Ruth Handler

inventor · business · toys · women in business

Invented Barbie. In 1959, Ruth Handler created the Barbie doll, a teenage fashion doll that became one of the most popular toys ever made. She designed Barbie to show girls that they could be anything they wanted to be.

Built Mattel. Ruth and her husband Elliot founded Mattel in 1945, starting small but growing it into one of the world's largest toy companies. She served as the company's first president for 30 years.

Bold inventor. Ruth was creative and brave, thinking of ideas that other toy makers hadn't considered. She believed in making toys that helped children imagine their futures.

Ran the company. Ruth didn't just invent Barbie, she also ran the whole business side of Mattel, making decisions about what toys to create and how to sell them.