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This thesis is a cultural analysis of: a) women's idealized perception of the Barbie doll, & b) the construction of the Barbie doll image through marketing. In addition, both areas will provide a concentrated emphasis on "respectability." The analysis will be focused on Barbie's creation in 1959, & on the current practices of representations in 1999. The thesis is divided into two phases. Phase one illustrates the interpretation of how women perceive Barbie, & how they see themselves in her likeness. It further explores the determined impression of the doll as "respectable." Phase two examines the way that Barbie is presented in the market & the techniques used to formulate the intended representations of the doll. The analysis of the thesis focuses solely on her introduction in 1959, & on her current distinction. The Barbie doll is an iconic image. The symbol of the "feminine ideal" which has caused women to perceive & recognize this figure in a personal light. Further, her existence in the marketplace creates a continual awareness in women to identify & evolve with this object as she captures the culture. It is critical to examine the conception & portrayal of an icon such as the Barbie doll. As a predominant feature in American culture & society, she is a fictitious character that many have contrived into a reality. She is a name that strikes instant familiarity, & she is a name that evokes controversy, emulation, & success. This thesis achieves a comprehensive look into her importance to women, & the ways in which her corporate creators make her accessible to fulfill this need. Therefore, this thesis accurately makes a connection between the marketing of the Barbie doll, & the building of an icon.

The tragic and redeeming story of how one visionary woman built the biggest toy company in the world and created a global icon. Barbie and Ruth is the entwined story of two exceptional women. There's Barbie: the diminutive yet arrestingly voluptuous doll unveiled at the 1959 Toy Fair who became the treasure of 90 percent of American girls and their counterparts in 150 countries. She went on to compete as an Olympic athlete, serve as an air force pilot, work as a boutique owner, run as a presidential candidate, and ignite a cultural firestorm. And then there's Ruth Handler, Barbie's creator: the tenth child of Polish Jewish immigrants, a passionately competitive and creative business pioneer, and a mother and wife who wanted it all. After a business scandal that forced Ruth out of Mattel, the company she founded, she drew on her experience as a breast cancer survivor to start a business that changed women's lives. She was ultimately honored as a pioneer, humanitarian, and masterful entrepreneur. Based on original research, extensive interviews, and previously unavailable material, Barbie and Ruth tells the fascinating story of how two women forever changed American business and culture.

Traces the history of Barbie dolls and related toys, including changes in faces, bodies, and hairdos, costume design, Ken, Midge, and other dolls, versions for collectors, and international adaptations

Every Barbie doll, her friends, and their accessories are listed alphabetically by name, by stock number, and by year, making it possible to locate a specific doll even if you only know one of these details. Over 30,000 listings are at your fingertips, featured in a way that makes identification of one or 100 dolls easy. Cases, furniture, houses, paper dolls, children's clothes, jewelry, games, and more are included, as well as over 50 color photos.384 pages. REVIEW: This is a great reference for the Barbie collector. The main part of the book is a listing including number issued, date, value, and source store for each item issued from 1959 to 1998. Items listed include Barbie and Ken dolls, friend's dolls, outfits, accessories, and Barbie collectibles. The organization and multiple listings make everything easy to find and a pleasure to use.

This fourth edition of the Harry L. Rinker Official Price Guide to Collectibles has more coverage of collectibles than any other book on the market. Here you'll find furniture, decorative accessories, and giftware along with the traditional character and personality items, ceramic, glass, and toys. Each category includes a brief history, collecting tips, reference books, periodicals, collector clubs, and vital information on reproductions. It's a complete document of the 20th-century American lifestyle.

Every Barbie doll, her friends, and their accessories are listed alphabetically by name, by stock number, and by year, making it possible to locate a specific doll even if you only know one of these details. Over 30,000 listings are at your fingertips, featured in a way that makes identification of one or 100 dolls easy. Cases, furniture, houses, paper dolls, children's clothes, jewelry, games, and more are included, as well as over 50 color photos.384 pages. REVIEW: This is a great reference for the Barbie collector. The main part of the book is a listing including number issued, date, value, and source store for each item issued from 1959 to 1998. Items listed include Barbie and Ken dolls, friend's dolls, outfits, accessories, and Barbie collectibles. The organization and multiple listings make everything easy to find and a pleasure to use.