Barbie’s official birthday is March 9, 1959, the day she was unveiled to the toy industry during the New York Toy Fair. She first appeared in her iconic black-and-white striped swimsuit, with a little ponytail. She was initially marketed as a Teenage Fashion Model, available as a blonde or a brunette. Inspired by the German doll Lilli, she was the first children's doll to have full adult features. Creator Ruth Handler defended her decision: "If [a young girl] was going to role play what she would be like when she was 16 or 17, it was a little stupid to play with a doll with a flat chest. So I…