LOS ANGELES, April 28 — Ruth Handler, who created Barbie, the world’s most popular doll, died Saturday. She was 85. Handler, who also co-founded the Mattel toy company, died at Century City Hospital, a hospital spokesperson said without releasing details. Since Handler’s creation, named for her daughter Barbara, was introduced in 1959 it has become an American icon and a touchstone of cultural politics.

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Thanks for announcing it, I'd announced I was going to put it here in the section we started on Barbies. I didn't get the chance to hunt for the link.
The history of Barbie is very interesting and we are sharing stories in the memory section as well if you'd like to share yours.
No matter what her detractors say about her, Barbie has given many thousands of years of pleasure to the girls who played with her.
What people who criticize her don't realize is, and I confess I wasn't very thrilled about my daughter's Barbie thing at first, that Barbie is a pink dream for girls to indulge in, of being grown up. It has nothing to do with the everyday world!

that is so sad to what happen to her. im gonna miss not having more barbies come out.

teenytigger, if you think that this means no more Barbies then you are probably mistaken, the dolls are made by a company and the death of the original designer won't stop a thriving industry.

When Walt Disney died what he created lived on. Transformed, but it continued in his name.

i know now, someone told me, and i was told the barbie stuff is worth money, but i won't get any money for my barbie stuff cause ive played with all my barbies and stuff.

I'm glad that you've played with your Barbies, Tennytigger ... it alwyas annoys me that people buy things like that and never take them out of the box. I know a woman that bought a Barbie for her daughter and then wouldn't let her take it out of the box because it was going to be worth money in years to come ... the little girl would've given her right arm to rip that box open and start playing.

Depending on what it is (really unique figures are better than mass-generated ones), you can still get something for them. But, you'll probably have to wait many years for them to become "antiques" before you can sell them. I've seen "played with" Barbies in antique stores for between $20 and $50 - depending on what kind and the age.

But, you're right. As with anything else, leaving the product in the original packaging in pristine condition is the only way to really get some money for them. It's a decision you have to make - treat a toy as a beloved toy or as an investment opportunity. Personally, I'd rather see a Barbie or other toy actually loved and played with by a child than have them place it on a shelf by the parent in hopes that it makes some money "some day." (But, that's just me! I'm also the person that loves antique books that you can tell were treasured by the reader!)

Looks like Copago and I were posting at the same time! Also looks like we're of the same opinion!

Play with those toys! Love them!

Great minds, Linda.

hehe you guys are so silly

I had a garage sale when I left the States and also an ad in the paper, I mentioned the word "toys" as the items I was selling.
Grown men called me up and whispered, "you don't have any Barbies do you?"
"well yes, I have plenty but they aren't for sale."
"Oh, I'm very interested in them...especially in packaging. Do you have some?"
"No sir, our Barbies have been trailed around the world, stuck in fountains, had Kleenex gowns and ribbons, and had their hair snipped off, and married ken about fifty thousand times and they are loved!"
"Ah ok. Any Pez dispensers?"
No!
"oh, any Matchboxes?"
"no"

We sold almost everything and packed up about 25 Barbies and their campers and their clothes and their hubbies and that's the only thing that we shipped to Europe!

The only doll we don't get out, is made of China and greatgrandma was waiting until the great granddaughters were five before she gave them to the children and she passed away first. We received her in the mail.

But how sad to have a doll and not play with her!

I think my grandmother has every barbie ever made... I am sure she will be in mourning. ALL of her's are pretty much still in the boxes.