In 1959, Barbie made her debute to the public at the New York Toy Show. On March 9, she celebrated her 50th birthday, but you would never be able to tell from the way she looks.

With her long legs, narrow waist and impressive bust size, Barbie has been a staple in little girls' toy boxes for the past five decades.

Barbie's creator, Ruth Handler, was inspired to make the doll after seeing the fascination her daughter, Barbara, had with paper dolls. Handler thought there should be a three-dimensional version of the fashion-savvy, career-driven dolls. She modeled her doll after a German doll, Lilli.

The doll was first showcased at the New York Toy Show and was named "Barbie" after Handler's daughter. Mattel sold more than 350,000 dolls the first year they were on the shelves at toy stores.

Having a figure claimed as being “too thin” and “unachievable,” Barbie was blamed for being the source of young girls having eating disorders.

However, Barbie has always been driven and focused on her career.

Barbie started off as a runway model, but quickly advanced to be a fashion designer. She has been a nurse, doctor, police officer, astronaut and many other diverse career positions.

"Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices," Handler said in the autobiography.

During the time that Barbie was created, the feminist movement was really going strong. Women’s place was in the home. But, Barbie wasn’t for that.

“I wanted [little girls] to be able to dream their dreams through Barbie,” Handler said.

Handler’s wish has definitely become a reality.

“When I was younger, my Barbie always was a teacher,” Freshman Bailey DeBardeleben said. Ten years later and DeBardeleben is working toward a major in elementary education.

Since her birth, Barbie has remained the world’s favorite and best-selling doll with more than 1 billion sold over the years. In the last 50 years, Barbie has had 108 different professions, dumped and remained somewhat distant to Ken and reincarnated three presidents.

Barbie has had many friends come and go throughout the years and has had number brothers and sisters. Most of her friends and siblings were named after someone significant in Handler’s life. For example, Ken was named for her son.

With her fifty years, Barbie has been able to connect the generations, from the Baby Boomers to Generation Y.

“I’ve been collecting Barbies since I was about 3 or 4,” Senior Meghan Wiggs said. “I’ve gotten a Holiday Barbie for Christmas every year. I just think it’s great that they’re still around. My mom played with them when she was a little girl and just kept the tradition. My kids will get Barbies also.”

So how is this fashion-diva celebrating her 50th? First, Barbie had her own fashion show in New York during Fashion Week this year.

Barbie’s friends are also throwing her an invitation-only party at her Malibu mansion. DJ AM will be providing the music and one of the best party planners has decorated for the party.

“I really wanted to go to the Malibu party, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to land an invite,” Wiggs said. “Maybe I’ll get one for her 75th.
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