was inspired by a Bild Lilli doll – a blonde bombshell based on a German cartoon, marketed as a novelty gift for men. Barbie, meanwhile, was aimed at girls, offering a more aspirational ...

After Mattel‘s culture sweeping debut of Barbie in 1959, it took nearly 17 years for the brand to come out with a version of the collectible doll that represented more than one type of skin color.