Barbie Comes to Life

In 1959, Ruth Handler invented dolls that she named after her child, Barbara. We now know the toy to be Barbie or Barbara Millicent Roberts. It grew popular in the ’60s, and with the iconic character representing over a hundred jobs, the founder hoped it would inspire kids to dream that they could be anything they want to be.

However, the lineup’s best-selling doll was Totally Hair Barbie in 1992, which featured the toy’s luscious locks that flowed from head to toe. Handler died in 2002, but her creation remained alive and evolving to this day.