It’s been 50 years since toy manufacturer Mattel timidly announced that the company had created a new fashion doll — Barbie. Mattel co-founder Elliot Handler had reluctantly allowed himself to be persuaded by his wife, Ruth, that the toy company should produce the doll. The doll was named in honor of the Handlers’ daughter, Barbara.

Despite company concerns, consumers leaped at the opportunity to purchase one of the dolls. And since March 1959, Mattel has created literally thousands of Barbie doll models.

The original doll could be purchased as a blonde or a brunette, said Gary Ellis, a collector who used the dolls as a way to reach out and connect with an ailing mother.

A few years later, Mattel created a Barbie with legs that could be bent. The company called this Barbie “the American Girl.”

A replica of the first Barbie and one of the original American Girl Barbies are part of a display to honor the fashion icon’s 50-year career. The display includes dolls designed by fashion designers such as Christian Dior. Other Barbies are decked out in period costumes or fashions from American movie classics.

The dolls are on display at the Society of Memories Doll Museum, 1115 S. 12th St. They are some of the best from the museum’s own collection and from generous museum supporters.

Barbie will be on display until July, when the Society of Memories volunteers swing in to action, taking down June’s exhibit and installing a new exhibit showing off the museum’s collection of Madame Alexander dolls.

Each week, Property of the Past writer Marshall White features a building or an item of St. Joseph history. If you have a home, building, special collection or an interesting piece of history that you’d like to see featured, please contact him at marshall@npgco.com.

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Newspapers in Education

Write two brief paragraphs about your favorite toy, and read the result to your parents.