Mattel’s “Barbie” doll debuted at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959

Created by Ruth Handler, Barbie was the first mass-produced toy doll in the United States with adult features. Her introduction was a watershed for the toy industry and for American culture, as Barbie became an instant bestseller and an icon, reflecting and sometimes influencing societal views on fashion, career women, and body image. Over the decades, Barbie would evolve with new styles and careers, remaining a subject of both adoration and controversy in the culture.