Inventor-designer Jack Ryan took it from there, reimagining the doll until it became the figure we know today. Both blonde ...
Ruth Handler opened Mattel in 1945 with her husband Elliot and Harold Matson — the name Mattel comes from Matt plus L. The Barbie movie presents Ruth as Barbie's clear creator. The messier reality ...
The beloved toy debuted in 1959.
Barbie, the iconic doll created by Ruth Handler for Mattel, debuted on March 9, 1959 at the New York Toy Fair, going on to become one of the most influential toys in history.