She’s the disco dolly that’s more than 60 years old, stands shorter than a ruler and who’s had more than 200 different careers.
First invented by Ruth Handler in 1959, Mattel has gone on to sell over one billion units, but this tiny doll has been troubling adults and researchers for decades.
The chances of finding a real-world woman with Barbie’s proportions are very slim.
“Barbie often finds her self centre-stage in toy controversies about body shape, gender stereotyping and even spying on children,” says Cosmos journalist Petra Stock, who presents this episode’s of Huh? Science Explained.
Huh? Science Explained is a LiSTNR production.
Read more: Barbie: Let’s get our sparkle on with the science of the world’s most famous doll
More episodes of Huh? Science Explained
Originally published by Cosmos as Think Pink: The Science of Barbie
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