Barbie: 1970

[Mikey]

I have a replica of one in my Masterpiece Edition. I got one of the very first ones released.

I have to say I like newly sculpted version way better --- To me the brown molded regular version doesn't give an African American feel at all -- if anything, he looks like an Indian (from India)

BTW, am I the only person that thinks the newly sculpted African American version resembles Paul Winfield ?

[HardyGirl]

Really ? ... I don't think I've ever seen a brown molded standard Joe ... Now I gotta go look for pics

I have a replica of one in my Masterpiece Edition. I got one of the very first ones released.

[Werewolf]

Whoa, I had no idea that they were given full names, mind blown!

It is pretty cool.

As I understand it, there is still a loose continuity in the Barbie line.

The dolls in Barbie Fashionistas line (of different body styles, hair colors, etc.) are official "Barbies" and "Kens" but they are not THE Barbie (Barbara Millicent Roberts) and THE Ken (Kenneth Carson). The original Barbie character still exists and is the main Barbie used in the various cartoons and promotions used for the brand. Same with Ken.

[cjefferys]

Barbie (Barbara Millicent Roberts) and Ken (Kenneth Carson) were characters with names and back stories.

Whoa, I had no idea that they were given full names, mind blown!

[Earth 2 Chris]

Well, Ace made it into RAH, and Rocky...well, Rocky Balboa ALMOST made it into RAH...

Chris

[Makernaut]

It's not really comparable. The 60s Gi Joes were generic soldiers.

It is worth noting that the prototypes were given names, though, before they moved on to the "GI JOE" name. "Skip" was the Navy Frogman, "Rocky" for the Marine Paratrooper, and "Ace", the Fighter Pilot.

[drquest]

Seems weird it took so long to make an official black Barbie considering Hasbro made their black Joe in 1964 ... I think ?

1965 actually.

[Werewolf]

Yeah, Barbie had a pretty fleshed out backstory. Her parents are George and Margaret Roberts and her little sister is Skipper. She grew up in the fictional town of Willows Wisconsin with her best friend Midge Hadley.

[palitoy]

Yeah, that actually makes sense and something I never really considered.

Funny, Barbie and Joe sort of went in opposite directions. Barbie became to mean more than a blonde woman and Joe became a team of characters.

[Werewolf]

It's not really comparable. The 60s Gi Joes were generic soldiers. Barbie (Barbara Millicent Roberts) and Ken (Kenneth Carson) were characters with names and back stories. Barbie was not just the name of the line but also the main character. Starting 1980 Mattel did start releasing African American versions of Barbie and Ken along with Christie and Brad.

[Mikey]

Yeah the first black soldier was pretty early on, but even then it was the white Joe in brown plastic.

I don't think we got an actual head sculpt done until about 1971.

Really ? ... I don't think I've ever seen a brown molded standard Joe ... Now I gotta go look for pics

[palitoy]

Yeah the first black soldier was pretty early on, but even then it was the white Joe in brown plastic.

I don't think we got an actual head sculpt done until about 1971.

[Mikey]

Seems weird it took so long to make an official black Barbie considering Hasbro made their black Joe in 1964 ... I think ?

[Werewolf]

The first Christie doll was released in 1968.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Cindy has a MIB "Black Barbie" the first Barbie given that designation that wasn't a friend like Christie (as Sharry mentioned) or a media tie-in like Julia. It's a pretty cool bit of toy history.

Chris