This Day in History: br The Barbie Doll Makes Its Debut March 9, 1959 The 11-inch doll was br introduced to the world br at the American Toy Fair. The doll was the br brainchild of Mattel, Inc. br cofounder, Ruth Handler. Handler based Barbie on br the German comic strip character Lilli. She named the toy after br her daughter Barbara, whose br favorites toys were the inspiration for Barbie. Mattel created the first br television commercial for br children to advertise the doll. Since its creation, br Barbie has been both an br inspiration and a controversial figure. The doll has been praised br as a role model for young girls, br while also criticized for its perceived materialism.