The Doll That Defined Generations: The Most Popular Barbies Ever Made

The Barbie doll debuted on March 9, 1959, introduced by toy company Mattel at the American Toy Fair in New York City. Almost immediately it was a hit. To date, there has been no doll as famous – or as popular – as the Barbie doll. It's been 65 years since Barbie debuted and much about her has changed over the years but one thing has remained – her popularity – and many of the most popular Barbies illustrate what made her so appealing.

Created by Ruth Handler who got the idea from watching her daughter Barbara play with paper dolls, Handler realized there was a gap in the toy market that could be filled with an adult-looking doll since most dolls looked like infants. The original Barbie was designed after a German comic strip character called Lilli, but her looks have evolved significantly over the years, whether caving to market pressure or being criticized for lack of diversity.

24/7 Tempo has created a list of the most popular Barbies ever made by sourcing information from Mattel. To date, more than a billion Barbies, and her friends, have been sold all over the world, resulting in over $3 billion in sales since her release, and she is now one of the best-selling – and most diverse – dolls ever. (Perhaps you can find a vintage Barbie at a thrift shop.)

Here is the doll that defined generations: the most popular Barbies ever made:

• Released in: 1959

The first Barbie doll ever appeared on March 9, 1959, at a toy fair in New York City. She was 11 inches tall, had blonde hair tied in a ponytail, and wore a bathing suit in black and white stripes. (A brunette version was released later that year.) The original Barbie was also the most popular of the decade, according to Mattel.

• Released in: 1962

The first Barbie Dreamhouse was such a big deal that it may have inspired many girls to pursue a career in architecture. It first came out in 1962 and was made of a simple cardboard rectangle — a studio for a Barbie living alone. It came with cardboard furniture that could be moved around and with plastic hangers in the closet. You can still buy a reproduction of the original Barbie Dreamhouse.

• Released in: 1965

Both Barbie and Ken were released as astronauts in 1965, reflecting the enthusiasm in the U.S. around the space program. Mattel was on the right track. Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon four years later. A woman had already been in space though — Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova in 1963. Mattel reproduced the original doll astronauts in 2010.

• Released in: 1967

Collectors call the Turn N Twist Barbie TNT. She was the first of what later became known as the Mod Barbie Era from 1967 to 1973. The doll looks a little different because she has rooted eyelashes, long straight hair, bendable legs, and her waist can be turned, hence the name. The Twist N Turn Barbie was the most popular in the 1960s, according to Mattel.

• Released in: 1968

The first talking Barbie had a string at the back of her neck that had to be pulled. She had rooted eyelashes, Barbie's iconic ponytail but twisted and turned to the side, and new hands — the fingers were divided. This was the first model with separated fingers.

• Released in: 1971

The Malibu doll permanently sealed Barbie's reputation as the quintessential California girl who loves the sun and the beach. She appears in an aqua-blue bathing suit, carrying a yellow towel and sunglasses.

The original commercial about her at the time describes her as a girl having a cool, fun-loving West Coast attitude. The Malibu Barbie was the most popular of the 1970s, according to Mattel.

• Released in: 1973

The Quick Curl Barbie had a new feature — her hair could be quickly curled. The doll has minuscule wires running through its hair, allowing it to be curled easily. And the hair could go in any direction. Imagine the hairdos some children must have come up with.

• Released in: 1974

Barbie's signature Townhouse was an update of the doll's Dreamhouse from the 1960s. The Townhouse's furniture and features were actually printed on the wall. The house has three floors, six rooms, and even an elevator. More modern versions have actual furniture like a bed, table, chairs, and even a bathtub.

• Released in: 1980

There were other African-American dolls in the doll's family, but this was the first black Barbie. She was part of the "My Favorite Barbie Doll" collection. The doll has a short Afro hairdo. A 2009 reproduction of the Barbie later featured a pantsuit ensemble.

• Released in: 1989

The Flight Time Barbie in 1989 came with a pink suit that transformed into a glamorous party outfit. And children playing with her could change her hair in any style they wanted. Today, the Pilot Barbie comes in a blue pantsuit, wearing a tie and a blue pilot hat.

• Released in: 1992

Barbie has been a presidential candidate a total of six times, with her first attempt to win the White House beginning in 1992. No woman in real life had run for president by then. In 2016, she ran on the first all-female ticket. Maybe soon we'll have a Barbie president.

• Released in: 1993

Police officer by day, party girl by night. Barbie Police Officer comes with two outfits: a full uniform, which includes a navy blue shirt, long pants, hat, a tie, and even a buckle, and the other an elegant white polka dot skirt and a golden top. This doll is part of the career girl collection.

• Released in: 1994

Barbie is coming to the rescue. Firefighter Barbie, wearing a yellow firefighter coat and pants, is also part of the career collection and even comes with a first aid kit. An updated version has Barbie wearing a red firefighter coat, black pants, boots, and a red firefighter hat with a "B" emblem. A new version was released for Barbie's 60th anniversary.

• Released in: 2001

This Barbie is a sign language teacher who wants to inspire children to learn new languages. Unlike other dolls, this version has Barbie's fingers molded into the sign that means "I love you." The package also includes other common words and their signs in American Sign Language.

• Released in: 2009

The Barbie Fashionista line is among the most diverse in the doll's history. It includes 40 dolls, seven body types, 11 skin tones, and 28 hairstyles. There are even 15 Ken dolls, one of which has a man bun, and another has freckles. The Fashionistas line was the most popular in the 2010s, according to Mattel.

• Released in: 2010

The Computer Engineer Barbie was a popular doll, but it went down in history as one of the most controversial ones, too. She was the first doll of the Career of the Year program, and Computer Engineer was selected by the public.

The packaging originally included a book called "Barbie: I Can Be A Computer Engineer." But it also stated that Barbie will not be able to finish the product she's working on as an engineer and get rid of a virus unless she asks for the boys' help. The book was eventually discontinued.

• Released in: 2019

Barbie's marking her diamond anniversary in 2019 with a glamorous red carpet look of her gown that twinkles with silvery sparkles. As for hairstyle — she goes back to her origins. Her iconic ponytail has an elegant twist.

The red lipstick is also a nostalgic detail, paying homage to the original doll, whose signature feature was the red lips and high ponytail.