How Barbie became the world's most popular doll: it had poor sales at the start and was criticised by feminists in the 1970s now, it's made billions and Margot Robbie will Who created the Barbie doll? The dramatic rise and fall of Ruth Handler, the woman who co founded Mattel ABC News Liberator Humphrey Sex Toy Pillow Black Ruth Handler's Role in 'Barbie' Movie Explained Us Weekly The real life inspiration for Barbie Before Barbie's official debut in 1959, most young girls were given baby dolls as toys, meaning that they often found themselves playing the role of a mother or a caregiver. But since