T O D A Y

What's it all about, Barbie?
Introducing Salon's special Barbie supplement

Banned in Vermont
Birkenstock moms savage the bodacious blonde

The Littlest Harlot
Tracy Quan explains why Barbie is a role model for hookers

My Barbie, Myself
Camille Paglia, Cintra Wilson and others recall intimate Barbie moments

The skinny on Barbie
Fun Facts about America's doll wonder!

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T A B L E++T A L K

What is the truth about giving birth? Does it hurt like hell? Share your pain in Table Talk.

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R E C E N T L Y

"Just because I'm HIV-positive, can't I bear children?
By Lori Leibovich
Should a 38-year-old, HIV-positive ex-drug addict have a baby? Patti Radigan thought so -- and a pioneering San Francisco clinic agreed to help her
(11/25/97)

Reluctant role model
By Susan McCarthy
My classmates wanted to hear how easy it is to combine kids and graduate school
(11/24/97)

Coyote dreams
By Cynthia Romanov
Peter Coyote rescued me from a miserable divorce
(11/21/97)

Cujo's bite is worse than his bark
By Anne Lamott
The main pleasure in owning a pit bull is in detonating a sense of fear in your neighbors
(11/20/97)

Escape from parenting
By Ariel Gore
New York City turns a responsible mama into a reckless adolescent
(11/19/97)

Toying with us
By Albert Mobilio
Dissecting kids' lust for loot
(11/18/97)

ARCHIVES

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Mamafesto
Why it's time
for Mothers Who Think

HER SOCIAL VALUE IS IMMEASURABLE --BUT WHAT ABOUT HER MONETARY VALUE? When Barbie debuted in 1959, she sold for a mere three bucks. Today, an original doll is worth up to $4,500.

LIKE MY MISSILE?: Before he designed the very first Barbie, Jack Ryan worked at the Pentagon as an engineer designing Sparrow and Hawk missiles. Mattel hired him for his "space-aged savvy" and knowledge of materials. Thankfully, Ryan also had a good handle on the female form -- he was briefly married to Zsa Zsa Gabor.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY BARBIE: Barbie has had one black friend, Christie, since 1968! But it wasn't until 1980 that Mattel introduced the first Black Barbie and the first Hispanic Barbie. Both dolls have modified skin tones, hair colors and facial features, but their bodies are identical to that of their bodacious blonde bosom buddy.

EAT LEAD, KEN: In 1993, a group called the Barbie Liberation Organization sneaked into toy stores and switched the microchips in hundreds of Hasbro's "Talking Duke" GI Joes and Talking Barbies. In 43 states, the Talking Barbie said, "Eat lead, Cobra. Vengeance is mine!" while G.I. Joe said, "Let's go shopping. Will we ever have enough clothes?" The mission was intended as "a critique of gender stereotypes" in toys.

WHAT COLOR IS HER PARACHUTE?: Over the years, Barbie has undergone more than 500 professional makeovers. Her official careers have included fashion designer, flight attendant, rock star, astronaut, police officer, gymnast, veterinarian, nurse, doctor, ballerina, dentist and aerobics instructor. Her underground (aka not approved by the Mattel corporation) identities include Postal Worker Barbie, complete with machine gun; Trailer Trash Barbie; Drag Queen Barbie and Hooker Barbie.

KEN A GO GO: Barbie's boyfriend, Ken, has had some intriguing incarnations himself, including the 1967 wig-wearing "Ken a Go Go" and the 1964 "Cheerful Chef," complete with a plastic barbecue fork and weenie. In 1993, "Earring Magic Ken" burst onto the scene wearing a lavender vest and a ring pendant.

-- COMPILED BY SUZETTE LALIME AND LORI LEIBOVICH

Sources: All Things Barbie; "Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll" by M.G. Lord, Avon Books, 1995; "Kid's Stuff: Great Toys From Our Childhood" by David Hoffman, Chronicle Books, 1996
SALON | Nov. 26, 1997