Computer Engineer Barbie, equipped with a pink phone and laptop, is the 126th career doll in the Barbie lineup. In 2010, for the first time in the company's history, Mattel invited people to vote for the doll's next professional move. Voters could choose among five options: Computer Engineer, Architect, Environmentalist, News Anchor, and Surgeon. Although girls preferred News Anchor, Computer Engineer was the most popular choice in online polling. They were both produced at the same time.

The doll came with a special code that unlocked online career-themed content, aiming to inspire young girls to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. However, it also ignited controversy and sparked discussions about gender representation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.

A companion book titled "Barbie: I Can Be A Computer Engineer" featured a storyline in which Barbie was depicted as needing assistance from her male friends to solve a computer problem. This portrayal reinforced the notion that women are less capable in technical fields, exemplified by statements like, "I'm only creating the design ideas; I'll need Steven's and Brian's help to turn it into a real game." Such narratives contradicted the empowering message that Barbie dolls are typically intended to…