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Barbie turning 50 this year
It's been 50 years since Barbie was first introduced to TV.
"Barbie dressed for swimming fun is only three dollars."
It's been 50 years since Barbie was first introduced to television audiences. A half century later, the iconic doll kicked off her year-long birthday celebration at the International Toy Fair in Germany, an event that even included a debut of real-life Barbies.
"It's a global brand in 150 different countries and our sites are developed everywhere to make sure that we unite girls around the world through Barbie."
Barbie manufacturer Mattel says three dolls are sold every second and she's changed a lot since her debut. She's had over a hundred careers including art teacher, presidential candidate and astronaut.
"Wow. she is real like me!"
There was even 1992's Rappin' Rockin' Barbie which came with her own boombox.
"Barbie's constantly changing. She changes as fashion changes in the 60s and 70s and 80s and 90s through today. Any Barbie that you look at at anytime, you can mark that moment in time with style, fashion, beauty and culture."
The celebration comes amid tough times of Barbie's maker. Mattel reported Wednesday that its profit fell by almost half in the fourth quarter of last year. Sales of the Barbie line dropped by more than 20% in the last three months of 2008. The company plans to raise prices and cut spending. And don't think that the Barbie line includes only dolls, there are DVDs, clothing, accessories, cosmetics and even Barbiegirls.com.
While Barbie will celebrate her birthday in places like Paris, Milan and Tokyo, the true test for her enduring legacy is on the shelves of toy stores.
"You do loads of things with them. They're just really really fun."
Proving that as long as there are little girls, there will be fans of the famous doll.
"More gracefully and more glamorously."
Matt Freeman, the Associated Press.
