What Material is Barbie Made of? A Look into the History of the Iconic Doll

What material is Barbie made of?
Despite the variety, which has been credited with Mattel selling more Barbies in 2020 than any time in the past 20 years, they all have one thing in common: They’re made of virgin plastic.
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Have you ever wondered what kind of material Barbie is made of? She is one of the most recognizable dolls in history. The answer is plastic, namely polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a form of plastic. PVC is the ideal material for constructing dolls like Barbie since it is strong and flexible and can be molded into a variety of shapes.

Ruth Handler, a co-founder of Mattel Inc., produced the first Barbie doll in 1959. Watching her daughter Barbara play with paper dolls and envisioning a three-dimensional version of them gave Ruth the idea for Barbie. The original Barbie, who was 11.5 inches tall and had blonde hair, blue eyes, and a thin build, swiftly rose to become the toy industry’s benchmark for beauty.

The earliest dolls that have been discovered date back to ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece. Dolls have been around for thousands of years. These dolls, which were frequently employed in religious ceremonies or as toys for kids, were crafted from materials like clay, wood, and stone. Dolls made of porcelain and bisque gained popularity in the 19th century, but because they were expensive and delicate, the general public had less access to them. Barbie, which Ruth Handler invented, transformed the toy market by introducing a doll that was inexpensive, robust, and fashionable. Barbie has undergone various changes throughout the years, with new body types, skin tones, and hair colors being added to match shifting beauty standards.

Online guides and resources abound for anyone interested in creating their own doll. To make your own special doll, you can use a number of materials like cloth, clay, or even discarded items. The secret is to play around with the technique and explore, just like Ruth Handler did when she invented Barbie more than 60 years ago.

In summary, Barbie is one of the most recognizable dolls in history and is composed of PVC plastic, a strong and flexible material. The toy industry was revolutionized when Ruth Handler created Barbie in 1959. She also established a new standard of beauty that has evolved through time. There are many tools available to aid you in beginning your own creative path if you’re interested in creating your own doll.