History of Barbie cont...The Barbie Timeline

As mentioned in our previous post, Barbie made her first appearance in 1959.

The 1960's

• By the start of the new decade in the early 1960's, Barbie began by wearing elegant and sophistacted wardrobes, which were inspired straight from the runways of Paris (designed by Charlotte Johnson).
• Mid sixties fashions included the bob haircut (inspired by First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy)
• As the sixties progressed, the couture looks gave way to the mod looks and Barbie began to undergo dramatic costmetic changes with the new "Twist 'N Turn Waist"
• The American Girl Dolls were also the first to have the new bendable legs

The 1970's

• Malibu Barbie makes her appearance and the trademark long blonde hair hits the shelves
• Barbie becomes even more lifelike in 1970, with bendable ankels, elbows, and knees.
• In 1972, the new Walk-Lively Barbie makes its appearances on shelves
• Barbie turns 16 in 1974, and to celebrate a section of Times Square in New York Barbie Boulevard for a week.

The 1980's

• The Barbie Collecting Phase begins!
• First annual Doll Convention held in 1980.
• First Black and Hispanic Barbies are produced.
• Dolls of the World Collection begins
• Blue Rhapsody Barbie makers her debut in 1986 (first doll designed specifically for collectors)
• Barbies 30th anniversary in 1989 - Pink Jubilee Baribie

The 1990's

• Barbies wardrobe puts new meaning in elegance, sporting originals by Christian Dior, Vera Wang, and Bob Mackie...
• Barbie welcomes the launch of www.barbie.com
• Various CD-Rom products are released
• 1999 marks the 40th anniversary edition of Barbie

The 2000's

• Most collectible dolls in the world are released including the Millenium themed dolls
• Mattel reduces the number produced of collectible dolls in response to feedback from collectors
• In 2001, Barbie stars in her first feature film "Barbie in the Nutcracker"
• Malibu Barbie Returns in 2002!

Please visit, http://www.barbiecollector.com/collecting/about/history.aspx for more information on the history of Barbie, including her family tree and the history of her boyfriend Ken, and other family members.