History Today: When Barbie was introduced and changed the toy industry forever

On this day in 1959, the first Barbie doll was introduced to the world at the American Toy Fair in New York City. It became the first mass-produced toy doll in the United States to feature adult characteristics.

Are you interested in reading about important moments from the past? If you have a keen curiosity about historical events, Firstpost Explainers’ ongoing series, History Today , delves into key affairs that shaped the world.

On this day in 1945, US warplanes launched a new bombing offensive against Japan, dropping 2,000 tons of incendiary bombs on Tokyo over 48 hours. Also, on this day in 1964, the first Ford Mustang came off the assembly line.

Let’s take a look at these events in detail:

Hi Barbie!

On March 9, 1959, the first Barbie doll was presented at the American Toy Fair in New York City.

Ruth Handler, who co-founded Mattel, Inc. with her husband in 1945, was the creator of Barbie . Standing eleven inches tall with long blonde hair, Barbie became the first mass-produced toy doll in the United States designed with adult features.

Handler came up with the idea after noticing that her young daughter preferred playing with paper dolls of adult women rather than baby dolls. This made her realise there was a gap in the market for a toy that let young girls imagine their future.

Barbie became a massive success over time, but she also sparked considerable debate. Supporters believed she represented a shift away from the traditional gender roles of the 1950s. Over the years, Barbie took on a variety of professions, including airline stewardess, doctor, pilot, astronaut, Olympic athlete, and even a US presidential candidate.

However, critics argued that Barbie’s vast collection of designer clothes, cars, and luxurious homes encouraged materialism among children. The most controversial issue was her physical appearance - her tiny waist and large breasts led to claims that Barbie set unrealistic and harmful beauty standards, promoting negative body image among young girls.

The devastating firebombing of Tokyo

Tonight in 1945, US warplanes launched a major bombing offensive against Japan, unleashing 2,000 tons of incendiary bombs on Tokyo over a 48-hour period.

The attack resulted in an estimated 100,000 civilian deaths, left 1 million people homeless, and reduced 16 square miles (41 square kilometres) of the city to ashes, marking the deadliest firestorm in history.

In the early hours of March 9, Air Force crews gathered on the Mariana Islands of Tinian and Saipan for a military briefing. They were preparing for a low-altitude bombing raid on Tokyo that night, with one key difference - their planes would carry no weapons except for the tail turret.

Approval for the cluster bombing of Tokyo’s Shitamachi district had been granted only hours before. Home to around 750,000 residents packed into wooden-frame buildings, the area was a prime target for what was seen as an experiment in firebombing.

A fleet of 334 bombers, flying at just 500 feet, released their payloads, setting off a massive inferno. Strong winds of 30 knots fuelled the flames, rapidly engulfing Shitamachi and spreading destruction across Tokyo.

The devastation was so overwhelming that the pilots above could see red mist rising from the city, and the stench of burning flesh made some so ill that they had to use oxygen masks to avoid vomiting.

Ford Mustang’s production begins

On this day in 1964, the Ford Mustang was produced for the first time, marking the beginning of an iconic American car.

Lee Iacocca, then vice president and general manager of Ford Division, first envisioned the Mustang in 1961.

His concept was for a four-seater vehicle with bucket seats and a floor-mounted shifter, weighing under 2,500 pounds and priced below $2,500, according to Mustang Specs, a research website dedicated to the model.

Following multiple discussions, funding was approved in September 1962. Eighteen months later, in March 1964, the first Mustang was manufactured.

To keep production costs low, Ford adapted several components from the Falcon, according to Mustang Specs.

The Mustang proved to be an instant success. On its launch day alone, 22,000 units were sold. By the end of 1964, Ford had sold 263,434 Mustangs.

By its first anniversary, sales had surged to 418,812.

This Day, That Year

1934: Yuri Gagarin, the Soviet cosmonaut who became the first human to journey into space, is born.

1951: Indian tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, known for his exceptional compositions and accolades like the Padma Bhushan and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards, is born.

1956: Shashi Tharoor, Congress leader and the Member of Parliament representing Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is born.

1997: Rapper “The Notorious B.I.G.” (Christopher Wallace) was shot in a drive-by attack in Los Angeles at the age of 24, a case that remains unsolved.

2012: Cricketer Rahul Dravid announced his retirement from Test and domestic cricket.

2015: Then-US President Barack Obama issued an executive order declaring Venezuela a threat to national security.

2022: Yoon Suk Yeol became the president of South Korea.