Chelsea Commodore
Dr. Newcomb
English 170
24 October 2019
I’m a Barbie Girl
I decided to research Barbie as my object for my analysis project. I found four sources to aid in my rhetorical essay; My first is from The National Toy Hall of Fame. It is a reputable source due to the fact that the site is run by a museum. On the website, Barbie’s history is generally fleshed out. It pointed out the important milestones of the doll’s existence. This backstory included: Barbie’s origins, her claim to fame, criticism, and achievements. Not to mention the fact that the doll is inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1998.
My next source is from History.com, a reputable source because it is a television channel dedicated to the history and known for documenting the past. Brynn Holland from History.com made a sixteen point list to go through the important parts in the doll’s existence and has more detail than my previous source. The source includes Barbie’s companions, her sister, her boyfriend, and her best friend. It also lists more modern accomplishments from her recent years like the “Inspiring Women” collection. Not only that, but there are mentions of the effect of Barbie on popular culture, from fashion runways to Andy Warhol.
Mattel could be one of my most reliable choices for a source as it is the company that manufactures Barbie. This source definitely has the least information, but the pictures available are important to represent the doll in its conception and now her current state. There is also a list of “Groundbreaking Careers” the doll has acquired. To me the most valuable part of the source is the picture of the dolls patented construction, it is extremely detailed.
Lastly, Thought.Co is able to provide a backstory on the creator from early life to death. Also, the source provided me the measurements of a standard Barbie doll. The article is also able to provide the doll that inspired Barbie, Bild Lilli doll. Along with that, the doll’s name origin and as well as the company’s name origin is revealed. I can also trust the sources because they also make citations of where they acquired their information from.
Barbie is a plastic doll that comes in many shapes and sizes, But the standard barbie doll is measured as, “36-18-38. Barbie’s ‘real’ measurements are 5 inches (bust), 3 1/4 inches (waist), and 5 3/16 inches (hips). Her weight is 7 ¼ ounces, and her height is 11.5 inches” (Bellis). The most recognizable models have long blonde hair and blue eyes along with feet curved to fit heeled shoes. The doll brand is 60 years old to date and continues to sell dolls to multiple markets worldwide (Powers).
In a world full of video games and intangible toys, Barbie still stands tall as an icon for children who desire to dream big. She is a catalyst for imagination and education in play. Her multiple careers along with the lifestyle and fashion she adorns herself to attract kids and adults to love her. She is not only a pillar of American culture but also the American dream with her suburban “Dream House” mansion with her family and friends by her side. Barbie has lasted decades and will likely last decades to come, but without the efforts of parents and guardians, America’s everygirl icon may just become a relic of history. I encourage those who can to acknowledge what she means to every girl who grew up with a doll that allowed her to “Be who you wanna be” and reach for the stars and beyond.
The doll in question is well known, even by just the outline of her pink ponytailed logo. Mattel continues to sell Barbie as it is one of the most popular toys of all time (“Barbie”). Her big name and unquestionable reputation allows her to need little introduction and makes her respected on many levels. The doll also has a cult following that remains to this day. There are many collectors who accumulated thousands of dolls for their looks and aesthetic. Young and old alike can attest to the outfits and emotions attached to the doll’s look and appeal.
works cited
“Barbie.” Barbie | National Toy Hall of Fame, The Strong, 2019, https://www.toyhalloffame.org/toys/barbie. Web. 10 September 2019.
Bellis, Mary. “Biography of Ruth Handler, Inventor of Barbie Dolls.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 6 May 2019, https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-barbie-dolls-1991344.Web. 10 September 2019.
Holland, Brynn. “Barbie Through the Ages.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 29 Jan. 2016, https://www.history.com/news/barbie-through-the-ages. Web. 10 September 2019.
Powers, Kelly, and Marissa Beck. “Barbie(TM) Celebrates 60 Years As A Model Of Empowerment For Girls.” Mattel Inc., Mattel, 6 Mar. 2019, https://news.mattel.com/news/barbie-tm-celebrates-60-years-as-a-model-of-empowerment-for-girls.
“The History Of Barbie.” Barbie, Mattel, 2019, https://barbie.mattel.com/en-us/about/our-history.html. Web. 10 September 2019.