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Barbie Beginnings Trivia Quiz

The company Mattel, originally ran from a home garage, was started by Harold Mattson and Elliot Handler. Barbie was Mattel's first doll. Created by Ruth Handler, and released in 1959, this little doll has quite a story.

A multiple-choice quiz by myrab51. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
myrab51

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
267,086

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
814

Last 3 plays: Guest 172 (3/10), Guest 208 (5/10), Guest 72 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Where did Mrs. Handler first get her idea for Barbie? Hint

She observed neighborhood children playing house.

It was from watching her daughter play paper dolls.

She wanted a doll to help her decide what outfits to wear.

It was actually the idea of Mrs. Handler's designers.

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Question 2 of 10

2. Mrs. Handler was told that the doll would be too expensive and difficult to produce, but she kept trying. How did she finally get her idea considered? Hint

She found a doll in Europe similar to the one she was describing and brought it back to the designers.

She threatened to go to a different company with the idea.

Since her husband ran the company, she had him submit the idea.

She researched production and presented them with the figures.

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Question 3 of 10

3. A very specific body type was used for Barbie. What was the primary reason for this? Hint

This was for the ease of dressing the doll.

It was easier to pass through an all male design board.

She felt it accurately represented the modern woman.

The sales would increase based upon the doll's sex appeal.

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Question 4 of 10

4. Where did Barbie make her debut? Hint

The girls on the Micky Mouse club played with her during an episode.

She was in a Christmas window display at Macy's.

It was at the 1959 American International Toy Fair.

Barbie was included in a Girl Scouts toy drive.

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Question 5 of 10

5. What is an innovative marketing technique that Mattel used to help create a demand for Barbie clothing? Hint

They placed a Viewmaster with slides of Barbie in her different outfits at each display.

They created the same outfits in paper and sold them at the dime store with the paper dolls.

You could write to Mattel for a free outfit.

The outfits were also sold out of ice cream trucks.

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Question 6 of 10

6. By 1965, Barbie's fan club was second only to which other group of that time? Hint

Girl Scouts of America

Marilyn Monroe Official Fan Club

The Young Republicans

Mickey Mouse Club

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Question 7 of 10

7. One of Mattel's early attempts to change the vinyl mixture Barbie was made from caused what? Hint

a softer more flexible torso

'Oily Head' Barbie

the Barbie to be dressed easier

a less expensive product

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who was the first face of Barbie molded from? Hint

Barbara Handler, the creator's daughter

Charlotte Johnson, Barbie's clothing designer

Audrey Hepburn

It is totally unique.

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Question 9 of 10

9. Francie, made in 1967, was the first attempt at adding what to the Barbie line? Hint

an African-American doll

a pet for the series

a little sister for Barbie

making a doll with pierced ears

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Question 10 of 10

10. In 1961, the Barbie line got another first. It was another doll to add to the line. It was named after Ruth and Elliot Handler's other child. What was the name of this doll? Hint

Ken

Skipper

Midge

Courtney

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where did Mrs. Handler first get her idea for Barbie?

Answer: It was from watching her daughter play paper dolls.

Ruth would watch her daughter, Barbara, play with paper dolls. Barbara and her friends would play as adults with jobs and mimic what they would hear their parents say. Ruth felt the girls were expressing their future dreams through play. She realized the lack of adult dolls on the market and recognized the need.

2. Mrs. Handler was told that the doll would be too expensive and difficult to produce, but she kept trying. How did she finally get her idea considered?

Answer: She found a doll in Europe similar to the one she was describing and brought it back to the designers.

During a 1956 trip to Europe with her daughter, they spotted a doll that looked like the one Mrs. Handler had in her mind. They went into the store and found more of the dolls in several different outfits. Mrs. Handler asked if the outfits were available separately, but the answer was no. You wanted a new outfit, you bought a new doll.

She found more of the dolls through Europe and took them back to Mattel to be checked out. The doll was named Bild Lilli and was based on a German cartoon character.

3. A very specific body type was used for Barbie. What was the primary reason for this?

Answer: This was for the ease of dressing the doll.

The market savvy Mrs. Handler knew that if all Barbie dolls were made in a uniform size and shape, that it would be much easier to sale changes of clothes and accessories to go with them. She knew from experience with the Bild Lilli doll that the larger legs, slightly bent wrist, and larger waist made actually changing the clothes more difficult for children.

These were changed in the production of Barbie. Charlotte Johnson, Barbie's first personal designer, made sure the dimensions were tightly adhered to.

4. Where did Barbie make her debut?

Answer: It was at the 1959 American International Toy Fair.

Barbie was met with mix reviews at the toy fair. The toy industry was skeptical of a smaller sized doll. Half of the people who looked at the doll, did however decide to order her for their stores.

5. What is an innovative marketing technique that Mattel used to help create a demand for Barbie clothing?

Answer: They placed a Viewmaster with slides of Barbie in her different outfits at each display.

Mattel felt that since separate outfits was such a new idea, that people would need help realizing the use of the product. It turned out kids were so drawn to the dolls and outfits, that stores had difficulty keeping them in stock. The Viewmasters weren't needed for this after all.

6. By 1965, Barbie's fan club was second only to which other group of that time?

Answer: Girl Scouts of America

After a $12,000,000 Mattel promotion called 'Total Go', Barbie's fan club soared to 600,000 strong. In 1988 there were a reported 650,000 members. In 2007 they limited the numbers to 7,000 a year to enhance a sense of community within the Barbie Fan Club.

7. One of Mattel's early attempts to change the vinyl mixture Barbie was made from caused what?

Answer: 'Oily Head' Barbie

In 1961, the vinyl mixture was experimented with. Due to unstable oil concentration the dolls eventually developed oily, shiny faces, arms, and legs. The oils seeped out to the point they left stains in their boxes. Live and learn.

8. Who was the first face of Barbie molded from?

Answer: Charlotte Johnson, Barbie's clothing designer

Although the early Barbie dolls make-up does remind us of Audry Hepburn during the same era, the actual facial mold was made after Charlotte Johnson.

9. Francie, made in 1967, was the first attempt at adding what to the Barbie line?

Answer: an African-American doll

Francie came in a black and a white version. The only difference between the two dolls was the darker complexion. The same mold was used for both. Christie was the first widely recognized African-American Barbie. She was introduced in 1968.

10. In 1961, the Barbie line got another first. It was another doll to add to the line. It was named after Ruth and Elliot Handler's other child. What was the name of this doll?

Answer: Ken

The designers of the Ken doll said he was very difficult to work with in the beginning. He had flocked hair. The substance they used was very light and feathery. It reacted to static and was hard to get off of places it didn't belong. This didn't last long as they soon switched to painting on his hair.

Source: Author myrab51

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