The exhibition, which opened on April 15, offers a Barbie chronology, from the doll?s invention by Ruth Handler ? who named it after her daughter Barbara ? and its introduction by the toy company she headed, California?s Mattel, in 1959 to its achievement of near iconic status. Even today, Barbie is a favourite at toy stores ? one Barbie doll is sold every three seconds somewhere around the world.
Barbie?s look has changed over the decades, influenced by fashion, music, film, politics and sports. She serves as a reflection of her times, whether dressed to rock ?n roll to Elvis or dance to disco, or wearing the elegant outfits of a Jackie Kennedy or a Grace Kelly. Barbie has been incarnated as an 80s aerobics dancer and a Harley-Davidson-riding biker. She has been dressed in different ethnic costumes as part of a ?dolls of the world? series, and she has been outfitted in the garb of some 60 different professions.
Movie star Barbie, pediatrician Barbie and presidential candidate Barbie are just some of the many Barbies on display at the Syma exhibition.
Sharing the Barbie exhibition will be another of the world?s most popular toys: Lego.
Source Múlt-kor/Hungarian Press Agency (MTI)
