Bild Lilli Doll - Curtesy of unknown.
The Bild Lilli Drama
While Ruth was brainstorming ideas, over in Germany, they were ahead of the game. Meet Bild Lilli, an adult comic character often found in bathing suits and short dresses. Lilli is often thought as the inspriation of Barbie and with that brought a lot of controversy. In 1964 Mattel purchased the copyright to Bild Lilli and in 2003 Mattel was sued for stealing their idea but ultimately, Mattel won the trial.
Lilli has wide hips, big boobs, a tiny waist, blonde hair, big lips, and an attitude. Sound familiar?
Though Ruth has denied it, it is widely agreed in the doll community that Barbie was modeled after Lilli. Barbie was a doll for kids, Lilli was a doll for adults.
The Bild Lilli comics appeared in The German Tabloid in the 1940s and 50s. Lilli was a great success and even though her comics weren’t exactly family friendly, a doll was manufactured based directly off the comics.
Curtesy of German Tabloid
In this photo you can see a man taking photos of Lilli changing clothes. Curtesy of German Tabloid
Bild Lilli dolls started being manufactured in 1951/1952 and were bought by adults. The dolls were suggestive and sexual.
If Lilli really was the inspiration for Barbie, it would explain Barbie's mature figure.