‫כפר הנוער "עתיד" ע"ש יוענה ז'בוטינסקי‬

Jabotinsky Yoana after named Village Youth ”Atid“

Project:

Barbie-
The most famous doll of
the 20th century
Submission date: Thursday, August 29th, 2024

Names: Oren Rozenblum, Noa Ben David

and Natali Zara

Grade: 12
Teacher’s name: Elena Lebedev
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION P.3-P.6
BODY P.7-P.15
PART ONE BACKGROUND INFORMATION
PART TWO OUR RESEARCH

INTERVIEW/SURVEY P.16-P.18
CONCLUSION P.19-P.20
REFLECTION P.21-P.23
BIBLIOGRAPHY P.24
APPENDICES P.25
TEACHER’S P.26
ASSESSMENT CHARTS
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 Introduction:
Background information on the
1960s
The 1960s was a period of time that began on
January 1, 1960 and ended on December 31,
1969.
The "sixties", is a term used by historians and
journalists to describe the counterculture
and the revolution in social norms regarding
dress, music, formality and studies.
The decade was also called the Swinging
Sixties.
Many important events happened during
that time that changed the universe, namely
Dr. Martin Luther King's speech that
changed the perspective on African
Americans, peace movements that blamed
the Vietnam War and demanded social
justice, man.
Space flight, heart transplants, many new
inventions were invented One of them was
the Barbie doll.
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General background of the topic.
Barbie is a plastic doll produced by the American
toy company Mattel and still sold to the extent of
billions of dollars in many countries of the world.
TV shows, movies, video games and more were
inspired by the doll.
Reasons for choosing this topic
Over the many years since its inception, Barbie
has raised many questions for many people.
We chose Barbie as the subject of our project for
several reasons.
First of all, over the years Barbie has been
receiving many reviews, some good and some
negative, so we are curious to find out what all
the fuss is about. In addition, we want to find out
how such a small doll affected different groups of
people.
Purpose of the project
For us, the goal of the project is to broaden
horizons, to penetrate deeper to the history of
creating this unusual doll, why it turned out to be
a phenomenon , why the creation of the doll
caused such different reactions.
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 Research questions
Why did the Barbie doll become the most famous doll
in the world?

Which changes has the Barbie doll made through the

years, now and then?

How has Barbie doll affected teenagers around the

world?”

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 Body: part 1
Background information:
Barbie doll– Barbara Millicent Roberts– was “born” on
March 9, 1959. Ruth Handler introduced Barbie, the Teen-
Age Fashion Model, to skeptical toy buyers at the annual
Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. Never before had
they seen a doll so completely unlike the baby and toddler
dolls popular at the time. Ruth Handler, co-founder of
Mattel, observed her daughter Barbara playing with paper
dolls for hours. This sparked Ruth's vision to create a 3-D
doll for girls to play out their dreams. During a trip to
Europe in 1956 with her children Barbara and Kenneth, Ruth
Handler came across a German toy doll called Bild Lilli. The
adult-figured doll was exactly what Handler had in mind, so
she purchased three of them. She gave one to her daughter
and took the others back to Mattel. The Lilli doll was based
on a popular character appearing in a comic strip drawn by
Reinhard Beuthin for the newspaper Bild. Lilli was a blonde
bombshell, a working girl who knew what “she” wanted. The
Lilli doll was first sold in Germany in 1955, and although it
was initially sold to adults, it became popular with children
who enjoyed dressing her up in outfits that were available
separately. Upon her return to the United States, Handler
reworked the design of the doll (with help from engineer
Jack Ryan) and the doll was given a new name, Barbie, after
Handler's daughter Barbara.

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Description of the research topic
The topic of our research is to understand how Barbie has
influenced the world.
1.Why did the Barbie doll become the most famous doll in
the world?

2.Which changes has the Barbie doll made through the

years, now and then?

3.How has Barbie doll affected teenagers around the

world?”

8
Special facts we didn't know about
"Barbie":
1. The first celebrity to join the Barbie family is
Twiggy.

2. The first limited edition came out in 1986, and

was called Blue Rhapsody. It was the first Barbie to
be made of porcelain.

3. If they put all the barbies created since 1959 in

arow, they could go around the world seven times.

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 Body: part 2
Research question 1:
Why did the Barbie doll become the most famous
doll in the world?
The doll made its debut at the American International Toy Fair
in New York on March 9, 1959. This date is also used as
Barbie's official birthday.
Mattel acquired the rights to the Bild Lilli doll in 1964 and
production of Lilli was stopped. The first Barbie doll wore a
black and white zebra striped swimsuit and signature topknot
ponytail, and was available as either a blonde or brunette. The
doll was marketed as a "Teen-age Fashion Model," with her
clothes created by Mattel fashion designer Charlotte Johnson.
The first Barbie dolls were manufactured in Japan, with their
clothes hand-stitched by Japanese homeworkers. Around
350,000 Barbie dolls were sold during the first year of
production.
Ruth Handler believed that it was important for Barbie to
have an adult appearance, and early market research showed
that some parents were unhappy about the doll's chest, which
had distinct breasts.
Mattel has created a range of companions for Barbie,
including Hispanic Teresa, Midge, African American Christie,
and Steven (Christie's boyfriend). Barbie's siblings and
cousins were also created including Skipper, Todd and Stacie
(twin brother and sister), Kelly, Krissy, and Francie. Barbie
was friendly with Blaine, an Australian surfer, during her split
with Ken in 2004.
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Barbie as a celebrity.
Barbie has appeared in a series of animated films and is a
supporting character in Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3.
Barbie has become a cultural icon and has been given honors
that are rare in the toy world. In 1974, a section of Times
Square in New York City was renamed Barbie Boulevard for a
week. In 1985, the artist Andy Warhol created a painting of
Barbie.
In 2013, in Taiwan, the first Barbie-themed restaurant called
"Barbie Café" opened under the Sinlaku group.
50th anniversary
In 2009 Barbie celebrated her 50th birthday. The celebrations
included a runway show in New York for the Mercedes-Benz
Fashion Week. The event showcased fashions contributed by
fifty well-known haute couturiers including Diane von
Fürstenberg, Vera Wang, Calvin Klein, Bob Mackie, and
Christian Louboutin.

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 Research question 2:
Does Barbie have advantages or disadvantages or
both?
PROS AND CONS-
Since 1959, Barbie dolls have been one of the top selling
toys of all time. According to Tanya Lee Stone’s book “the
good, the bad, the Barbie” girls can chose to act out one or
more of Barbies 150 careers, over 200 styles of clothing
and over one million pairs of shoes (63). This lets young
girls be creative and learn women can do anything men can
do. Although this may seem like the perfect doll on the
outside, deep within Barbie have had some pretty bad
controversies. One very well known one is the size of her
breasts, hips, and waist. If Barbie were life-size, her
measurements would be a girl with a 39” chest, 19” waist
and a 36” hips . Many women groups feel that young girls
will develop anorexia from wanting to be that doll .
Although many women feel Barbie is some sort of role
model. Either way, playing with Barbie dolls are good for
young girls because it teaches them that women can do
anything men can do for Barbies 150 careers, shows good
role playing, and let’s young girls be creative for Barbies
200 outfits and 1 million pairs of shoes.
Barbie dolls are good for young girls because, they show
young girls that women can do anything men can do by
focusing hard and believing in yourself. Barbie has
experienced over 150 careers including teacher,
veterinarian, surgeon, doctor, and astronaut which only
men were allowed to do until around the 1920’s.
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Also, when the one of the biggest protest in 1963, it would be
common for the women to give Barbie dolls to their children
in protest of equal pay to men and women . However, when
“talking Barbie” came out with four random sayings one
happened to utter “Math is tough” followed by “let’s go
shopping” women groups around the country found it
degrading and horrible for women can be just as smart as
men. Mattel quickly changed it to “Math is tough, but not
impossible” but the nickname “dumb blond” stuck. If Barbie
were that stupid, she wouldn’t have later on become
president, doctor, or astronaut and attend college. About ten
years later, the song “Barbie girl” came out saying “be who
you want to be… if you want to be” gave many parents
mixed feelings for it showed some women don’t have as
many choices so they don’t get as much. Meanwhile, others
believe you have a choice and you get to choose.
Next, Playing with Barbie dolls can also help show good role-
playing, which will help them when they are older to make
the right decision. As said in the book “the Good, the Bad,
and the Barbie” by Tanya Lee Stone, shows that after a large
study, eight out of ten women found that their career
choice was based on their younger years playing with Barbie.
Although on the other hand, many parents feel that the doll
looks too perfect and would convince their kids that being
skinny and white was the only way to be happy in life.
Meanwhile, the young girls that were interviewed said that
someone close telling them that they were fat and ugly
would effect them more then a silly doll.

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Barbie gives mixed feelings to everyone, but one big effect
was how at a local newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio said that the
new Barbie movie helped many children learn the right
choices when the bully went up to Skipper and asked her to
shoplift, but she said no because she remembered Barbie told
her to do what is right. Many of the dolls have children
trying to act out something their dolls showed them.
Lastly, Barbie dolls have been seen to be these racist and
sexist toys to many critics, but one real idea Barbie tells is to
be creative. Her saying “be who you want to be” shows many
young girls that you can be who ever you want to be if you
try and believe in yourself . Since there have been over 200
styles of clothing and over 1 million pairs of shoes created
girls have more choices then they can imagine. These choices
can be great, if use them right way.
Finally, Playing with Barbie dolls are good for young girls
because it gives them career options, let’s them figure out
right from wrong, and teaches girls how to be creative.

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PROS OF BARBIE IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD
Since women are treated so badly in countries like Iran and
Iraq, seeing the independent Barbie inspires oppressed
women to speak out.
Barbie supports a culture where men and women are equal,
and in the Developing World men and women are usually
not equal
Supports Democracy because they see how successful the
West is
Supports Capitalism around the world, in order to trade the
Barbie
More trade for the US
Stronger trade relations
Promotes Barbie's slogan of "We girls can do anything"
Motivates women to become independent
Barbie can be a "mentor" to young girls
The "so in style" Barbie doll which teaches girls that they
can mentor and help younger girls
Barbie's careers make girls want to have jobs when they
grow up
Barbie represents women's freedom
Releases women from their oppression

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 Survey
Name: Date:

In the questionnaire in front of you express your opinion by marking "yes"

or "no" or "maybe".

Yes Maybe No

1 Is Barbie a feminist figure?

2 Is Barbie a dangerous character?

3 Does Barbie increase self-confidence?

4 Is only beauty important?

5 Does Barbie make you angry?

6 Would you like to be like Barbie for a day?

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If you answered the previous page, answer the questions in full
according to your answer.

Why do you think Barbie is a feminist character?

1
If you think otherwise, present your opinion on the subject.

Why is Barbie a dangerous character? If you think otherwise, describe

2
Barbie from your point of view.

Does Barbie increase your self-confidence? explain. If you disagree or

3
hesitate, show what feelings arise when you see or hear about the Barbie
doll.

Is only beauty important? explain. If you have a different opinion, explain

4
what beauty is in your eyes?

5 Does Barbie make you angry? explain. If your feelings are different, describe them.

6
Would you like to be like Barbie for a day? Describe your day as a Barbie. If you
don't want to or hesitate, explain what your inspiration for a good day is.

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After reading the project, answer the following questions.

Who invented Barbie?

AI Ruth Handler Ken, Barbie's
boyfriend.
When was Barbie created?
November 12, January 1, 2007 March 9, 1959
1968

Where was Barbie first published?

A hotel in The biggest mall in New York Toy Fair
Israel Dubai
Who was the inspiration for Barbie's name?
The president's Handler's sister Handler's daughter
aunt
Where did Ruth get the inspiration for Barbie's figure?
Inspired by her A doll called Bild Lilli, A model named
body (Ruth which was based on Twiggy
Handler's body) the character of a
sexual extrovert

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 Conclusion:
At the beginning of the project we arrived without
prior knowledge. After a thorough study of "Barbie"
we can summarize a few things. In our research we
discovered that over the years Barbie has been
criticized.
Some people think that Barbie is good for the world
and some people think it is not.
In our opinion, the subject of Barbie is controversial,
but we think that Barbie's influence is more negative
than positive.

First of all, we found out that the Barbie doll became

famous in the world after the first appearance of the
doll at the American International Toy Fair in New York
on March 9, 1959. Mattel bought the rights to the Lily
child doll in 1964 and the production of Lily was
stopped, so the sales volumes for the first year of
production were 350,000 Barbie dolls . In addition,
Barbie became a cultural icon and won a rare
distinction in the world of toys - movies, series and
more were made about the doll.

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Furthermore, in our research we discovered
advantages and disadvantages about Barbie. Some
disadvantages about the doll:
*Many women's groups feel about the doll that
young girls will develop anorexia from wanting to be
like this doll.
*When "Talking Barbie" came out with some random
statements like "Math is hard" women's groups
found it humiliating and horrifying because women
can be just as smart as men.
Despite the disadvantages, Barbie also has some
advantages such as:
*Promotes Barbie's slogan of "We girls can do
anything".
*Barbie represents women's freedom.
*Frees women from oppression.

After our research we realized that when damage is

caused to the body and soul, there is an obligation
to stop the formation of the cause of this, that is, a
dangerous Barbie doll.

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 Reflection
1. Did you enjoy working on the project?
A project is a deep thing that requires thinking and research.
We enjoyed working on the project for several reasons.
First of all, when we started the work we discovered new
things, ones we would not have thought of. In addition, we
improved our English. For example, we read articles in
English about "Barbie", heard songs about "Barbie" and thus
expanded our knowledge. Furthermore, within the group we
got to communicate better and get to know each other
better.
In conclusion, the project managed to bring out the best in
us and benefited us in our personal lives as well.
2. What new things did you learn from the project?
The project is a good thing that helps to develop the thought.
Thanks to the project we learned about the history of Barbie.
First, we discovered many things about the innocent little
doll that we played with a lot as children. For example, Ruth
Handler is the one who invented it, the name of the doll was
chosen after Ruth's daughter. In addition, we discovered that
even something as small and innocent as a doll can cause a
lot of noise in the world. For example, if Ruth's goal was to
present such a doll that little girls could fulfill their dreams
with, she became a doll that, in general, symbolizes what the
model of beauty is.

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3. Which part of the project did you find the most interesting?
Explain.
The project has many interesting parts. One of the interesting
things we were happy to know was to know people's opinions. For
example, we used Google to find reviews of "Barbie" over the years
and were surprised to find opinions that differed from our own.
4. Which part of the project did you find the most difficult to do?
Explain.
Although the work on the project is fascinating, some problems
arise.
First of all, working on a project requires in-depth research, but
you don't always find the necessary information right away. For
example, we found ourselves looking for sources of information
for a long time. In addition, when working in a group for a project,
not everyone can always work at the same time, which makes
execution difficult.
5. How did the instructions help you in your work?
There is no doubt that without the instructions, we would have
been lost. It's a long job, so without the instructions we wouldn't
have managed. They gave us a clear explanations what to do step
by step.
6. Did you enjoy working individually /in pair/ in group? Yes/No.
Explain.
We carried out the project as a group. We enjoyed working in a
group despite the difficulties for several reasons.
First of all, when working on something together there are a
variety of opinions and additional ideas for the project. In addition,
the work can be divided, which makes it easier for all members of
the group.
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7. What new skills did you learn?
We learned how to search for information, how to collect, how
to summarize information, how to write introduction, research
questions, how to write conclusion, reflection, bibliography, we
used a number of skills such as thinking skills of cause and
effect, comparisons and even identifying difficult dilemmas
and coping methods.
8. Did the work on the project improve your knowledge of
English? Explain.
Working in the project significantly improves knowledge of
English for several reasons.
First of all, most of the work is done in English. For example:
reading English articles, listening to English reviews or music
helps improve language ability. In addition, the project expands
the vocabulary and thus improves the learning ability of the
English language.

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 Bibliography
In our work we used the internet and below are the links:
1. Aqua - Barbie Girl : https://youtu.be/ZyhrYis509A?si=6guXZ46F-UQM8k_i
2. Barbie Is Very Pretty But Not Very Deep: https://time.com/6295639/barbie-movie-
review/
3. Opinion-I’m a feminist mom. Barbie is welcome in my Dreamhouse.:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/20/barbie-movie-feminism-
parenting/
4. 10 things you didn't know about Barbie: https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-
2433874,00.html
5. The movie Barbie is feminist, cynical and sharp - but not enough:
https://www.calcalist.co.il/style/article/b1t4gvb52
6. User Reviews: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517268/reviews
7. What Do You Think of Barbie?: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/19/learning/barbie-
student-opinion.html
8. Who created Barbie? Get to know the history, facts of the iconic doll's origins:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2023/07/13/who-created-barbie/11746176002/

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