Observing that her daughter Barbara enjoyed playing with paper dolls and imagining them as various characters, the creator Ruth Handler Ruth believed that young girls needed a doll that could spark their imagination and help them envision the women they might become. In 1959, Ruth designed her first doll, which became the globally iconic Barbie.

As the world’s first adult female doll, Barbie has undergone more than 500 refinements in design over the years. She has taken on over 80 professional roles—from doctor to astronaut—and has been developed into 45 different ethnic versions, celebrating global diversity. The brand has also expanded to include a wide range of accessories such as furniture, mobile devices, and fashion.

With over one billion dolls sold across 150 countries, Barbie’s evolving roles and cross-media presence reflect not only the changing social status and aspirations of women but also the innovative growth of the cultural and creative industries.

Barbie conveys a powerful message to girls: they can become anything they want to be.