Barbies are noted as being the first commercial dolls in history made in the image of a teenage girl. When she was introduced at the New York Toy Fair in 1959, Barbie was met with skepticism. Industry leaders were not convinced that girls would be interested in playing with a teenage doll. The skeptics did not share the vision of Barbie inventor, Ruth Handler, who believed young girls would want to envision their future lives as teenagers through play. That year, 350,000 Barbies were sold, proving that Mrs. Handler was absolutely right.

The key to Barbie's success is rooted in her versatility. Barbie is a fashion icon. She wears styles that reflect current trends. The sheer size of Barbie's wardrobe is unimaginable, with over one billion articles of clothing and shoes made for her to wear in the last half century. This makes Barbie's manufacturer one of the largest producers of apparel in the world.

Barbie has had a wide variety of careers to justify her enormous wardrobe. She has worked over 75 careers, from gymnast to veterinarian to rock star. Barbie even joined every branch of the military alongside her long time boyfriend, Ken. By the 1970s, Barbies were revolutionized with bendable wrists, elbows, ankles and a Twist 'N Turn waist to enable them to perform a number of physical sports and jobs.

As popular trends continue to change, so does the look of Barbie. She still wears a full array of fashion accessories, some of which are now designed by the most popular fashion designers. Her network of family and friends has also expanded over the years to include several siblings, cousins and friends who share in her love of fashion and an active lifestyle. Barbies still captivate the imaginations of young girls worldwide.