The Barbie movie is here and the whole world seems to be going Barbie crazy! I will be honest, I’m pretty excited for this film as a long time fan & collector of the doll. I have vivid memories in the 1980s as a little girl playing with my peaches & cream Barbie (my fav) and dreaming of owning the barbie convertible (I got the motorhome..thanks mom and dad!). So I will be seeing the movie.
For today’s post, I’m doing an overview of fun vintage Barbie commericals and advertising from the 1960s.
Let the Barbie party begin!
(P.S. Sorry for the delay on a new post, I was in Vietnam and Japan for 3 weeks and just got back)
1960s Barbie Commercials & Print Ads
Brief History Lesson of Barbie
In March 1959, a doll named “Barbie” launched onto the American toy market, sporting a black-and-white striped bathing suit, pouty red lips and a sassy blonde ponytail. The leggy, 11-inch plastic figure—full name: Barbara Millicent Roberts—was the first mass-produced toy doll in the U.S. with adult features. She would go on to become one of the most iconic playthings in history.
Barbie was the brainchild of Ruth Handler, co-founder (with her husband Elliot) of the toy company Mattel, Inc. Inspired by watching their daughter play with make-believe paper dolls of adult women, Handler realized there was an unfilled niche in the market for a toy that allowed little girls to imagine the future.
Barbie’s appearance was modeled after a doll named the Bild Lilli, which had been inspired by a German comic-strip character. Originally marketed as a racy gag gift that men could buy in tobacco shops, the Lilli doll later became extremely popular with children. Mattel bought the rights to Lilli, and Handler created her own version .
Barbie’s on-again, off-again longtime boyfriend, Ken Carson, was introduced two years after Barbie in 1961. Ken was named after Ruth Handler’s son (Source).
1959 vintage ad for Barbie as seen in the LA Times.
This is the first Barbie commercial that first aired during Mickey Mouse Club!
“Meet Tv’s Barbie & Ken’. 1962 Sears Wishbook catalog page.
Source: wishbookweb.com
Dress like your favourite Barbie, drink tea with her image and even play the Barbie game.
Another page from the 1962 Sears wishbook.
Source: wishbookweb.com
This is the commercial for when Barbie & friends first got bendable legs from the 1960s.
“Barbie is back from another great year! With more new costumes!
Fantastic 60’s ad featuring Barbie’s iconic Mermaid black dress (plus other stylish outfits & gift set paks).
Source: Pinterest
1963 Barbie and Ken Comic Book. “Join Barbie and Ken on their brand new fun adventures”.
I love Barbie’s dress!
Source: Comic Book Plus
1960s vintage ad for Carnation Malted Milk ad with Barbie and Midge, 1964.
Further Reading: Vintage Recipes from 1940s & 1950s Carnation Milk Advertisements
Source: Pinterest
Vintage Barbie Commercials from the 60s – Part 1.
Vintage Barbie Commercials from the 60s – Part 2.
1966 JCPenny Christmas Catalog featuring “Color Magic Barbie Doll’.
Source: wishbookweb.com
1967 Twist Barbie from Mattel.
Source: Pinterest
Another 1967 Twist ‘N Turn Barbie Ad.
Source: Etsy –Vintagebuttercup
(Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy is an Affiliate Link, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.)
“The spotlight is on New Talking Barbie in a fur-trimmed dinner suit that’s a Sears exclusive” as seen in a 1968 Sears Wishbook.
Source: wishbookweb.com
Are you a Barbie fan? Do you have a favourite doll? Favourite memory? Share any thoughts in the comment section below.
Thank you for dropping by!
Further Reading: Vintage Advertising from the 1920s-1960s
Liz
