Barbie Blunders

I got a kick out of this display of “Mattel Missteps” at the National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY. A label in the case reads: Barbie has had plenty of successes, but Mattel hasn’t always gauged customers’ responses correctly. Many derided Earring Magic Ken. A pregnant Happy Family Midge got in trouble when she […]
Barbie dolls

I got a kick out of this display of "Mattel Missteps" at the National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY. A label in the case reads:

Barbie has had plenty of successes, but Mattel hasn't always gauged customers' responses correctly. Many derided Earring Magic Ken. A pregnant Happy Family Midge got in trouble when she was marketed without her husband, Allen. Unbelievably, Mattel introduced an African-American Oreo Barbie -- which the company quickly recalled. The latest controversial doll is Tattoo Barbie, which features tattoos for both dolls and girls.

The display is part of the museum's exhibit called "Celebrating America's Favorite Doll." You can see over 500 images of the museum's online Barbie collection.