Suitcase, Barbie, Astronaut, African American
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Object Details
- Manufacturer
- Mattel, Inc.
- Summary
- This suitcase is an accessory for Astronaut Barbie issued by Mattel in 1985. The doll came in two versions: African-American, like this one, and a blonde light-skinned version. Examples of each are both in the Museum's collection.
- Invented by Mattel Toys co-founder Ruth Handler in 1958, Barbie dolls were conceived as a toy that would allow children to play with a doll of an adult woman, not a baby or child/companion. As such, Barbie dolls allowed their owners to act out the life of a "single career girl." In the history of this immensely-popular and iconic toy, the Barbie doll has taken on several aviation- and space-themed jobs, including several versions of Barbie as a stewardess, astronaut, or pilot. Even though female astronauts participated actively in NASA's Space Shuttle program when this doll was issued, her pink and silver lam'e outfit is far more fantastical than realistic.
- This doll and costume was donated to the Museum by Mattel in 1995.
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mattel, Inc.
- ca. 1985
- Inventory Number
- A20070118005
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture
- Materials
- Plastic, paper
- Dimensions
- 3-D: 3.2 x 0.6 x 2.5cm (1 1/4 x 1/4 x 1 in.)
- Country of Origin
- MALAYSIA
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A20070118005
- Metadata Usage (text)
- Not determined
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9bf49116a-cd6e-44d7-9afa-f4451b319829
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