As years go by, pop culture has changed immensely – from movies and music, to clothing and celebrities, the industry has never remained the same. For over sixty years, there has been one constant, popular item in the pop culture industry -the Barbie Doll.

“My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices,” said Ruth Handler.

According to barbiemedia.com, Ruth Handler and her husband, Elliot Handler, began Mattel Creations in 1945. They began by selling picture frames and dollhouse furniture. They soon moved on to making small instruments, and had almost immediate success in all of their toy making endeavors.

The Handler’s had a daughter named Barbra, who would play with paper dolls as a child. Ruth watched as Barbra and her friends imagined teenage and adult lives for their baby dolls, and realized that there was a legitimate product idea in creating dolls that resembled adults, rather than baby dolls or child-like dolls.

Thus, after several years of planning, the first Barbie doll was introduced on March 9, 1959, at the New York Toy Fair. In the first year, over 300,000 Barbie dolls were sold.

Since this time, Barbie has changed facial features, wardrobes, occupations, friends, and recently body types, to fit the changing times and appeal to wider audiences. She has starred in movies, books, and “Barbie” is now a household name. She has undoubtedly become one of the most iconic and staple toys of the century.

One of the main reasons that Barbie has remained so popular is that she has always been a reflection of the times. Her outfits have changed to mimic the most popular styles, and her makeup and hair styles have followed suit.

According to time.com, when Barbie was first created, she was made to look like some of the most popular and prominent stars of the time – namely Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Rita Hayworth. She had red lipstick, a high ponytail with curled bangs, and pale skin. She then starred as an astronaut, as the international space programs evolved.

During the Kennedy Era, Barbie was changed to look like First Lady Kennedy. Throughout the sixties, Barbie was introduced in new hair colors as well – with brown hair and red hair.

Throughout the seventies, Barbie’s hair style became long and sleek, and her wardrobe was changed to reflect the more alternative lifestyle. Malibu Barbie was then introduced, who was quickly followed by Superstar Barbie. During this time, the feminist movement began, and Barbie was beginning to become a symbol of female empowerment as Barbie would shortly begin to have careers previously not thought of being acceptable for women.

In the beginning of the eighties, Barbie and the Rockers was created – the first time that Barbie would star in her own band. They donned scrunchies, leggings, and leg warmers – a very direct parallel of fashion at the time. Continuing as an icon for female empowerment, Barbie became a business executive.

During these years, the Barbie empire launched the “We Girls Can Do Anything” campaign, which worked to encourage young girls and women to believe in themselves, and become anything that they wanted to become, regardless of societal expectations or stereotypes.

In the nineties, Barbie was introduced as a politician. At this time, her hair fit the “big-hair craze” of the time, and her clothes changed to become more edgy.

In the past ten years, Barbie has changed probably more profoundly than ever before. She has starred in fashion shows, had hundreds of occupations, and had dozens of houses and cars.          Most recently, Barbie has undergone a complete makeover: she has been introduced in three different body types, with varying skin tones and hairstyles. This new makeover is monumental for Barbie, as she represents all types of people. This change is extremely reflective of today’s social movements, which are working to promote acceptance on all fronts.

Because of what she represents, Barbie will always be an icon for young girls. Her ability to change and reflect the pop culture of the time allow her to remain constantly popular, and will continue to ensure her success in the future.