A German Tabloid Claims It Was The Inspiration For Barbie
Unbranded
2 years ago
With the global frenzy surrounding the release of the Barbie movie, a surprising revelation has emerged from Germany's Bild tabloid, suggesting its connection to the phenomenon. As the Barbiemania sweeps the planet, Bild claims to be the inspiration for the iconic doll.
The roots of Barbie's creation trace back to Bild-Lilli, a doll with silky-blonde hair and captivating eye makeup that made its debut in 1955. The doll's conception can be traced back to a cartoon drawn to fill space in the very first edition of the Bild tabloid. The cartoon, featuring a woman named Lilli, was sketched by cartoonist Reinhard Beuthian, who could not have foreseen the cultural revolution his creation would set in motion.
Lilli, initially conceived as a portrayal of the modern West German woman, represented an independent and confident individual who not only looked good but also held a job and earned her own income. "She didn't just look good, she had a job, she was single and earned her own money, she was self-confident and independent," explained Lars Broder-Keil, Head of the Archive at Bild Publisher Axel Springer Verlag.
The connection between Bild-Lilli and Barbie crystallized when US businesswoman Ruth Handler encountered the German doll in a Swiss store window. Recognizing the potential of Lilli's image, Handler launched the Barbie doll in 1959 with only minor alterations from the Bild-Lilli prototype.
The uncanny resemblance between the two dolls became a subject of legal contention as the owners of the original German doll filed a lawsuit against the American manufacturers. The rights to Mattel were eventually secured for $25,000.
Comparing Bild-Lilli and Barbie side by side reveals undeniable similarities in their appearance and origins, reinforcing the narrative that Lilli served as Barbie's German grandmother.
Image Credit: Getty Images