Ruth Handler - and the Barbie doll

Mattel Toy Company owes success to a woman


Ruth Handler created the Barbie doll at a time when dolls were babies, not women. She got the idea for an adult fashion doll while watching her daughter Barbara play with paper dolls.

In 1945, Ruth and her husband started Mattel Creations, a small business enterprise headquartered in their California garage. Elliott made picture frames, and Ruth sold them. He started to use the scraps to make dollhouse furniture. Ruth's outstanding marketing skills complemented her husband's product development talents, and the company made money its first year.

Ruth Handler played an integral role in the success of Mattel. She started as Exec VP, the President, and ended her career as Chairman of the Board, shared with her husband. During those years, the Handlers steadily expanded the company and its product line until Mattel Inc. grew to become one of the largest toy companies in the world.

The Barbie doll has remained popular for over 50 years, and more than one billion Barbies have been sold in 150 countries.


My first Barbie doll was the 1961 Bubble cut (it is said that JBK influenced the shorter haircut). And I had only one doll and my grandmother made the outfits. I still have my doll, but not the pearl earrings-- I found some white stick pins, and I'm going to cut them and push in lobes.

RUTH HANDLER: inventor Barbie.

PS. Her nationality: American, Polish descent


PPS. Thanks! to blogger Nikki for the suggestion to write about Ruth Handler.