Ruth Spotted an Opportunity
When you think about it, most good business ideas come from someone seeing something revolutionary and realizing that there is potential for that product to work due to a hole in the market. And the Barbie doll is no exception to the rule… Let this be a lesson to anyone who wants to capitalize on their own idea but is yet to do so.
After her return to the States, Ruth began designing the revolutionary doll with the help of fellow designer Jack Ryan. Seeing as this new doll was essentially like another child for Ruth, she decided to name her after her own daughter, Barbara and that’s where the idea for the name Barbie came from. Barbie was released at the American International Toy Fair in New York City on March 8, 1959, which is officially known as Barbie’s birthday.