The Original Vintage European Barbie Inspiration: Bild Lilli

You hear about Barbie's Birthday and you see vintage dolls on TV at collectors conventions. You may even know a little history. But what you may not know, is that Barbie was the inspired creation of Bild Lilli. So I had to take up the opportunity to tell you of this rather interesting doll. Also that my Grandmother now has one thanks to my bargaining skills. She is after all the only Barbie collector in the family and this doll especially took her breathe away.

Until now I only knew that Bild Lilli was the "mother" to Barbie, that she came from Germany, and that she herself was derived from a comic strip in a newspaper. So I set out to find info on this catalyst.

Starting as a cartoon baby for a very short while and then quickly set to adulthood, Lilli was only originally meant to be a filler comic in the Bild-Zeitung newspaper once. Comic artist Reinhard Beuthien was asked to perform this task set to publish June 24, 1952. About seven years before Barbie was born. The Baby Reinhard created wasn't well liked by his boss so, as it is still known, the face was kept and the womanly body drawn out. Obviously a hit a comic of Lilli was printed everyday from then one.

Lilli the comic was a working girl that was vivacious and none-the-shy when discussing sex while undaunted by the common old rich man which to date. She had fashion and many friends as well as a pre-war figure. Her last showing in the new paper was January 5, 1961.

From 1955-1964 the Lilli doll was considered costly. Ranging from 7 to 12 Mark in Germany. As with the American Barbie, Lilli was a doll of debate. Since she was set to be sold to adults only, feminist women saw her as a Female Chauvinist. Mothers certainly wouldn't buy them for their daughters. But it didn't take to long for that to change. Just as with Barbie, Lilli had a dollhouse and the like. Even separately sold wardrobe matching that of the 1950's times. Unfortunately Lilli was only sold in several European countries like Italy and Scandinavia.

There were copycats of Lilli. she could be found shipped to America under the name Lilli Marlene (after the popular song). Hong Kong dispersed similar looking Lilli's though not with the same name. What the real Lilli had to compare to other wanna-be's is that she was made high quality. In 1959 Mattel bought the rights to Lilli. It is still though a debate that Barbie originated from Lilli. in Fact a court appeal was filed in 2003. Copy infringement and property rights were argued.

The claims were dismissed. G&H claimed it was defrauded from 1964 to 2001 by Mattel based upon agreements reportedly made with Mattel. G&H therefore sought damages in form of royalties on every Barbie sold during the 37 years of claimed defrauding. Later Mattel enforced resolution of the matter. And as said Mattel was dismissed of the request. This kind of legal matter will most likely be going on for a while. So Lilli has had some rough years since 1959. None the less I do believe Lilli to be the inspiration to Barbie and I wouldn't think their to be a none legal complaint against it. After all Lilli and Barbie are one in the same and have had quiet a rise to fame.