Barbie as a Reflection of the 1950's Culture
The initial emphasis was on Barbie's appearance, which reflected American society's attitude toward women. Barbie was used as a "teaching tool for femininity" (Dembner "35 and Still a Doll"). As the ideal western woman with long legs and arms, a small waist, and high round chest, Barbie represented every little girl's dream of the perfect mature body. Although there was a controversy (and still remains) over Barbie's breasts, Ruth Handler stated "Barbie was originally created to project every little girl's dream of the future and that dream (in 1959) included a mature figure" (BillyBoy 22). Also, Barbie had freckle and blemish free skin with just the proper amount of make-up on.
Other clues to 1950's American society can be seen on her original box and in the fashion booklet that accompanied her. The box is covered in haute-couture style drawings making Barbie a very fashionable figure. The cover of the booklet (as seen in Figure 2) is of Barbie's profile. Her side-ways glancing look was set against a pink background creating an air of "remarkable sophistication" (BillyBoy 18). Also, her "bright blond ponytail and saucy red lips suggested Americana and youth" (BillyBoy 18). Since slumber parties were popular among teenage girls in the late 50's, the first page of the booklet shows Barbie in dreamy, fluffy sleepwear. The next outfits pertained to hygiene and homemaking, two important skills taught to teenagers. Barbie has a pleasant attitude toward cleanliness portraying it as a cheerful experience. Barbie is seen in a Bar-B-Q outfit showing the homemaking skills required for being a good wife.
Aside from the outer garments, Barbie also wore undergarments that symbolized adulthood. She had a girdle, which was a necessary garment to encourage good posture in women. Barbie's first wardrobe also included two strap-less bras, one half slip, and one floral petticoat (Johnson "History"). All private and embarrassing questions about growing up could be answered by dressing Barbie.
Other outfits of Barbie reflected American tradition and attitudes toward females. A popular outfit of the first Barbie was the wedding dress. In the 50's, marriage was a sacred institution viewed as a necessary step in adulthood. She also owned clothing for safe recreational activities such as playing tennis and dancing ballet. These were accepted sports for women to participate in.
Fashion developments of the 1950's appeared in Barbie's wardrobes. Mattel used the latest fabric innovations such as nylon tricot, nylon tulle, sheer nylon, and nylon net, as materials for Barbie's clothing (BillyBoy 27). As women were purchasing tights, Barbie was given her first pair in 1961 to keep up with current feminine trends.
Mattel feared that Barbie's image was too perfect so they decided to create a more personal side of Barbie making her appear more like a real person. Society's emphasis was on a strong nuclear family, therefore in the 60's Barbie's parents were identified as Robert and Margareth Roberts from Willows, Wisconsin (Kehoe "Barbie"). Along with parents, Mattel developed a boyfriend and female friend for Barbie. Ken, named after the Handler's son, was introduced in 1961, and Midge, Barbie's freckle faced friend, debuted in 1963 (See Figures 4 and 5).
Because of Barbie's lack of a family, her first relation was a male companion named Ken. The first advertisement for Ken said, "He's a doll!" (BillyBoy 40). Barbie's boyfriend was given an image of "innocence, cleanliness, extroverted playfulness, boyish masculinity, and a hint of shyness" (BillyBoy 40). To accompany this image, Ken came with teenage male essentials, such as a letter sweater, tuxedo, and a gray flannel suit. One of the biggest questions facing Mattel was how anatomically correct should Ken be. They finally determined that young girls did not need to be exposed to some realities of adulthood; therefore Ken was born with permanent underwear.
Ken's development portrays one of the expectations of 1950's women. It was necessary to create Ken because "women were considered failures without male companionship" (Johnson "Barbie's Effects on American Suburban Culture").
All propaganda involving Barbie and Ken portray them as the stereotypical teenage couple. The first television commercial for Ken takes place at a ball. Amid this romantic scene, Barbie spots Ken, and it's love at first sight. All of the ads for Barbie and her "handsome steady" are a reflection of the innocent qualities of courtship (Weiss "Toys Were Us"). Ken and Barbie had coordinating outfits for the "beach, fraternity dances, after-school sodas, etc" (BillyBoy 41). A magazine about Barbie and Ken's adventures was published. Barbie and Ken were seen as being so much in love that they could not go anywhere without each other (as seen in Figure 3). After Barbie helps Ken in the garden, she says, "I'd do it any time Ken, just so long as we're together" (BillyBoy 42). Compared to modern culture, this is an extremely cordial and sappy relationship. The Barbie and Ken comic book furthers the portrayal of male and female relations of the early 1960's before the hippie culture invaded.
In 1961, Mattel produced a record of songs about Ken performed by Barbie. Through this music, girls could learn about proper social manners when dating. Evident in the lyrics are the games girls would play, such as coyness and aloofness, in teenage relations. This record also reinforced Barbie as a realistic character helping to shape her personality (BillyBoy 44).
To counter Barbie's perfection, Mattel introduced Midge Hadley, Barbie's best friend. Midge was seen as more approachable than Barbie was because she was less glamorous and less intimidating. Midge had Barbie's body but a wider, friendly face covered in freckles. Her look was intended to be "thoughtful" (Weiss "Toys Were Us").
Continuing to soften Barbie's image, Mattel gave her a face-lift in 1961. The plastic surgery consisted of curved eyebrows and blue eyes. As Barbie is known for keeping up with the latest styles, she received a bubble hairstyle similar to the one worn by Jackie Kennedy (Weiss "Toys Were Us").
Aside from the above restraints placed on Barbie, she did have one quality that broke her away from the traditional female mold. Barbie was independent and showed little girls that they could be anything they could imagine. Through Barbie, all their dreams of adulthood could come true. Mattel used this as a marketing technique, and it has stood the test of time.