Barbie's 50th birthday party!

May 11, 5:57 PMChildren's Toys ExaminerAnna M. Lewis

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50th Anniversary Glamour Barbie

Barbie turned 50 years old last month! Wow! Doesn't she look marvelous?

Mattel had a huge, private party for the grand celebration. And, from all the news reports, pictures, and videos, Barbie’s birthday was designed with style and all the fun that Barbie deserves. (I only wish I could have been there!)  Here’s a link to the Big Birthday Bash.
Also, Mattel has a wonderful Barbie page on their website titled Barbie Style. I got lost in all the fun Barbie news, history, and details. Here’s the link: Barbie Style

NBC did a great montage of Barbie to celebrate her birthday. Here’s the video:

Now, since we’re all feeling the Barbie love, I thought I’d share my own personal experience with Barbie. When I interviewed at Mattel in the '80s, I originally interviewed for a position in the Barbie Design department - Barbie Accessories. I eventually wound up in the Girls Dolls and Plush R&D department, designing right next to Barbie. I became good friends with several of the veteran Barbie creators… kind of surreal as I think about it now.

Today, there has been a lot of discussion about Barbie and her role in society. I grew up in the 60s and 70s - the days of one Barbie per child. My Barbie accessories were cardboard box beds, dishtowel comforters, and bathtub swimming pools. My bedroom or my best friend's bedroom was Barbie Island and I pleaded with my parents to keep Barbie's "house" up until the next play date.

In honor of Barbie's birthday, I paid her a visit in my china cabinet. Yes, only one Barbie is left. My parents gave my Barbies, her clothing, and her storage case to my younger cousin. Years later, she relinquished one of my Barbies back to me.

I loved that outfit. Yes, the boots came with another outfit!

Barbie was not a sexy grown-up that I emulated. She was a catalyst for hours and hours of extremely creative play, by myself and with friends. For her, I created cars, houses, families, pets, horses, boats, swimming pools, dance studios, boyfriends, birthday parties, and environments IN MY HEAD!  When my mom taught me how to sew, I designed the most gorgeous outfits for Barbie (at least, in my imagination they were gorgeous).

And, sadly, I remember the day in sixth grade when I no longer wanted "to play" Barbie. I felt that same pain when my daughter felt she was "too old", but I understood. Scientists now say that children start to lose creative thought in fourth grade.

This is my grandma's Barbie - not one of the very first ones manufactured. (Do you notice the "greening" on her ear from the earring?)  Grandma was in her thirties when Barbie came out and she bought this for herself. She cut off Barbie's feet, so she could stand. Then, Grandma painted on red fingernail polish for shoes. Also, Grandma cut off some of her own hair and glued it onto Barbie's private parts. Yup. This is how an adult saw Barbie - a grown-up mature woman. To me, Barbie was years of the best play imaginable. The creation of Barbie's life in my mind was priceless.

So, with that, I have to say thank you to Barbie - for five decades of creative play for all the little girls (and boys) in the world.  Have a wonderful Birthday! Here's to many, many more years!