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