THE STORIED HISTORY OF BARBIE AND ALL HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS

by: Terry Edwards

Barbie sure has had more than her share of friends over the years. Here is a list of all her many friends and acquaintances since she came out in 1959. See if you can remember some of these from years gone by. Beside the names are the years in which each doll was made and available.

Barbie - She started in 1959 and is still going strong to this day.

Ken - Introduced in 1961 as Barbie's boyfriend, Ken was a long time companion of Barbie up until 2004 when they separated.

Midge - She was a best friend of Barbie's from 1963-66 and then again from 1988 until now.

Skipper - The Barbie doll little sister, Skipper was introduced in 1964 and is still available today.

Allan - This was Ken's first friend from 1964-65.

Skooter - Skipper needed a good friend and along came Skooter in 1965-66.

Ricky - Another friend of Skipper's in 1965 was Ricky, but he didn't stick around for long.

Tutti & Todd - In 1966 Barbie got herself twins! Another little sister and a brother.

Francie - Introduced as Barbie's cousin in 1966, Francie was around up until 1976.

Chris - This was Tutti's best friend in 1967. Must have moved away after that.

Casey - Francie's best friend in 1967 and again in 1974.

Christie - She has been one of Barbie's longtime friends, from 1968 until now, Christie has been by her side.

Stacey - She was another friend of Barbie's during the late 60's.

PJ - Another of Barbie's popular friends from 1969-1985.

Brad - He was on of Ken's buddies in 1970.

Jamie - One of Barbie's many friends, she was around from 1970-72.

Fluff - A new friend of Skipper's in 1971.

Tiff - Another one of Skipper's friends in 1972.

Steffi - She was only around for one year as Barbie's friend in 1972.

Kelley - During 1973-74, Kelley was one of Barbie's acqauintances.

Cara - Yet another friend of Barbie from 1975-76.

Curtis - Ken's new friend in 1976.

Ginger - She was a friend of Skipper's in 1976.

Scott - Another one of Skipper's friends in 1980.

Dana - A friend of Barbie's in 1986-87.

Dee Dee - Barbie's friend during 1986-87.

Derek - A buddy of Ken's in 1986-87.

Diva - One of Barbie's friends from 1986-87.

Miko - Barbie's friend in 1986-89.

Whitney - A friend of Barbie's from 1987-89.

Becky - Belinda - Bopsy - All three were Barbie's friends in 1988.

Steven - He has been Ken's best friend since 1988 until now.

Teresa - One of Barbie's good friends from 1988 until now.

Jazzie - A cousin of Barbie's from 1989-93.

Chelsie - Dude - Stacie - All were friends of Jazzie in 1989.

Courtney - She is Skipper's good friend from 1989 until now.

Kayla - Barbie's friend in 1989 and again in 1994.

Stacie - Another of Barbie's sisters born in 1992 until now.

Todd - Barbie's brother in 1991.

Kelly - Another sister of Barbie's in 1995.

Becky - Chelsie - Melody - Deidre - Jenny - Marissa - Tommy - All are friends of Kelly since 1996 and 1997.

Of course, there have been other friends of Barbie and Ken during the 90's and up until this very day. What a family Barbie has had, along with more friends than most could imagine. I'm sure the future has many more new acquaintances in store.

BARBIE DOLL - THE PERFECT FIGURE?

by: Terry Edwards

While no one will argue with the popularity of Mattel's Barbie Doll, one area that has raised its fair share of controversy over the years is her figure.

Many parents from around the world have argued that Barbie's ultra-slim figure represents a ridiculous standard for a body shape. They say that many girls grow up thinking that they must have the same figure as Barbie or there is something wrong with them. While I don't take that radical of a stance, I will say that it would be quite difficult to measure up to Barbie's standards.

If you take the measurements of Barbie, she would be over 7 feet tall, weigh around 125 pounds, and have a shape of 32-20-42. Of course, no woman could maintain a figure like that, but this is where the controversy stems.

In addition, Barbie has a very long neck. In fact, her neck is nearly twice the size of the average woman. Her feet are also another source of criticism with many saying that Barbie's feet are only half the size of a normal womans due to foot binding. That is the practice of preventing your feet from growing by constricting them.

Some have went as far as saying that the Barbie doll has caused their children to become anorexic from trying to maintain Barbie's figure. I think that may be a little extreme, but I can see both sides.

In recent years, Mattel has given in a little bit on this issue and widened Barbie's waist a bit. This took place around the year 2000. Barbie now has a more proportioned waist.

Regardless of what Barbie's figure looks like, or who is right or wrong on this issue, the real winner in this debate is Mattel. The added controversy and publicity only helps to fuel sales. I wonder why no one talks about Ken's figure?