On this day in 1959, Barbie, a toy doll that became an international sensation despite criticism, was introduced by Mattel, Inc. Ruth Handler, who cofounded Mattel with her husband, Elliot, spearheaded the introduction of the doll. Barbie’s physical appearance was modeled on the German Bild Lilli doll, a risqué gag gift for men based upon a cartoon character featured in the West German newspaper Bild Zeitung. Since the doll’s inception, its body has incited controversy. Mothers in a 1958 Mattel-

Mattel introduces first Barbie with type 1 diabetes. Here's where to buy the new doll

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