Strange Details About Barbie Have Us Rethinking Our Childhood

“Life in plastic, it’s fantastic,” Aqua famously sang in their 1997 monster hit “Barbie Girl.” And after more than 60 years as the world’s favorite doll, Mattel’s finest would certainly vouch for that. But how much do you really know about the blonde icon? From real names to rebound relationships, here’s a look at 40 more obscure Barbie facts that might make you see Ken’s other half in a whole new light.

40. She was inspired by paper dolls

You mightn’t know her name, but Barbara Handler’s an integral part of the Barbie story. As a youngster, she’d spend much of her playtime creating her own world with paper dolls. And this gave her mother Ruth, who alongside father Elliot founded Mattel, the inspiration to launch a new doll that’d be entirely 3-D.

39. Barbie isn’t her real name

Like many globe-conquering superstars, Barbie was born with an entirely different name. Yes, the doll was christened Barbara Millicent Roberts, in honor of creator Ruth Handler’s daughter. Not that this gesture was particularly appreciated at the time. In a 1989 interview with People magazine, the very human Barbara revealed, “I did not like it. It is very strange to have a doll named after you.”

38. She was designed by an aerospace engineer

You could say that the original Barbie’s main designer may have been a little overqualified. Jack Ryan was a Yale graduate who’d previously spent many years in the field of aerospace. Even more remarkably, the man was partly responsible for the design of government missile systems Sparrow III and Hawk!

37. Her designer married Zsa Zsa Gabor

The eventful life of Barbie designer Jack Ryan continued in 1975 when he walked down the aisle with screen icon Zsa Zsa Gabor. Sadly, though, by this point his partnership with Mattel had significantly soured. In fact, Jack later ended up suing the toy giant in a royalties case that was eventually resolved outside the courtroom.