Barbie..the sex worker

[WillBrink]

As usual, truth is stranger then fiction. I'm listening to NPR radio, and they are discussing the 50th anniversary of the Barbie Doll. I'm just about to turn the dial, when they start to discuss the actual history of Barbie, and it reminded me truth is always stranger then fiction:

"Barbie was modelled on a German doll, a three-dimensional representation of a fictional prostitute called Lilli in the comic-strip of a German newspaper, Bild Zeitung. She serviced German businessmen and was cheeky to the cops. Platinum-haired and tarty, she would do anything with sweaty clients, provided the money was right. This was the doll Ryan encountered in 1955, and he adjusted it for the consumption of American children, by tidying up her lips and filing off her nipples."

The doll Ken, was based on their son, who indeed named Ken. He was a gay man (amazingly, didn't we all know Ken was gay?) and died of AIDs in 1994.

See:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion...y-1331669.html

[d90king]

As Robert Wuhl would say "I shit you not"....

[WillBrink]

As Robert Wuhl would say "I shit you not"....

Not sure why, but I find that a truly fascinating "stranger then fiction" story. Barbie is a true national icon, and yet, we all knew something about her was not quite right and Ken was gay. I find the real story a mind blower personally. Might be a big yawn for others.

[rickrock305]

The doll Ken, was based on their son, who indeed named Ken. He was a gay man (amazingly, didn't we all know Ken was gay?)

wow

[stage2]

The doll Ken, was based on their son, who indeed named Ken. He was a gay man (amazingly, didn't we all know Ken was gay?) and died of AIDs in 1994.

Shocker!!!

[d90king]

Not sure why, but I find that a truly fascinating "stranger then fiction" story. Barbie is a true national icon, and yet, we all knew something about her was not quite right and Ken was gay. I find the real story a mind blower personally. Might be a big yawn for others.

If you like that kind of odd facts you would definitely enjoy Robert Wuhl's lectures on history. Some of the stuff you simply cant believe until you see the actual history behind.

Remember, "the legend" becomes history and many times it has nothing to do with the actual facts...

[WillBrink]

If you like that kind of odd facts you would definitely enjoy Robert Wuhl's lectures on history. Some of the stuff you simply cant believe until you see the actual history behind.

Remember, "the legend" becomes history and many times it has nothing to do with the actual facts...

Truth. I always enjoy the actual history of things vs their legend/mythology.

[davekd7ds]

[tommy5.56]

LOL nice !

[ThirdWatcher]

As a lifelong student of history, I have enjoyed Robert Wuhl's "Assume the Position" shows on HBO. He shows that the truth is indeed stranger than fiction... I $#!+ You Not.

On a more humorous note, my young warrior princesses played with Barbie dolls when they were young, but they ever wanted the Ken dolls. The did like the GI Joe dolls (ironically, both of them are currently engaged to Army NCO's). I would just about bust a gut watching Barbie ride around in a Jeep with GI Joe... it kinda reminded me of the good ol' days.

Alas, nothing lasts for ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cboVWjRVPOg