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Who Invented Barbie Girl?

Published in Barbie Invention 2 mins read

The question "Who invented Barbie girl?" is slightly misleading. It seems to be asking about the creation of the Barbie doll, when actually it refers to the popular 1997 song "Barbie Girl" by the Danish-Norwegian band Aqua. To clarify, Ruth Handler invented the Barbie doll.


While Ruth Handler, the American businesswoman, created Barbie, the song "Barbie Girl" is the work of Aqua, not Ruth Handler. The song is not directly related to the creation of the doll itself, but it became iconic because of its reference to the Barbie doll.


Understanding the Difference:

Item Creator Description
Barbie Doll Ruth Handler Fashion doll by Mattel, introduced in 1959.
"Barbie Girl" Song Aqua A 1997 song by a Danish-Norwegian band.


Ruth Handler and the Barbie Doll:

  • Ruth Handler conceptualized and created the Barbie doll, which was introduced by Mattel on March 9, 1959.
  • Barbie was envisioned as a three-dimensional representation of adult female figures, allowing children to imagine their future selves.
  • Handler's creation, aimed to allow girls to "play" at being adults, was a significant departure from existing baby dolls.


Aqua's "Barbie Girl"

  • This song, released in 1997, features a satirical and bubblegum pop take on the Barbie and Ken characters, popularizing the phrase "Barbie Girl" in a different context.
  • The song’s lyrics and music are not connected with the actual creation of the doll, even though it used the image of Barbie.


In conclusion, Ruth Handler invented the Barbie doll, while the band Aqua created the song "Barbie Girl." The question mixes up the creation of the doll with the name of the song.


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