Barbie and Ken

Most children have a favorite toy. These are usually toys that they have had since they could remember. Some of these are Cabbage Patch Kids, Care Bears, My Little Pony, soft toys like cats and dogs or even, Barbie and Ken dolls. The thing about the last toy though, is they don’t only appeal to kids, they appeal to adults too. Some of them are even collectors and will go to great lengths to acquire them.

Barbie and Ken are like miniature adults. Every new edition is based on the styles of the times. Because of this, you will find that the makers of these dolls have even gone and created different accessories to go with the dolls. There are companion dolls that represent different ethnic groups!

Barbie was based on a German doll known as Bild Lilli. Once Mattel got the rights to Lilli, she was discontinued and Barbie went on to become a hit. Ruth Handler named the original Barbie and Ken. Barbara Millicent Roberts and Ken Carson were born and Barbie went on to debut in 1959 at the international toy fair in New York while Ken made his debut in 1961. From then on they were considered a couple and in 2004, their relationship was ended. In 2006, their relationship was rekindled and they were then in the markets together. The initial separation was due to a decline in sales, but Barbie just wasn’t Barbie without ken.

Barbie represents fashion, and has also gone on to have different careers. She’s been an astronaut, pilot, doctor, airline stewardess, fairy princess and even a mermaid. With all the changes the two dolls have gone through, one fact has been constant. She was and continues to be a source of pleasure and fun for kids the world over.