3 to 10 has in average 8 Barbie dolls, an Italian has 7, while a French, German and English girl has 5. Russian girls have in average one Barbie. The Mattel company has over 50 years sold over one billion Barbies. In 2009, Barbie marked its semi-centennial anniversary.

Barbie’s “family” roots are in Germany. In the early 50es, a small doll called Lily was made there, based on a popular comic book for adults. It had large breasts, long legs, was not meant for children and was not sold at children’s stores.

Ruth Handler first saw the doll at a tobacco shop in Switzerland. The toy impressed her and Ruth bought three of them at once.

Having returned home, Ruth instructed designer Jack Ryan to slightly alter the doll, making it more acceptable for children. The toy’s creator named the doll Barbie, after her daughter. The toy was patented in 1958 and was meant for girls aged 3 to 12.

On March 9, Barbie first appeared at a toy fair wearing a black-and-white striped swimsuit, sun glasses and stiletto-heeled shoes. The novelty was met with caution, but the well-targeted advertisement campaign had its effect, a batch of 3 thousand dolls selling very quickly.

Five years after Barbie first hit the shelves, it was sold in millions. The dolls lived their own life, developed new outfits, made friends, studied and worked and won favour in 150 countries across the world.

Based on Calend.ru reports

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